After a productive day of play, even the most energetic puppies need rest. Your small dog will need a safe and comfortable environment where they can rest and recharge their batteries. That's why many dog handlers and pet parents rely on night cage training to keep puppies safe when they can't be actively supervised. Smaller puppies cannot be left in a cage for 8 hours.
Physically, puppies can't hold their bladder long enough, and it's not fair to ask for it. A good rule of thumb to follow is one hour at the checkout for each month of age. A three-month-old puppy should be fine in the box for three hours. Puppies should sleep in their cages at night, as this helps them learn to sleep through the night.
Place the crate directly next to your bed at the beginning of training so that your puppy doesn't feel lonely or scared, and can easily wake you up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. The cages make it easy to safely transport your dog by car or by air during long-distance trips or vacations. Cage training makes long car trips more enjoyable for both humans and dogs. Crates allow dogs to lie down and sleep without distracting the driver.
It is especially important for a dog to know how to behave in a cage during a flight, since dogs must be on airplanes. You should avoid sedating dogs during air travel, as the American Veterinary Medical Association advises that sedation may increase the risk of heart or respiratory problems. Many dogs cannot be completely trusted until they are close to two years of age. We recommend caging your dog at night until it reaches this milestone.
If you can leave your dog alone at home without caging it for a few hours, then you can leave it out of its crate for the night. Place the box in an area of your home where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Place a soft blanket or towel in the box. Take your dog to the cage and talk to him in a happy tone of voice.
Make sure the door of the box is wide open, so it doesn't hit your dog or scare him. Cage training helps older dogs deal with health problems by providing them with a resting place to rest their joints or taking frequent naps, avoiding wandering at night, and facilitating transportation to vet appointments. On the other hand, a cage that is too small for your puppy often results in him not being able to calm down and whine or bark. It promotes calm and relaxation for dogs and can help your puppy feel more relaxed and secure, and it is one of my favorites for introducing a puppy to a new home and helping him settle in.
A box that is the right size (read more about the size below) encourages the dog's instinct not to get into the sleeping place, helping teach the dog bladder and bowel control. For rescue dogs, a cage provides a safe space to adapt to their new environment, as well as the luxury of not having to fight for their own space. I usually place a box right next to my bed; it helps teach puppies to sleep in the crate if you're right next to them and they don't feel so lonely. Also, if you plan to have a lot of guests in your house, a crate is a great place to keep your puppy so they don't feel overwhelmed by all the commotion.
In addition to the value of a cage at home, having a dog trained in cages is wonderful when you are traveling, when your dog needs to go to the vet or groomer, or if you plan to compete in a dog sport. Your puppy's cage training takes advantage of the dog's natural instincts to find a comfortable, quiet and safe place when the environment around him becomes too noisy or overwhelming. In addition, when traveling by plane or long distance in a car or recreational vehicle, a box will be required to keep Fido safe. As such, the cage helps puppies learn to support and strengthen the muscles of the bladder and intestines, making breaking into the house less of a chore for you and your dog.
In your cage training practice, pay attention to when you open the door to let your puppy out of his crate. Cage training also teaches excitable puppies and dogs to wait and enjoy free time, and conditions a relaxed behavior. If simple and consistent changes to the potty training process don't solve the problems, or if they happen frequently, it's definitely time to have an exam with your veterinarian to see if there are any medical problems. .
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