Crate Training Your Toy Poodle

Afraid your dog will feel "confined" in a crate?

Not to worry.

A dog sees his or her crate as a den, a safe haven where dogs can "chill."

Our pets enjoy relaxing in their crates during the day when I am blogging, catching up on email, or working on other projects.

They relax. I work. Go figure.

Crates are also great for house training your puppy.

The idea is to let the puppy take a time-out in his crate with the door closed. The time-out allows your pet to establish some bladder and bowel control. Assuming the crate is just big enough to stand up, turn around, and lie down, your pet will do everything in his power not to soil the crate. That's the secret to successful crate training.

Besides choosing a properly sized crate, you need to establish a routine. For instance, your pet will have to "go" first thing in the morning and almost immediately after each meal, play session, or nap. The idea is to allow your pet to relieve herself during these times and then spend a time-out in the crate.

The rule of thumb is this: a puppy can safely spend one hour of crate time for each month of age. So a two-month old puppy can be expected to "hold" his bladder and bowels for two hours. After the allotted time, it is important to let your puppy out of her crate and immediately take her to the "designated spot" for relieving herself.

What's a designated spot? We'll talk more about house training methods for small dogs tomorrow. Meantime, start thinking of crates as the wonderful tools they are.

Until next time,

Dibs Darwin, Spokespoodle
Cape Rose Toy Poodles