Crate Do's and Don'ts

Do-

• Praise your dog when he enters his crate.

• Provide water, except at night.

• Give a "chewable," sucha s a Nylabone or dog toy except at night. (No socks, please.)

• Cover the crate with a towel to make it dark and more den-like.

Don't-

• Ever, ever leave a collar on a crated animal.

• Use the crate for punishment.

• Crate the dog for too long at a time.

Chewing

Obviously, the crate can eliminate problems with chewing furniture and household items.  The best solution to chewing problems is preventing the habit from developing in the first place.  Sounds simple, but it means eliminating those things the puppy can chew from his environment and giving him chewables.   Lastly, supervise, supervise.

If the pup has hold of your favorite scarf, shoe, etc., don't chase him for it.  Chasing after a pup, only to rip an object from his mouth teaches him to run and hide with a new and enticing object.

Instead, when you see a pup with something he isn't supposed to have, call him in a cheerful voice, arms wide open.  Praise him well for bringing the object to you.  Gently remove the object from his mouth.  Put it away, and give him his chewable object.  Praise him for chewing on it.  Soon, you will find your pup proudly bringing you all objects he has found instead of hiding and chewing them up.

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