With my Aussalier, we tried out a few different crates when we first got him. We eventually settled on the MidWest Homes for Pets crate.
We started off with a smaller crate, and after he was full-sized, upgraded to a larger one. They have 7 different crates sizes to choose from.
What I liked most about MidWest Homes for Pets crate in comparison to the others we tried, was that they have:
Two Door Access: allows us versatile placement within our house. We started with the crate in an upstairs bedroom, and when our son was bored, we relocated it to our kitchen.
Den-like Space: Our dog Stanley was the most comfortable in these crates. He was sleeping on the bed, which we didn’t want him to do with his puppy accidents, but when we switched to the MidWest crate, he started preferring the crate over the bed.
Low threshold & wide opening: I noticed this right away. These crates allow your dog to easily enter and exit without hitting their head.
Leak-proof Plastic Pan: The pan on the bottom of the crate is very easy to remove, and makes cleaning up any mess quick and simple. You can hose it off in the backyard with a little bit of dish soap.
Here’s How to Use a MidWest Pet Home:
Step 1: Acquaint Your Puppy With His New Home
Start from when your dog is a puppy, and have the puppy sleep and rest in his “home.” Almost without trying, he will train himself to seek security and comfort inside his little dog room. Encourage him to go into his home on his own.
If necessary, toss a small treat in his home. Don’t force him in. He may quickly back out or be shy, but that’s normal in the beginning. Just take it slowly. At first, don’t close the door on him, let him go in and out freely on his own.
Once he is happy and not scared of his new home, simply restrain him at the door with your hand. Make him stay in the home for a few minutes, then gradually increase the time and be sure to praise him.
Once he is comfortable with this approach – usually after a few hours or days of short sessions – simply restrain him at the door with the door, praising him lavishly. Soon he will be secure in his home with the door closed. Slowly, you can move further and further away from him, remembering to always praise his accepting behavior. Eventually, your puppy will sit quietly and sleep in his home with the door closed.
Step 2: Direct His Elimination
Puppies need to go to the bathroom about every 2-4 hours. On a schedule, such as feeding, before bedtime, and first thing in the morning, let your puppy out. Teach him the route to the door, praise him at the door, and take him out to the part of the yard you want him to use. Very quickly, you are teaching him an elimination schedule that will stay with him for the rest of his life.
As your puppy gets older (4-6 months), you can gradually leave him in his home for longer periods of time because he can hold it longer. Soon, he can be in his home all day if necessary until someone arrives to let him out.
DO’s and DON’Ts of Crate Training…
The DO’s…
Do get your puppy used to his new home gradually. Plan on taking plenty of quality time with him the first few days.
Supervise your puppy anytime he is free in your home. It’s what allows you to direct behavior. Chewing, barking, elimination and all other behaviors are dependent on your direction. If allowed to be unsupervised, he will begin to direct his own behavior and schedule.
Provide soft, washable bedding in the home so that it is comfortable and warm. Make the inside of the home cozy as you can. Keep it clean and free of fleas.
Remove all collars and tags from your pet before placing him in the home to prevent entaglement.
The DON’Ts…
Don’t put housebreaking pads or newspaper in your dog’s home. We are trying to take advantage of your pup’s natural instinct not to go in his home.
Don’t leave your young pup in his home all day. At 6 weeks, a pup can hold his bladder about 4 hours, by 8 weeks – 5 hours, by 12 weeks – 6 hours and 5-6 months, a pup should be able to hold it for an 8 hour work day.
Don’t let a new puppy roam through your house when you aren’t home. When they sniff and circle, that is an indication they need to go. You can then quickly and gently guide him to the door and outside.
Don’t punish the puppy by putting or forcing him into his home. Your pup’s home should not be associated with punishment or anything negative.
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