Many people associate a crate for their puppy with a cage for punishment and think it’s a mean way to confine the dog.   This is soooo wrong!   Your pup’s crate is his den, his place of security, his bedroom, his own personal space, and his safe room.  

Crate training is based on the premise that puppies are unlikely to eliminate in or near an area used for resting (their den).   It is also a safe area for your pup when you can not directly attend to him, for example when you go to work or when you are sleeping.   You can’t possibly watch your puppy around the clock, so the crate keeps them from chewing wires, swallowing something dangerous, or urinating on the floor when you aren’t watching.  

     Your crate must be solidly constructed, easily cleaned, and the right size for your pup.   If he is a giant breed puppy this may mean several size crates, or one that can be partitioned off to accommodate his growing size.   The crate should be large enough to stand and turn around easily, but not so large that he can eliminate in the back and get away from it.  

     To introduce your pup to its crate, associate the crate with positive things such as food or play.   Leave the door open so he can roam in and out at will.   Play with your pup by tossing favorite toys into the crate for it to retrieve.

Place food and water in the crate to encourage your pet to consider it a safe place.   (This will also decrease the likelihood that your pup will soil inside the cage.)   Always start with short intervals of confinement and gradually increase to longer periods.   For young puppies the maximum time is four hours.   Let him out when he is calm and quiet; don’t reward him by letting him out while he is having a temper tantrum.

     The crate is your pup’s special place where he must never be disturbed or feel threatened.   The crate must never be linked with punishment.   Do not place your pup in the crate or try to remove him from the crate when you are angry.   A dog that is threatened in his crate might  aggressively resist leaving it and may bite.   Teach your puppy to willingly leave the crate with a cheerful “Come here”.   If your puppy gets rewarded when he goes into the crate (toy or treat), then, when leaving it, he will associate only good things with this crate.

So the crate not only serves as a security spot, a safe haven, and a personal space area, but it also gets your pet used to being caged if he ever needs to be hospitalized or boarded.   This is a win-win situation for all.