CRATE-TRAINING YOUR PET: HOUSE BREAKING MADE EASY

Contrary to what many believe, crates are not cruel; in fact, they allow home provision for more than one pet, while establishing some needed order during special situations such as when guests visit or stay overnight. None of my pets stay in crates full time; however, all of them are crated at one time or the other, when crating is the appropriate action needed to maintain order in the home.

CRATING STARTED AT AN EARLY AGE

The secret to having your dog or cat accept crating when needed, is to introduce him or her to the crating process as a puppy or kitten. Once your pet is accustomed to being confined to a crate, when needed, he or she will not feel punished, or be fearful when crated. Crates are also an excellent way to house train your animals.

HOUSE TRAINING PUPPIES USING CRATES

To use a crate to house train your puppy, you must purchase a crate that is only large enough for him or her to stand up inside, and be able to turn around in. If the crate is any larger than that, your puppy will simply use the bathroom in one area of the crate, and stay in another area. Crate Training works for house breaking, because even puppies do not like to use the bathroom in the same place where they also spend most of their time.

It is important to remember that puppies do not have full control of their muscles, and must be taken outside more often; however, even adult dogs should not be crated for over four to six hours in a single setting. For puppies, a good rule of thumb is to only leave the puppy crated for as many hours as he or she is months old, between bathroom trips outside. For instance, a two months old puppy, should be allowed to go outside to potty every two hours. A puppy who is one month old or younger, should be taken out every hour, or more frequently. It is best to take the puppy outside to potty within 15 minutes of his or her last feeding, and crate him only after he has used the restroom the initial time after his meal. Then follow the time guidelines suggested above.

GENERALIZING THE HOUSE TRAINING TO INCLUDE YOUR ENTIRE HOME

Once your puppy has learned that he or she is to use the bathroom outside, preferably in the same location each time, you are halfway there; however, it might take a little additional work to generalize your puppy's concept of your entire house as his den, a place in which he will be present, and not desiring to do his business. You might start by allowing him to roam freely in only one section of the house, in your presence, as you watch closely for circling and sniffing behavior that indicates he or she is about to eliminate. Anytime you notice such behavior, you should take him or her outside immediately. Gradually expand his or her play area, until it includes your entire home. At that point, only use the crate as needed, but be careful never to use it as a punishment for bad behavior, as you might need to use it for other purposes, and want your dog to view it as a place he or she does not object to being for short periods of time.

HOUSE TRAINING KITTENS OR ADULT CATS BY USE OF A CRATE OR CAT CAGE

Huge cages are available for cats, and are useful for keeping inside cats from going outside when doors are opened; however, they can also help kittens or older cats learn to use a litter box.  Place the cat inside the cage with the litter box also present within the cage.  It is best to have some cat poop in the litter box, so the cat will smell the poop, and identify the smell with bathroom going.  This is especially effective for an older cat who might have had an accident somewhere else in your home; he or she will continue to revisit that area, without prompting to form a new habit.  Once the cat has grown accustomed to using the litter box, he or she will continue to do so outside of the cage.  I have used this technique to house train stray and older outside cats with much success.  It is foolproof.  Note that large cat cages are best, that allow the cats to jump and play on multiple levels.  Unlike dogs or puppies, they do not require that the crate be only large enough for them to stand up in, and turn around inside.

WHEN DOGS MUST BE CRATED FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME

First of all, never use the crate as a form of punishment or correction.  Secondly, keep some of your dog's toys in the crate that he or she can only play with while being crated.  If you suspect you will be away from home for a few hours, you might provide your dog with a new chew toy, or bone for his or her enjoyment.  The trick is to cause your dog to associate crating with something positive.  My dogs associate going inside the crate with special treats.  If I say,"Lets crate up," they go charging for their crates before I get the words out of my mouth good, because they know a treat will follow.  It's all about associations, so teach your pet to associate crates with good experiences, not bad.  In this way, the crate can be a useful tool to establish order, not a cruel or inhumane device inside which your pet is unhappy and sad.