Have you tried crate training puppies or dogs but been unsuccessful or do you intend trying to crate train your puppy in the near future?

If so then you may be missing what I believe to be the most important part of crate training puppies. When I first used a crate, or cage as some people call it, I didn't find it to be too successful. My dog was very reluctant to go into the crate and would sit as far away from it as possible.

He would even stay out of the room, where the crate was kept, only venturing in when every one else was in the room and settled.

At this point he would enter the room almost crouching as he passed the crate, at a distance, keeping his eye on the offending object all the time. Once safely past he would almost run to the far end of the room and settle down there still keeping a sheepish eye on the cage.

Treats and toys were put in the crate, I even got in there myself and tried to encourage him over but it was no good, he didn't like it and that, as far as he was concerned, was that.

Now you must remember this was some time ago and there was not so much information available for crate training puppies or dogs as there is now.

The pet store I purchased the crate from had given some basic advice which I thought I had followed. There were treats in the cage and it was in the room where the family gathered so my dog was made to feel he was still part of the family and not rejected. The crate was in a warm, draught free area and out of direct sunlight but none of this seemed to be much help, my dog did not like it!

Where was I going wrong?

Although I thought I was doing everything right there was obviously something I was doing wrong. I visited the local library but the books there were generally old and there wasn't much on dog training in general let alone crate training puppies. I even asked my veterinary, during a routine visit, but she gave similar advice to that given by the pet store.

I gave up trying to use the crate, it was making my pet unhappy and that was not what I wanted. With regret I disposed of the cage and returned to regular training methods. My dog was much happier and his training progressed well.

It was some time after this, when I bought another puppy and invested in a dog training course, that I discovered the subtle difference to my techniques that was required for successfully crate training puppies.

Although I had tried to make the crate comfortable for my pet and furnished it with treats and toys he had not felt totally safe and secure there. In the early days I had locked him in the cage on a couple of occasions when I was busy and he had been particularly boisterous. I had seen this as convenient, he had seen it as punishment.

This is something you should never do. Never use the crate as a prison or as punishment. You should ensure your puppy or dog sees his crate as his sanctuary, the place he can go to get some piece and quiet. There will be occasions when he is locked in but that should never be as punishment. In the wild wolves and dogs create dens where they feel safe and secure, this is what your pet's crate should be for him. Place a cover over the crate to give him a feeling of security and replicate the den he would have in the wild.

First create the den your dog desires and then the job of getting him to use it, as part of his training, will be accomplished far more successfully.