Tips on crate training a puppy

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Crate training a puppy can be valuable for a number of reasons. Being able to rest calmly in his crate is a skill that will serve your puppy well down the road. At the vet, when traveling, and if your puppy is ever ill and restricted on activities are times when a crate can really help your little pooch. In addition, a crate trained puppy is easier to teach rules to as well as train in other behaviors because he already knows how to understand what you want. Here are a few tips that may help you with the process of crate training a puppy.

How to Start

Crate training a puppy is about routine and rules. If you do it properly, there should actually be very few if any problems with the process. First of all, it is usually best to have the puppy spend time in the crate in your bedroom while you sleep. You can always start letting him out as he reaches adulthood, but for the purpose of crate training a puppy you should start with night time.

The Key To Success

Successfully crate training a puppy is about getting him to understand that when he is in the crate alone, nothing bad happens. In fact, good things may happen. He may get food in his crate or even some of his favorite toys. Never make the crate a punishment or somewhere the puppy has to go forcefully. Additionally, don’t put him in there when he is sleeping. If he wakes up suddenly confined, it can really create problems.

Make it a Pleasant Experience

Crate training a puppy is easier when the puppy finds the crate enjoyable. Make it a good place to take a rest, since puppies need plenty of sleep. Put a few of his safest chew toys in the crate along with a treat or two that will help him feel comfort and go sleep well. If your puppy enjoys the crate and can sleep there through the night, it will be better for you and him both.

Crate training a puppy is not hard, but it does take a little know how and a lot of patience. If, though, you take the time to follow the tips above and make the experience a good one for your puppy, you will find yourself with a dog that understands rules and offers you few behavior problems.

Dean Iggo is the webmaster of www.dogtrainingadvisor.com providing tips and advice to train your dog or puppy at home including obedience, potty training and more.

Do some Christmas Shopping and Help Save a Dog's Life

SHOP-A-PAW-LOOZA 2006 IS SET FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH!

On Sunday, November 12th, Humane Ohio is offering women all over the region a chance to escape from football watching husbands and kick-off the holiday shopping season, while helping a great cause!

Humane Ohio’s second annual Shop-A-PAW-Looza fundraiser will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2006 from 1 - 4 pm. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn French Quarter (on US 20 at I-75, exit #193) who, along with Bennett Enterprises, generously donated the use of the venue. Admission is free. Complimentary food and refreshments, holiday music and door prizes will be provided, and the event will feature a variety of consultants who will be donating a percentage of their sales to Humane Ohio:

• Arbonne Skin Care Products
• Cookie Lee Jewelry
• George Carruth
• Curbs Candles
• The Happy Soul
• Home Interiors
• Million Wishes of the Jones Apparel Company
• Pampered Chef
• Premier Designs High Fashion Jewelry
• Shure Pets
• Southern Living at HOME
• Tastefully Simple
• Tupperware
and more!

If you cannot attend the event, you can still place orders and help Humane Ohio! Humane Ohio benefits from all orders placed, regardless of whether or not they're placed at the actual event! Orders will be accepted until Sunday, November 19th and will be back in early December.

For more information and to download consultants’ catalogs, please visit www.humaneohio.org, or contact Jill Borkowski at jill@humaneohio.org or 419-367-6828 and request that hard copies of the catalogs be mailed to you.

Humane Ohio’s low cost spay/neuter clinic will fix 5,000 dogs and cats this year alone, offering low-cost pricing to stray cat caretakers, over 16 rescue group and shelter partners, and people on limited income. Our Web site, www.humaneohio.org, provides a central location to get information on animal issues including lost and found, adoptions, and behavior issues. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, we are funded on private donations from individuals and businesses in our community and Northwest Ohio Community Shares (a workplace giving campaign).