Dog crate training is a popular method of housetraining. A crate represents a den for your dog. Using a crate to train your dog teaches him that the human den (the house) is to be kept clean and is a place of comfort.

Crate size should enable your dog to stand up and lie down stretched to full body length. If you purchase a wire dog crate for a puppy buy a divider panel to adjust the size as your puppy grows. If the crate is too big, he may eliminate in one corner, and then go to another corner to sleep.

Dog crates are a way to prevent housetraining accidents and keep your dog safe when you can not watch him or when you leave your house without him. The crate should not be used for excessive periods of time and should not be used as punishment. By leaving the crate door open, many dogs will go into their crate to rest or hang out.

Provide lots of daily companionship, playtime, and exercise while crate training.

A crate can help reduce separation anxiety, prevent destructive behavior, and be a mobile indoor dog house moved from room to room.

A kennel-type crate also serves as a travel cabin for your dog when traveling by car, train, ship, or airplane. Most hotels that accept dogs require them to be crated while in the room to prevent damage to hotel furniture and carpets. If your dog is accustomed to sleeping in a crate, it will be less traumatic if he can sleep in his familiar crate. Taking your dog to the veterinarian, groomer, or on a family vacation trip with his crate will ease his anxiety.

Crate training video and crate training information provided by The Humane Society of the United States: http:/www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/crate_training.html

Introduce Your Dog to the Crate
Drop small pieces of kibble or dog biscuits in the crate throughout the day. While checking out the crate, your dog will discover delicious treats, creating a positive association with the crate. Feed him in the crate to create the same effect.

Water should be in a bowl or if he's still a puppy use a small hamster-type water dispenser attached to the crate.

Create a soft comfortable bed with a towel or washable blanket. Place the crate near you or in a central location when you are home to encourage your dog to go inside the crate. Leave the crate door open so your dog can go in and out by himself.

Offer meals in front of the crate, then inside the doorway, and progress to the back of the crate.

Praise and pet your dog when he enters the crate, but don't push, pull or use force. At bedtime place your dog in his crate and shut the door. Ideally the crate is placed near your bed. If this is not possible, place the crate in the kitchen, bathroom, or living room. Covering the crate at night with a lightweight small sheet can help reduce anxiety (similar to covering a bird's cage at night).

Crate your dog for short periods while you are home. In the beginning, walk out of the room for a few minutes and then come back in - do this several times. This prevents an association with the crate and being left alone.

Very young puppies under 9 weeks should not be crated, as they need to eliminate often (usually 8 - 12 times or more daily). Puppies under 4 months of age have very little control so don't expect complete success.

Remove your dog's collar before confining in the crate or use a safety "break away" collar.

Make sure your dog has fully eliminated (both pee and poop) shortly before being crated.

Accidents in the Crate
If your puppy eliminates in his crate while you are out, do not punish him when you come home. Wash out the crate using a pet odor neutralizer such as Natures Miracle or a mixture of one part white vinegar to one part water. Do not use ammonia-based products, because the odor resembles urine.

Crate and Punishment
Don't use the crate as a form of punishment or reprimand for your dog. He will fear and resent the crate. If correctly introduced to his crate, your dog should be happy to go into his crate at any time. You can use the crate as a brief time-out as a way of discouraging nipping or rowdiness.

Children and Crates
Do not allow children to play in your dog's crate or to handle your dog while he is in the crate. The crate is your dog's private place. His rights to privacy need to be respected.

Barking, Crying, and Whining in the Crate
In most cases a dog who cries incessantly in his crate has either been crated too soon or is suffering from separation anxiety and is anxious about being left alone.

Dog Crate Materials and Styles

The basic styles sold are rigid crates that come fully and permanently set up, take-apart crates in sections for transport or storage, and collapsible (folding).

Dog Crate Brands