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Crate Training is a training technique used to house train dogs. A crate is a small kennel that can be closed off and is usually made out of plastic or steel wire. Crate training benefits both the dog and its owner.

Crate training is based around the fact that dogs don’t like to use there den’s as a toilet. As dogs spend a lot of time inside a crate during crate training, they learn to resist the urge to pee until they are out of the crate - this building up their ability to control when and where they pee.

During crate training, a puppy will spend almost all its time inside its crate. The puppy will only be allowed out of the crate during feeding time and when it is being supervised. Whenever the puppy is let out of its den (crate) it should be taken to the designated toilet area immediately.

A plastic crate that has a wire door is probably the most useful type of crate as it is light to carry and easy to clean. The ideal crate should be about one and a half times your dog?s body length and allow 2 ? 3 inches of room above your dogs head when it?s in the standing position. Crates that are bigger than this should be shortened (block one end off) as they will allow sufficient room for your dog to go to the toilet.

When crate training your puppy; best results are achieved when toilet breaks are frequent and at consistent intervals. This will minimize the number of accidents. Little by little you can extend the time your puppy is inside the crate without a break as the puppy will slowly build up bladder control.

It is very important that you build up a positive association of the crate. You can do this by feeding your dog close to (eventually inside) the crate and by rewarding your puppy’s good behaviour by giving it treats inside the crate. Make the crate more comfortable for your puppy by putting its favourite toys and a soft blanket inside the crate.

Never use the crate as a prison or place of punishment ? this will seriously set you back in your crate training efforts. Try not to leave your dog in the crate for long periods of time as this may cause you dog to eventually fear the crate.

On the whole crate training is a very effective method for house training a dog. It is not universally accepted though. Some experts claim that dogs and puppies become too attached to the crate after spending so much time inside.

If you are considering house training a dog, you will benefit from using an in-depth guide such as the one mentioned below. A professional crate training guide will save you a lot of time and energy and your dog will be trained much faster.