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The same way that you have a place of your own where you can be secure and away from the prying eyes of the world, your dog needs a location of its own where it can be safe and where it can have a high level of privacy. Your dog will not only have his own space if you make careful use of a wire or plastic "kennel" - or "crate" - but you will also be able to use it for housebreaking, to correct problem behaviors that occur when he cannot be supervised, and to provide a home away from home for him when you travel with him. Equally as essential is the fact that it may serve as a source of comfort for dogs that experience anxiety when they are left alone. Choose a cage that is just big enough so that your dog can stand up straight, turn around, and stretch out completely without feeling cramped. When housebreaking or traveling with pugs, I use a crate that has a length dimension of around 24 inches (standard size 200), and I use the next size up (300) when I'm using the cage at home. In spite of the fact that some individuals are able to and do utilize the smaller 100 size crate, I feel that it is insufficient for usage during the warmer summer months. The bottom of the crate may be covered with a blanket, towel, or rug (unless when you're using it for house training), and you should be sure to equip your pet with a NylaboneTM or another kind of firm rubber toy for "entertainment." It is recommended that the cage be placed in a calm and familiar part of the home, such as a bedroom, for the majority of dogs. You should make an effort to gratify the desire of your dog to be in close proximity to you at first. General Crate Training Rules The key to successfully training your pet is to introduce the crate to them in a progressive manner and to practice with them very often. Take your time and don't expect a puppy or even an adult dog to comprehend what you're doing the first time, even if some older dogs don't have any issues with crates once they are exposed to them. Puppies, on the other hand, are more likely to grasp what you're doing the first time. Especially when it comes to pugs, the use of tasty goodies like slices of cheese or hot dog will make the training process not only enjoyable but also straightforward. Be careful not to give your dog an overabundance of goodies, since this might cause gastrointestinal distress for your pet. Create a game out of each of the steps that are listed below. Before moving on to the next level, make sure the dog has mastered the previous steps by giving them extensive attention and practice. Keep in mind that every dog has his own unique personality, and because of that, the whole procedure may take a few days for some dogs and a few weeks for others. Exercise patience and carry out each procedure several times. It will work, and your patience will be rewarded with a well-behaved member of the family if you stick with it. If you go slowly and carefully during the training process, the vast majority of pups will quickly accept the crate with very little effort on your part. When it comes to older dogs, ensuring their comfort may need a little bit more patience and effort. First things first: Accustom your dog to going inside his crate on his own. Encourage him by giving him food and positive feedback. When you're training, you should be prepared to employ a variety of "voices," including one in which you say, "that was so nice," one in which you say, "oh nooooo," in a voice that is sad but not furious, and one in which you say, "NO!!! that's wrong stop immediately don't do that." There is also a deep, almost snarling "You'd best not" voice that may be used instead. Both of these voices are effective. It is important to train your voices so that your dog or puppy can identify the tone of your voice even if they do not comprehend the words. After that, put one or two goodies inside of the crate, put your dog inside of the crate, and then very briefly (for about five seconds) shut the door. Give him even more praise and gifts, then let him free immediately. Repeat the process until the young dog begins going inside the crate on its own to get the goodies and gazing in the crate on its own. (Leaving a treat somewhere while your dog isn't looking may be a fun game that ends with a surprise for both of you. hazard a guess as to what they discover when they check it out?) You want the dog to feel totally at ease with the notion of getting in and out of the crate whenever it's necessary. You may start linking the activity with the thing by using a particular term, such as "crate" or "kennel," for example. When the appropriate moment has come, you may call out "Crate!" and the dog will dash inside to sit and wait for his treat. The next thing you need to do is start shutting the door and leaving the room; once again, do this quickly at first (for no more than ten to fifteen seconds out of sight), then progressively increase the amount of time you spend out of sight (first one, then three, then five minutes). Now, when you return to release him, give him a gift and some praise. This is often the point at which the complaining starts. Dogs whine to grab your attention and to encourage you to visit them again and again. If you have to go back into the room to educate them, how are you going to teach them that complaining is ineffective if you have to go back into the room?! The solution is not to return as a kind and caring owner; rather, it is to enter with that harsh, low voice and shout, "Caution!" in an effort to get their attention "I don't like that! Don't be such a baby! No!!" Do not offer them a reward, and do not allow them out of the room. Maintain your icy and aloof demeanor, but DO NOT let them go. Prepare yourself to return to the room with a pleasant, "I'm so proud of you" voice, let them out, give them a reward, and act like everything is going well. If they were alright after one minute, and you had attempted two minutes, then go back to the first minute. You are providing positive reward for appropriate conduct, but you are providing negative reinforcement for inappropriate behavior. I have been known to return to the room with a rolled up magazine or a fly swatter and give the crate a harsh slap as a warning of my "rage" when the complaining is persistent. Continue from this point on, increasing the amount of time you spend outside of the room, momentarily opening and shutting the front door, and so on. In the end, you should build up to leaving the home for a few minutes, and then gradually increase the amount of time you spend outside. When you come back and let your dog out, greet him with a big enthusiastic hello and some tasty snacks. The secret lies in consistent practice. Important Tips Your progress will go much more quickly if you keep goodies inside the crate and leave the door of the crate open while it is not in use. This is supposed to make your dog feel more at ease. The crate should never be used as a form of discipline for any reason. You should never cram your dog into his cage out of frustration or because you want him to be out of the way. After that, they will only learn that being placed in the box is a sign that you are upset with them. When using any kind of crate, it is essential that you take off your dog's collar while they are inside the box to prevent them from being entangled in the cables or screws. When you let him out of the container, you should immediately put the collar back on him. Housebreaking with the Crate Crate training is an effective method for housebreaking a dog because, after the dog has accepted the crate as her private space, she will not typically eliminate or defecate inside of it. Be sure to take her outside to relieve herself before placing her in the crate, and again as soon as you take her out of the box. This will ensure that she does not have an accident inside the crate. Always remember to bring goodies with you so that you can instantly thank her for using the restroom in the location where she is meant to use it. Puppies need to go outdoors every two to three hours while they are awake. These visits should take place just after they wake up, after they play, after they snooze, and so on. As a general rule of thumb, a puppy is able to hold its bladder for about one hour for every month. This means that a puppy that is two months old (8 weeks old) has to go out to eliminate every two hours. A puppy that is four months old (sixteen weeks old) has to go outside to relieve itself every four hours! After 7 or 8 o'clock in the evening, take the water bowl out of your puppy's sleeping area so that they may sleep more soundly and worry-free till morning. If your plans call for the puppy to be left alone for an extended amount of time, you should position the crate in a confined space, such as a bathroom, with the door of the crate propped open and newspapers spread out on the floor of the bathroom. Baby gates are an effective means of preventing little pets from entering the restroom. Normal absences, such as those for work, may be handled in the crate when the dog is an adult as long as the crate training has been done in a way that the dog finds enjoyable.

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