Crate Training Your Pit Bull Terrier Dog

Before crate training your Pit Bull puppy, you’ll need to
acquire a crate. There are many types and variations of crates
available for purchase. It is important to pick the type of
crate that will best suit the needs of both you and your puppy.

You should also take into consideration the size of your dog
now, and how large he may be when fully grown to avoid having to
purchase more than one crate. It is also important to remember
that the crate will be his own individual space, and you want to
make it as comfortable as possible so that your Pit Bull will
enjoy his time there.

Since the puppy will be spending a lot of time in his crate, you
should put several of his favorite toys and treats in the crate
for him. Keep in mind that any toy you purchase should be large
enough for the dog not to be able to swallow it, to avoid any
injury to your pet. Having toys to chew own will not only give
the dog something to chew that he can’t destroy, but it will
help to prevent boredom while he is in the crate.

Due to the strength of the Pit Bull, it is important to purchase
tough toys that are made to last. They tend to really like Kong
toys, and they can be stuffed with treats, which will usually
keep him interested at least for a couple of hours, or until he
gets all the treats. You can also purchase bones and toys that
are especially made for Pit Bulls, they are tougher and usually
safer for them to have than regular toys and bones. Regular
bones, such as rawhide bones, can be dangerous for Pit Bulls,
because they are strong enough to chew off bits of bone and get
them lodged in their digestive tract.

If your Pit Bull will be spending more than two hours in the
crate, it is a good idea to equip it with a water bottle in case
he gets thirsty. Many pet stores sell the same type of water
bottles that are used for hamsters or gerbils, just in larger
sizes. These tend to work well in the Pit Bull’s crate.

You should also put some kind of bedding in the crate to help
your Pit Bull puppy be more comfortable. Old towels or soft
blankets usually suit this purpose very well. Occasionally Pit
Bull puppies will chew their bedding, if this happens, be sure
to remove all the pieces so that the puppy doesn’t swallow them.
If the puppy wets his bedding, just remove it until the puppy
stops using his crate as a bathroom, then put it back in.

Since the crate is your Pit Bull’s own private space, it is
important not to let children or visitors play with him while he
is in his crate. He should be left alone to play or rest as he
likes. If someone wants to play with him, he should be taken out
of his crate first. You want your Pit to like being in his
crate, and feel comfortable spending time there.