What is Crate Training?

Dear New PON Puppy Owner:
A PON puppy is extremely intelligent and one of the easiest dogs to train. They enjoy the security and like to have a place to call their own.

Each year thousands of good pets are mistreated, abused, isolated, or abandoned by their owners because their owners were unable to deal with the behavioral problems of their pets.

Used correctly a crate can be as valid a training tool as a dog leash. Please consider the use of crate training to give your new puppy the optimum opportunity of becoming a secure, loved and devoted family member.

What is a Dog Crate? A dog "crate" is the general term referring to a rectangular enclosure consisting of a top, a floor, 3 sides, and a door.  Crates can be constructed of wire, wood, metal, molded plastic or a combination of these materials.  The purpose of a crate is to provide a secure short-term confinement area for safety, housebreaking, and protection of household goods, travel, illness, or general control.

Why Would I Need A Crate? Correctly and humanely used, a dog crate can have many advantages for both you and your new PON puppy.  With the use of a crate you can:

Enjoy complete peace of mind when leaving your puppy home alone, secure in your knowledge that you will not discover anything soiled or damaged upon your return, and that your puppy is comfortable, safe, and not getting into any bad habits.

Because dogs tend not to soil where they sleep - housebreaking your puppy can become easier. The close confinement of the crate encourages control, helps to establish a routine for outdoor elimination, and can help avoid "accidents" during the night or when left alone.

Create an area to confine your puppy at those times when his curiosity can be detrimental such as getting underfoot at meal time, or during family activities, or when you have guests.

Travel safely - the driver won't be distracted, in the event that the driver has to hit the brakes the puppy will not be thrown about the car.

Your puppy can:
Enjoy the security of his "den" - his own place to retreat when tired, or ill.
Can avoid the confusion and punishment resulting from problem behavior.
Can more easily learn bowel and bladder control, and to associate elimination with going outdoors.
Can be spared the isolation of being in a basement, garage, or the backyard.
Can be included in family outings - rather than left alone or in a boarding kennel.

You want your PON to be part of your family and to show appropriate behavior.  Your PON wants to please you.  A dog crate can help you to develop the bond and relationship you both desire.

USE a Crate - Don't ABUSE a Crate

A dog crate is not recommended for a dog that will routinely be left alone all day.  If long term crating is to be attempted, the dog must be well exercised both before and after crating, the dog will also need lots of personal attention, and should be allowed freedom at night (even sleeping near his owner).  It is also critical that the crate be large enough to enable the dog to fully stretch out and freedom of movement.  Under ideal circumstances, if you can arrange to have someone provide an exercise and attention period during the day; the crate retains it's "den" attributes as opposed to solitary confinement.

To be a well adjusted family member the PON needs human contact, whether the animal is crated or not, your new puppy needs play time, training time, and a time to simply relax in the company of the family to which he is a part (his pack).

What Kind of Crate Should I Get?
Our first crate recommendation is the vari-kennel style plastic crate; usually the intermediate size will be good into adulthood. This crate is mostly closed with some side vents and provides a secure, den-like feeling for your new puppy. It also a good crate for traveling or just to keep in the car. As the puppy grows into adulthood we recommend a wire crate as their coat will become fuller and the wire crate offers better ventilation.

How Big Should The Crate Be?
The crate should be long enough to allow the dog to lay down stretched out flat on his side, and tall enough to allow the dog to sit up without hitting his head.  When in doubt, get the next larger size.  It is always better to have a crate that is too large as opposed to one that is too small.

Crate Location
Since the primary reason for using a crate is to confine the dog without isolating him, the crate should be placed in, or as close as possible, to a "people area".  Areas such as the kitchen, family room etc.  The crate should be positioned in a corner or have the sides and back loosely draped with a sheet or towel in order to enhance its den like appearance for the puppy.  The crate location should also be free from drafts and not too near a direct heat source.

Crating A Puppy
A young puppy should normally adjust well to a crate as being his "own place."  Any initial complaints he might voice are not normally due to the crate, but rather about his learning to accept the controls associated with his unfamiliar environment. The crate will help him to adjust to his new world more easily and quickly, since he is being introduced to this new world only a small portion at a time.

Crating Routine
With the crate situated in its location, the crate needs to be furnished. Bedding can be provided by using an old towel or piece of blanket which can be washed (should an accident occur) and some worn unlaundered article of clothing such as a tee shirt, or old shirt (to help familiarize him with your scent).

Make it clear to children that the crate is not a "playpen" for them; it is the puppy's room.  You should, however accustom the puppy from the start that people can reach into the crate at any time, so that the puppy does not become overly protective of his crate.

A "crate routine" should be established immediately, closing the puppy in the crate at regular intervals for 1 to 2 hours during the day. The puppy's nap times will help guide you in establishing these times. Additionally, whenever the puppy must be left alone for a period of time, or is going to be unsupervised the pup should be crated. Prior to crating, be sure to remove the pup's collar which could become caught in an opening.

There may be setbacks - but don't give up - the keys are consistency and perseverance. The pup will adjust to the routine - you will have a secure well adjusted companion.

If you do not choose, or not able, to use the crate permanently, you should plan on using the crate for at least up to the first year. At this age your pup will be past the teething phase - at which time you can start leaving the crate door open at night, or when someone is at home during the day, or when he is going to be left alone for a brief period of time.