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[quote=Anonymous]OP- if crate training is done responsibly, it can be a wonderful tool. Here are tips from our vet (who strongly advises crate training):

1. Don't ever go to your dog while she's crying. If there is a small break in crying, use that time to get her out of her crate for potty or play. If you are taking your dog out when crying, she will learn that it gets her what she wants.

2. If you're at home, be sure that you are using the crate some during the day too. Move around as you always do and ignore crying.

3. We put a soft sleeping mat on our sofa the first few days puppy was home then transferred the mat to the crate. This helped immensely as she has a positive association with dozing on the mat (with a lot of petting and tummy rubs).

4. Our crate is in our mudroom where she can hear us but is not allowed out of the crate until we open it. We place a thick blanket over the crate and place toys inside.

5. Put treats inside the crate for awhile and make sure that food bowls are located directly outside. Your puppy will associate the crate with her favorite activities (eating and sleeping).

6. Give the puppy a lot exercise and stimulation and put her in her crate when she is tired and comfortable. She will likely go to sleep quickly. Give her a bedtime- our puppy goes to sleep at nine and wakes up at 6:30. Just like our son. Now, she's tired at that time- yawning, naughty, etc. just like a little child who needs to go to sleep.

7. We have a loud ticking clock next to our crate- I think it soothes puppy.

8. Of course don't use the crate as punishment or leave her in too long. We occasionally use the crate for containment if I our puppy is overstimulated and on a nipping spree- but we don't use angry voices or imply that we're putting her in jail. We just set her in with a few toys and she either goes to sleep or calms down so we can get her back out shortly.

9. Take your puppy on walks (so slow at first as they sniff and stop for everything). Put her in obedience class. If she's reliable, allow others to approach her in a controlled manner. All of this will help socialize your puppy.

Really work with the crate OP- it's a godsend for keeping life manageable and will significantly reduce destructive behaviors while you're house training. Additionally, puppies learn that it's a safe place and that you are coming back- which reduces potential separation anxiety (which will cause all kinds if behavior problems later if you don't nip it in the bud at a young age).

For other critical posters- what is cruel is not properly training and socializing your dog thus allowing it to develop unmanageable behavior issues. [/quote]

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