Crate training has a number of important advantages:

Security: a contented dog spends time sleeping, grooming, or chewing a favorite toy ( we recommend the Kong toys as a great "puppy pacifier") in a secure favorite location.

Safety: Since dogs, especially puppies, have a strong desire to investigate and chew, the crate, like a child's playpen, is an excellent way to keep a dog safe when the owner can't supervise. Dogs which are allowed to investigate may get into medicine chests, diaper pails, garbage cans, kitty litter, etc. Some dogs have even gone through drywall or glass windows trying to escape their home.

Prevent Costly Damage: With their instinctual desire to chew, investigate, dig, escape, scavenge, and of course, eliminate, dogs are capable of doing a great deal of damage. A secure, inescapable confinement area can prevent costly damage.

Prevent Behavior Problems: Besides preventing destructive behaviors, crate training can also prevent barking at doors and windows, jumping onto furniture or counters, housesoiling, and entering inappropriate rooms or areas of the house.

Correct Behavior Problems: In order to correct problem behavior, the dog must be supervised so that proper behavior can be rewarded and undesirable behavior can be punished. Since no owner is capable of 24 hour monitoring, the dog should be kept in a confined area, such as a crate, when the owner is not available to supervise.

Train Proper Chewing And Elimination: Since most dogs will not soil their "den", crate training is one of the best ways to teach a dog to control elimination. The dog a can be directed to chew on appropriate objects by placing selected toys (again Kong toys are great for this) in the crate.

Reduce Barking: Another common problem is crying when the owner and puppy are separated (especially nighttime). Using crate-training techniques, the puppy can be taught to spend time alone in its crate. Some owners may prefer to allow their puppies to sleep in their bedroom (in the crate) where it is less likely to vocalize.

Improved Dog/Owner Relationship: Since crate trained puppies require less discipline for misbehavior, cause less problems and frustration for the owners, and are much less likely to cause damage, the pet-owner bond will be stronger.

Traveling: Since most crates are collapsible or portable, they can be taken on trips to securely and safely house the dog. A metal collapsible crate with a tray floor works well as long as the crate is large enough for the dog to stand, turn, and stretch out. Some dogs feel more secure if a blanket is draped over the crate. Playpens or barricades may be successful as long as they are indestructible and escape proof.

Because dogs are social animals, an ideal location for the crate is a room where the family spends time such as a kitchen, den, or bedroom rather than an isolated laundry or furnace room.

For the crate to remain a positive, enjoyable treat, the dog should never be placed in the crate for punishment. If time-out is used as punishment, a washroom, laundry room, or basement can be used for social isolation.
A radio or television may help to calm the dog when it is alone. They also help make environmental noises which can stimulate the dog to vocalize. Introduce the puppy to the crate as soon as it is brought home and as early in the day as possible. The crate should be open so that the puppy can voluntarily enter the crate for food, water, toys, or shelter. By making all crate experiences pleasant, the puppy should feel secure and comfortable in its crate.

Choose an outdoor location for the puppy to eliminate. A short direct route is best. Take the puppy to its location, wait until the puppy eliminates, and reward the puppy lavishly with praise or food. After some play and exercise, place the puppy in its crate with water, a toy, and a treat, and close the door.

Leave the room but remain close enough to hear the puppy. It is normal for pups to cry or whine when separated from their "pack". Escape behavior and vocalization are to be expected when a dog is first placed into its crate. If the escape behavior is short or mild, ignore the dog until the crying stops. Never let it out unless it is quiet. This teaches that quiet behavior will be rewarded and that crying cannot make the owner return.

Punishment may be necessary if crying does not subside on its own. For punishment to be successful, it must be harsh enough to stop the behavior and withdrawn as soon as the dog is quiet. A shaker can ( a sealed can filled with coins or marbles) can be tossed at the crate when the pup barks. Other types of punishment include water sprayers or loud sounds (alarm, air horn, Barker Breaker, Yapper Zapper, Pet Agree). If possible, the owner should remain out of sight when administering punishment. By plugging in the alarm, tape recorder, Water Pik, or hair dryer, placing it beside the crate and turning it on by using a remote control switch each time the dog barks, the dog can be taught that barking leads to punishment whether the owner is present or not. When the barking ceases, the punishment is stopped. Bark collars and alarms that go off automatically each time the dog barks are also available for persistent or difficult problems. Any type of punishment must be used with caution, however, since it can exacerbate the vocalization problem of a very anxious pet.

Place the puppy in its crate a few times before the end of the day. Each time, increase the time that the dog must stay in the crate before letting it out. Give the puppy exercise and a chance to eliminate before locking it in the crate.