Crate: Helping Dog Owners Solve Housebreaking Problems

A lot of dog owners nowadays are struggling to solve housebreaking problems. While gentle and humane methods to solve the problem are often effective, some tend to use drastic methods due to frustration and the desire to have a reliably house trained pet in no time.

To achieve the desired behavior, a dog owner can choose a method that is appropriate for the pet. It could be training through constant supervision or training with the use of housebreaking aids such as paper or crate. Combining both methods also works fine.

Effective as it is, there are quite a few issues buzzing around crate training. Some people believe that using a crate in housebreaking or any other training in general is being inhumane and therefore should not be used on dogs. But contrary to that belief, using crate is in fact one of the most efficient and effective ways to train a puppy or dog.

Why? First, because dogs are den dwelling creatures. They would love to retreat into their dens to seek warmth during cold weather or feel cool during sunny days. They consider their den as their home in which they are safe from harm. Crates should therefore look and feel like home - not cages!

Second, dogs are naturally clean animals and will try not to soil their crates as much as possible. Placing your dog inside the crate will help your dog control his bladder or bowel until he is taken out to potty at the appropriate spot. Puppies need to be taken out more often than older dogs because they have limited control of their bowels and bladder. Doing so helps your pup develop regular potty schedule.

Crates come in various styles and materials. You can buy one from your local pet supply store, hardware or pet section in some department stores. When buying a crate for your dog, you have to consider your dog's needs and your purpose for buying a crate. For traveling, you may want to consider buying a plastic crate and wire crates for dogs that are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Size is another important thing to consider. Buying a new create when he has outgrown the old one costs a lot of money. It would be a wise idea to buy a large create and block the excess part to prevent him from soiling the other end while keeping the other end clean for him to stay.

Be consistent and determined when housebreaking your dog using crate. You will soon say goodbye to your housebreaking problems when you do so...