Essential Rules Of Crate Training Your Cocker Spaniel Puppy

Follow these basic rules of crate training your puppy, and the process will run much more smoothly, particularly if your puppy's experiences in his crate are good ones!

Before you begin the training, make your puppy's crate as comfortable as you can to entice him to use it.

Placing a couple of soft dog blankets in the base should do the trick!

Leaving one of his favourite soft toys inside and occasionally throwing in a couple of small training treats will help too.

To stop your puppy from sleeping in one end of his crate and using the other end as his toilet, section off part of the crate so that he can't use it and, as your puppy grows, gradually increase the size of the usable area.

Basic Rules Of Crate Training

• One of the most important rules of crate training a puppy is never to force your puppy to go into his crate - this is really important!
• Never use your puppy's crate as a punishment or he might associate being crated with being punished and may come to resent his crate - if this happens, you'll only succeed in undoing any positive training you may have already achieved.
• Any frightening or negative experiences your puppy has while inside his crate, or during crate training, and you're going to have set-backs.
• Place your puppy into his crate whenever he falls asleep to teach him that his crate is for calm, peaceful times.
• Always remove your puppy's collar before leaving him alone in his crate - accidents can and do sometimes happen!
• Puppies under 10 weeks of age shouldn't be left alone in their crate for any longer than 30 minutes each day - unless, of course, they're asleep!
• Don't allow children to play in your puppy's crate.
• Encourage children not to bother the puppy when he's in his crate. Your puppy needs to feel that his crate is his own safe haven.
• Get into the habit of placing your puppy into his crate for short periods while you're around to help prepare him for being left alone for longer.
• Crate training your puppy shouldn't be onerous - keep the tone of your voice light and playful, make it sound fun!

Rules Of Crate Training - Where To Place The Crate?

Don't place your puppy's crate by draughty windows or doors.

If you can, place your puppy's crate in a corner. Apart from keeping him out of draughts, it will create a cosy, den-like feel to his crate and will help to make him feel more secure.

If you aren't able to place the crate in a corner, the next best thing is to drape a towel over it, leaving the entrance open.

What If My Puppy Cries To Be Let Out?

If you give him attention, you'll be teaching him that each time he wants to get out of his crate, all he needs to do is cry!

He will learn that by using his attention-seeking behaviour (his crying) he can manipulate you into doing what he wants - sneaky eh?

I recommend you take your puppy out to his toilet area as late as possible before he goes into his crate for the night.

If your puppy cries during the night, only let him out if you're sure he wants to pee, in which case, take him straight to his toilet area and stay with him until he does so.

If he doesn't do the business within 10 minutes bring him inside and place him back in his crate.

Don't play with him or make a fuss otherwise he'll want to play - the idea is to teach him that night-time is for sleeping!

Otherwise, if he cries during the night and you're certain that he's warm and comfortable - ignore him. I know it's easier said than done, but he'll soon drop off to sleep again.

Follow these basic rules of crate training and your Cocker Spaniel puppy will take to his crate quickly and without fuss.

A crated puppy is a contented puppy!

And, as an additional bonus, crate training can be very useful when potty training your puppy.

Once you've mastered the rules of crate training, and your puppy is fully housetrained, you're probably safe to let him have the run of certain areas of your home as you choose.

You'll probably find that your puppy will continue to use his crate because he likes it!

In any case, it's best to continue to use it as his overnight sleeping area, leaving the door open so that he can get out if he wants to, and has access to his water bowl.

Crate training your puppy will take time and patience - so take it slowly! If you follow these basic rules of crate training, things will run much more smoothly.

Good luck!

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