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    Dec 7, Crate Training Small Dogs: A Win-Win Situation for You and your Dog

    by Janice Jones     |Last Updated 12-03-2021

    Crate training small dogs might seem like a daunting task, but it sure does not have to be. 

    Many people equate house training or housebreaking a puppy to crate training because crates have made the job so much easier.  

    A crate or cage is a type of enclosure with four sides, a
    top and a floor.  Most crates are made of plastic or metal and have one or
    two doors that can be used by your puppy to enter or leave. 

    If you want something a little nicer than
    the everyday metal crate, check out the crates that resemble hardwood
    furniture. 

    Many models come in any color of the
    rainbow with coordinating accessories

    If airline travel is in your plans, consider
    a fabric or vinyl crate that will hold your pooch.  You will be able to count it as a carry on
    item, and your dog will be safely by your feet in the cabin.  House training is not the only reason for crate training small dogs.

    Crate Training a small dog

    A Crate Can Function as a:

    • Crates work great for transportation, either as an enclosure during a road trip, carry on piece of luggage for air travel, or as a shipping container if puppy needs to be shipped.
    • Crates serve as a secure bed and enclosure in hotel rooms and are often required by hotel regulations.
    • Crates become the dog’s personal sanctuary—a safe place to hide, sleep, and watch the world go by.
    • Crates can protect a puppy from dangerous household items such as poisonous plants, electrical cords, medicines, etc., if the house is not properly puppy proofed.
    • Crates are used to confine dogs while the owner is at work or away from the home. 

    When introduced at a young age, most
    puppies feel very safe in their crate and will go in it whenever they want to
    sleep or get away from the normal commotion of a busy household.

    Consider a crate a must-have if you have more than one dog.   In
    multiple dog households, unless two dogs get along very well, they should each
    have their own crate.

    Each dog in the household prefers his own crate.

    What Size Crate to Purchase?

    How Big is Too Big

    When Crate Training Small Dogs?

    The crate should be big enough so
    that the dog can stretch out to sleep, stand up and not bump their head, turn
    around and sit comfortably. 

    Overly large
    crates allow dogs to sleep and eliminate within its confines, thereby
    eradicating any training plan it might serve. 

    Use a crate to house train your small breed dog.

    Don’t ever worry that your puppy won’t like her crate when you’re crate training small dogs.

    My recommendation?  Save
    money and buy a larger crate and find a way to partition it off, so the puppy
    only has access to the size he needs now. 

    How do you do it?   

    Some crate manufacturers have already figured it out and
    sell their product with metal or plastic divider that can be removed when the
    puppy grows. 

    This usually works well for
    most puppies, but I have heard horror stories of active dogs trying to move the
    barrier and get lodged between the areas. 

    This is a sad  tragedy and something
    to think about if you have a high energy dog, who will need to remain in a
    crate for extended times.

    Crate Training Small Dogs: 
    What to do to make a big crate small
    enough for your puppy

    You can fill the extra space with a box or plastic container

    This
    has worked well for us.  The final
    solution is to build a ½ wall and line one side with soft bedding and the other
    side with potty pads.  This last
    alternative is not recommended but may be a last resort. 

    An alternative to crate confinement would be to use a small
    room or corner of the room that can be divided and blocked with infant gates or
    x-pens. The puppy would have their own room with their bed in the crate, water,
    toys and some pads to use in case of an emergency. 

    Some people make use of X-pens
    when crate training small dogs


    Many owners who work rely on one of these options for their
    puppy while they are away from the home. 
    The puppy uses the pads and outdoors. 
    This doesn’t work for all dogs and many experts will tell you that this
    just confuses the puppy.

    Crate Accessories for Crate Training Small Dogs

    At a minimum you will need a crate.  It can be as simple as the one pictured to the left or as fancy as you want it to be.

    Some prefer to use a travel crate because they are more portable.  This one pictured to the right comes in a variety of colors

    For those with limited space, a crate that can also double as an end table is the perfect choice


    Maybe something cute is what you are after.  This little house comes in either pink or blue and be a comfortable retreat for your small dog.

    ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Dog House Crate Indoor Kennel for Small Dogs, Pet Home with Door and Bed Mat (PINK)


    Make Crate Training Small Dogs Colorful

    Take it one step farther and get a cover, bed and matching crate

    all in your favorite color.


    You can get as fancy or simple as you like with fixing up a
    crate.  At a minimum, you will need a crate
    pad or soft bedding for the dog. 

    Blankets or towels will also serve the purpose, but small dogs tend to
    love comfort and a thick pad or pillow is most appreciated. 

    Many people will purchase a dog bed and place
    it inside the crate for their dog’s comfort. 

    If you want to get real cozy, you can purchase or make a
    crate cover that covers the crate on all four sides.  Each side is sewn separately, so you can
    choose whether to keep all side flaps down or let your dog see the world
    through the front gate. 

    Water bottles
    can be attached to the crate walls or small water bowls specifically designed
    to work with crates can be attached to the door or walls of the crate. 

    If the crate is being used while you are away from home, a
    few little chews are most appreciated by small dogs and will keep them munching
    for a long time. 

    You can even purchase little crate fans to keep your pet cool in hot weather.  Here are some accessories you might like when crate training small dogs in your home.


    Crate Training Small Dogs:  Your puppy’s Introduction to the Crate

    Crate Training for Small Dog Breeds

    If this is the first time your
    pup has ever been in a crate, you will be much more successful if you train him
    to enter the crate on his own rather than picking him up and putting him
    there. 

    Start with a very tasty snack and
    a favorite toy.  Toss the toy in first
    and see if he will follow.  If so, reward
    with a treat and leave the door open for the puppy to go in and out. 

    If you want to associate a
    training command with entering the crate decide which word you will use.  We always taught the word “Bed.”  Say the dog’s name and the command.  ‘

    “Zoey, Bed”

    If she goes in, great
    reward and act enthusiastically.  If not,
    you may need to lure her in with the treats and toys, still keeping the door
    open initially.

    Place the crate near you so the
    dog associates the crate with treats and being in close proximity to her
    favorite human. 

    Eventually, the dog will
    start going into the crate on her own to nap. 
    At this point, you can try closing the door.  Keep the training positive. 

    I like to talk to the puppy if she starts to
    whimper rather than immediately rescuing her by opening the door.


    Using The Crate for House Training Purposes

    The notion about using crates as
    house-training tools lies in the fact that instinctively dogs do not want to
    mess in their den or nest.  

    This goes back long before the first dog was
    domesticated. When puppies are born, the mother dog will work tirelessly
    to keep the area clean where her pups sleep by cleaning and eating any stool
    produced. 

    Puppies learn at a very young
    age that the place where you sleep must be keep clean.

    Crate training is very popular and effective
    method of housetraining.  Since the puppy does not want to mess where he
    sleeps, he will learn to wait until he is released from the crate to potty. 
    This is only as efficient as the size of the puppy’s tiny bladder. 

    Why Crate Training Small Dogs Really Works

    The puppy remains in the crate when he
    is not eating or drinking, playing with family members, or exercising outdoors—basically
    the puppy is in the crate when you cannot be in direct contact with him. 

    When you are ready to take him out, feed him
    or communicate, he comes out of the crate where you can supervise. 

    You will not want to confine your puppy
    to its crate for extended periods of time.  Remember a young puppy cannot
    go much beyond 2 hours before they need to eliminate. This period
    lengthens as the puppy grows.

    They can, however, go longer at night
    while asleep.  This makes sense.  Think about the average
    person. 

    We may use the bathroom several times during the day, but sleep
    all night without getting up to visit the restroom. 

    If the crate is large enough for the
    puppy to stand up, turn around, stretch out and lie down, it is of sufficient
    size and the puppy is not likely to have an accident in it provided it doesn’t
    have to remain in it for extended periods of time. 

    You have a win-win situation.  The puppy does not mess in the house and will
    be ready to eliminate outside as soon as you are ready to take him.

    When Work Schedules interfere with Puppy Schedules

    Crate Training Small Dogs Tips

    • Never corner your pet in their crate.
    • Even if you need to give medicine,
      groom, punish, or anything else, don’t do it in his crate.
    • Your puppy will associate Crate = Stress
    • It has to remain safe, tranquil
      place that belongs to the pup and the pup alone.

    What if you work and cannot let the puppy out?  It is
    cruel to keep a puppy confined to a crate all day. 

    Accidents will happen
    because the puppy will not have any other option. If you cannot be available,
    there are many options. 

    One method is to purchase a crate larger that is currently
    needed, assuming that your puppy will grow.  Place blankets, mats or other
    bedding one side of the crate and line the other side with puppy pads or
    newspaper.  This will allow the puppy to remain clean on the sleep
    side. 

    Another option is to place the crate in a tiny room or block
    off a part of a room with a wire pen called an exercise pen or X-pen.  The
    door to the crate remains open, and the puppy can go in and out as
    needed. 

    Exercise pens provide enough room to allow for food  and water dishes, a crate and a wee wee pad.

    If you know someone who could come and walk your dog a couple
    times during the day, at least initially and then once a day when he is a
    little old, that might be the best alternative. 

    There is also a dog walking services that you can hire to interact with
    your little one, walk, feed and water. 

    A crate is a wonderful tool if not abused.  The puppy
    learns that it is their special place and will gladly go into it to sleep or
    nap. 

    Children should be cautioned to avoid disturbing the puppy when he
    is in his crate. So, as you can see crate training small dogs can be fun and your dog will love you for your efforts.


    More Recommendations for You

    If you found this article, Crate Training Small Dogs useful, may we suggest you check out a few more pages.

    Housetraining Your Small PuppyHousetraining Basics for a Small Dog
    Puppy Development: Stages of the Dog Life CyclePuppy Development: Stages of Puppyhood and Beyond.


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