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House-Training Made Easy!

Introduction
The thought of housebreaking a puppy brings groans from some and complaints from others: but take heart, puppy owners. Housebreaking need not be a difficult or painful chore. With the right approach and some consistent effort. Your puppy can be housebroken faster than you ever dreamed possible. The keys to quick success are a training crate, a watchful owner and a consistent plan of action.

Before we get further into this subject, let's dispel any horrible thoughts of putting your dog - that trusted member of the family - that faithful companion - into a cage. As you've no doubt noticed, c-a-g-e is a four letter word. You don't put family into a cage. FORGET that word! From now on, think of the crate as the dog's very own den.

Canine species are den animals. That's why the family dog likes to relax in an out-of-the-way spots, such as under the kitchen table, under the bed or in the back of a closet - any place that has the feel of a den. If a dog has a crate in it's very own den-like spot, it derives a feeling of security from being in its crate.

Some animals use cages, such as hamsters, gerbils, and mice. These pets live their entire lives in cages for their own protection. Your dog is not going to live in it's crate. It will rest in it, sleep in it, travel in it, possibly even eat in it. When it is not doing those things in it's "den", it will be with the rest of its "pack" - its people.

The crate's first use is as the dog's bed, but it is also an excellent natural training tool. You wouldn't try to raise a baby without a crib. Why not give some thought to providing your puppy with a similar "safe place" while it grows and learns? Providing only a rug or mat, or an open dog bed gives a puppy too much freedom to find trouble. By putting the bed in a crate, the puppy is protected from such lures as electric cords and your new shoes. A crate will protect both your possessions and your dog.

Dog beds look wonderful, but most puppies (up to 2 years of age) chew the pretty ones to pieces! The attractive baskets and even the cute beds for toy breeds should be provided only for supervised napping while the dog is a puppy. Later you can extend their usefulness - but they will never replace the crate. When a dog needs a den, it needs a crate, not an open bed.

Next: Introducing the Crate