Now that you have your crate, the other things that I would recommend to get before you start your puppy crate training are some toys, a mat for the bottom of the crate, an odor neutralizer (available at most pet stores) and some puppy treats. You might want to obtain some toys that are safe to throw in the crate with your puppy, so it feels more calm inside. Never put your pup in the kennel as a reprimand so that it won’t enjoy being inside.
Toys in the crate should be screened to only very safe toys that your puppies will not splinter apart or swallow. Most of the commercially available dog toys are acceptable such as the hard rubber toys or pressed bones. Don’t utilize stuffed animals, or plastic toys that squeak! These can be a choking hazard to you puppies because they break apart real easy. You could get 1 of the hard toys made of rubber, in which they have a hole in the middle so that you could place some pup treats or kibble inside. This will help your puppy adjust to the new crate and help to keep them quiet in the beginning stages of puppy crate training.
Getting a mat for the bottom of the kennel is just to provide a nice comfortable spot for your puppy to lay on, instead of the hard plastic bottom of the crate. You want something that is easy to clean, but not something that your puppy can chew apart.
The odor nutralizer should be used to wipe up the area of carpet or flooring that your puppy went to the bathroom on. You are able to adequately clean the scene of the crime from your puppy with this. This will take away the smell from the pee or poop so your pup won’t be drawn back to use that spot over again. A lot of household disinfectants have ammonia in the ingredients, which is horrible to use on your puppy’s accident, and could intice your puppy to the same area as before.
You should use some different types of things as treats for your puppies. Most treats in the stores are perfectly fine, but with treats made of natural ingredients becoming more popular on the shelves, I would sway that way. It is healthier for your pup, specially in it’s ample growth stage. You want to start your puppy crate training by tossing a few treats in the cage and giving your puppy a command such as “Crate” or “Kennel” as it goes in after the treats. This will draw your pup into the crate and get excited for it’s prize. When your puppy starts getting excited about being in the crate, it means that it is starting to put the crate and treats together as one.
If you use a phrase or word that means go inside the crate to your puppies, then before long they will know what you want them to do. If you use a phrase or word that means go inside the crate to your puppies, then before long they will know what you want them to do. When your ready for your dog to go in the crate, you can simply give the command and your dog will go in on it’s own and wait patiently for some treats.
