For some reason many people seem to think that crate training a puppy is a little unkind, when really the exact opposite is the case. Crate training your puppy is one of the best things you can do to help with puppy training.

Have a crate trained pup, will not only give him his own space, which is especially important if you have any other dogs in the house, but it will also assist him with his toilet training.

Before you think about crate training, you need to make sure that you are buying the correct type of crate. When you look for a crate, you must get one that is large enough for your dog once he is fully grown – he needs to be able to easily stand up and have some space to move around a little. A metal crate is probably going to be best for most breeds of dog.

To start crate training your puppy, line the crate with a pad, and put in a nice treat in there for him, he will soon go in to get out the treat. Repeat this several times, always making sure that the door is left open so he can get out easily. Each time he goes into the crate praise him, so it is a pleasant experience for him.

After a while you will need to close the door while he is busy with his treat. Stay by the crate and keep praising him, leave him in the crate for about 20 seconds, no longer. Then let him out without saying anything to him, and not giving him any praise just a little pat. Repeat this, leaving him in the crate with the door closed for longer periods, but not so long that he is going to get upset.

It’s always really important to end these training sessions on a high note.

Soon he will begin to think of the crate as his own, and will go in there of his own accord. Once he is totally relaxed going in the crate and you closing the door, try to leave the room for a minute or two. When you go back, don’t make a fuss, just open the door and let him out.

Once your dog is fully housetrained you could put in a bed or blanket for him instead of a pad.

The time you can leave him alone will gradually increase, but be careful not to treat the crate as a prison and leave him in there for hours at a time.

Having a crate trained puppy means you can go out for short period and leave him alone, not having to worry about coming back to a chewed up house. Your pup will always know you are going to come back to let him out, so will settle into his crate quite happily.