Crate Training Puppies: When to Use the Crate

if left unattended for a period of time. Crate training puppies can help alleviate this problem. However, you must understand which types of situations are appropriate for crate use and which ones aren’t. Your dog should see the crate as a safe place to be and not a place of punishment and restraint. Establishing this balance takes time and attention on your part.

When you are unable to supervise your Labrador puppy, it is best to put the dog in the crate to ensure his safety and keep him out of trouble. As your dog becomes used to going to the crate when you leave, he will begin to go automatically. Teaching him to respond to a specific word, such as “cage” or “crate,” allows you to get him there with a simple command. Be consistent with it. Each time you leave the house, make sure the dog goes to the crate.

Night time is another good time to for crate training puppies. While some people like for their dogs to sleep on the end of the bed, others prefer that their dog have a place of its own. Let your dog outside once before bedtime and then put it in the crate when you go to bed. This will provide the dog a safe place to sleep, while giving you the peace of mind that your dog isn’t destroying your house when you sleep.

Don’t use the crate as a place to punish your dog. When your dog misbehaves, it is important that you punish it appropriately. Putting your dog in the crate when it misbehaves will cause the dog to equate being in the crate with being in trouble. Your dog will learn to hate being in the crate instead of considering it a safe place. This will defeat the purpose of crate training.

Crate training puppies is your way of keeping them save and providing them with a place to call their own. When you are unable to supervise your puppy, such as while you work or sleep, is an appropriate time to use the crate for holding your puppy. Punishing the puppy for bad behavior by giving him a time out in the crate will only cause stress and dislike for the crate. Once the puppy thinks the crate means trouble, getting it to go in will be much more difficult.

Once you decide to own a Labrador and you want to bring a Labrador puppy home, the first thing you need to do is give the dog a name. Finding a dog name which both you and your puppy will enjoy depends on a few factors. You will need to find a cute unique dog name for your Labrador. After getting to meet the new puppy and getting a glimpse of its personality, you might be in a better position to give the dog an appropriate name. The dog’s gender as well as its color might be a determining factor in the name that you give to it. To ensure that the dog get’s used to the name you give it, always address it by that name alone.

Before the new Labrador puppy comes home, you must prepare well in advance for it’s arrival. Get the dog an adjustable color that does not choke it. The dog will also need a leash that lets you adjust the distance the dog can move about aimlessly while you walk with him. Get him stainless steel or ceramic bowls one for water and the other for food. Also, make the dog a bed where it can rest or sleep. You will need a bed the size of a fully grown person, a pillow and blankets to add comfort.

It is important to get a crate and start crate training the puppy early.  Treats must also be available so that the Labrador retriever puppy stays in high spirits. Labradors love to chew and will eat anything. To keep the Labrador puppy from chewing your furniture, get him enough toys to chew and ensure that the toys are durable. If the puppy starts to chew on something that isn’t his, tell him no firmly and offer him one of his toys.

When you first bring the Labrador puppy home, ensure that you spend lots of time with the dog during its first day in its new home. Labradors like any other dogs will have anxiety when separated from her littermates and need time to adapt to the new surroundings. Get the whole family involved and have a pleasant time together, but don’t include visitors because it is private time with your new family member.

Because rescue Labradors have often abused or abandoned before reaching temporary shelters or foster homes, there can be a learning curve time period where they adjust to your home and family. Be patient with rescue Labradors as they integrate into your family’s routine and home atmosphere. Rescue Labradors are looking for homes where they be loved and taken care of with shelter, food and water and lots of play time for their energetic personalities.

Adopting rescue Labradors does require time and attention from your family. Obedience training and firm reinforcement training at home with lots of praise for rescue Labradors can help them in adjusting and becoming more comfortable in their new family. Preparing your home with a comfortable sleeping environment, food and a place for playing is also crucial in making your home a safe place for rescue Labradors on your adoption list. As you choose your adopted Labrador, make sure that they have or will have all of their current vaccinations, are neutered or spayed, have their up-to-date blood work, and flea and tick protection. Keeping your new pet healthy is beneficial not only to them but also contributes to their overall well-being as part of their new family.

While rescue Labradors do enjoy time outside, they are also very sociable, friendly dogs that shouldn’t spend all day outside. Labradors want to interact with your family and other pets if you have them. By integrating them into that family life, you can help them form new relationships and forget their past traumatic experiences in abusive homes or shelters. Patience is key during the initial few weeks with your adopted Labrador as they learn to adjust your household and routine. As they learn what you expect from them and that their new home is a safe and loving environment, they will adjust and become a loyal, loving part of your home life.  Including rescue Labradors as part of your pet adoption plan for your family can help a loving, friendly Labrador find a new home and new family.

Take your puppy outside after he eats and drinks. If you’re also crate training your new pet, it will also need to go outside as soon as it comes out of the crate. Early morning and late evening trips outside are also recommended.

Praise your Labrador verbally and with affection when it does its business and then go immediately inside. This practice  shows the purpose of going outside. Do not leave your puppy out all day if you’re trying to house-train it, though. This can confuse your Labrador Retriever training efforts.

A Labrador puppy can be expected to refrain from using the bathroom for the number of hours that matches his age in months, up to ten months. A six month old puppy can hold it for four hours, a four month old puppy can only go four.  No dog should be expected to refrain for more than ten hours.

Many people think that a Labrador is housebroken when your pet comes to you to be let out or goes to the door but you should really be taking your puppy out on a regular schedule. This way, your Labrador knows that  a bathroom break will be coming and can hold it. The best schedule to follow is to take the puppy out first thing in the morning, after every meal, right before bed, and anytime you come home (no matter how long or short a time you’ve been gone).

If you have a doggie door installed, the Labrador training procedure is the same until the puppy learns to go out by itself.  You should still be there early on to praise your dog and to train it to go in a certain part of the yard.

Some trainers suggest giving a cookie during Labrador Retriever training when your dog uses the bathroom outdoors. This idea doesn’t always work because then the puppy becomes focused on the treat. Praise  your pet and immediately go back inside. This will show the dog why you’re out there.

The most important part of housebreaking your Labrador puppy is to maintain a schedule it can count on and pay attention to what it’s asking for. Your puppy will be trained in no time!

You will find that Labradors are generally happy dogs and they are also very well-adjusted animals. Labradors are playful and careful with children and adults alike. They show a lot of love for those that care for them. Though they are large and strong dogs, they are not heavily built so they are not quite as intimidating as other large dogs can be to children.  Happy Labradors are very playful and really enjoy playing with their families.

Labradors can quickly and easily be taught to get along with other pets that  a family might have, including cats and other dogs. This is very important consideration when you are considering a pet for your family. Luckily, pet integration is usually not a problem when bringing a Labrador into the family due to their eager-to-please nature.

Labradors are extremely friendly dogs that make friends easily with both humans and other animals. They especially enjoy the company of people very much, making them very good pets for socially active families and families who enjoy the outdoors. Labradors do require a significant amount of attention and affection and are happiest when they receive praise.  Labradors and families have a great history of success when they work together as a team. Including your Labrador in the dog-friendly things you do will prove to be a fun and easy way of teaching your pet that it’s a part of the family.

Because of their happy and people-pleasing characteristics, Labradors are one of the best possible pets a family could consider. Labradors and families have a great history of being extremely compatible that will surely continue throughout the ages.

The best way to deal with an active Labrador with high energy is to find as many outlets as possible through exercise. Very active dogs like Labradors simply need outlets for their energy in order to be happy. Most urban and suburban Labrador owners lack access to open fields and forests where a dog could run safely. The only solution is to come up with creative ways to release that energy.

Daily walks on a leash are the most common and efficient remedies for calming your active Labrador. Take at least 30 minutes every day to lead your dog around your home,  enforcing that it is a time of exercise and not a “stop and smell the roses” trek. Be sure to keep your Labrador walking at a good pace to burn some of that energy off.

A common trait in active Labradors is extra excitement as soon as you come home. The best way to control the jumping and running of your dog when you arrive is to practice a simple routine a few times a day until they break the habit.  Leave your house and go for a short walk without your pet (about twenty minutes). When you get back, open the door and walk inside. As you do so: do not look at your dog, do not speak to your dog and do not touch your dog.  You don’t need to reprimand them or praise them. After a couple of weeks of repeating this exercise your active Labrador will be calm when you arrive home.  Keeping the bad habits from coming back just requires completely ignoring your pet when you arrive home until they are calm and in a relaxed state.

The active nature of Labradors is something that every owner is familiar with. While they do tend to grow out of it, mildly adjusting your lifestyle to train the hyperactivity out of young Labradors is a sure-fire way to ensure a wonderful pet in the future.

Although it is never too late to start, it is important to start your Labrador training as early as possible. Your adorable little Labrador puppy will quickly grow to be a large and active dog, who can be excitable and  hard to control without a little basic obedience training.

Labrador Retriever puppies respond best to positive and non violent training methods. All these puppies require are some guidelines and boundaries in order to become well behaved and trustworthy members of your family. Your Labrador will do their best for you while in training so there is no need for harsh training methods.  Reward-based Labrador training techniques are the most effective way to teach your puppy. While it also provides quality time to spend with your dog, Labradors thrive on the physical and mental stimulation which obedience training provides.

Socializing your puppy early is very important step in your Labrador training program. It helps them to be comfortable with all types of people and animals. Social skills are vital for dogs to become a respected part of our human world.

All basic dog commands such as “sit”, “stay” and “heel” will be easily learned by your Labrador puppy. Most Labrador puppy owners stress the importance of teaching your dog how to walk nicely on  a leash without tugging or pulling andnot to jump up on people. Anybody who has had the pleasure of sharing their home with a Labrador puppy  will agree to the importance of these two puppy training commands. This is due to their size and excitable nature. Don’t worry, though; They are very fast learners!

If you plan to train your Labrador puppy yourself at home, it is recommended you follow some comprehensive Labrador training sites. There are huge communities of Labrador lovers who all share the common goal of wanting to raise, effectively train and care for their dogs in a positive manner. Labrador owners can learn so much from the experience and knowledge of other people who have been down the road of Labrador training before.  The Labrador lover family is a fulfilling and educational community to be involved in.

Start by keeping your house tidy; no child’s toys, shoes or trash on the floor. Puppies chew things to give their aching gums relief while they are teething, so try not to leave things around that you don’t want them to gnaw on. Strings and yarn can be especially dangerous for two reasons: They can be difficult to see so you may not realize they are on the floor, and they can cause serious injury to your Labrador by binding up their internal organs. Be sure to keep a look out for things with which your puppy could harm itself.

Labradors and families will need to work on house-breaking fairly extensively. There are puppy pads you can purchase at most pet stores that assist in getting your Labrador to learn where to use the bathroom. You can start by placing them near the door and eventually moving them outside so that your Labrador knows to go outside.

If you have other pets, be sure to keep up on vaccinations. While most animals diseases and parasites aren’t communicable between species, there are a few that can be transmitted. Take all of your animals to their veterinarian for regular check ups and vaccinations. Both Labradors and families can be susceptible to disease if not treated quickly.

Be sure to leave any harmful chemicals out of your Labrador puppy’s reach. Paint thinner, antifreeze, bleach and other useful household chemicals can be harmful or fatal to your puppy. Keep them in a locked cabinet or on a shelf. This way, you won’t have to worry about a accidental poisoning.

Labradors and their families should take time each day to play outside together. If you have a back yard, make sure it is gated and there aren’t any holes your Labrador can use for a quick escape. You should also always clean up after your puppy. Pet waste is unsightly and can spread disease.

Puppy-proofing your home is a great start to bringing your puppy into your home. It assures a safe and happy transition for Labradors and families.

Jessie looks worn in this picture, 24 hours after TPLO surgery. Looking at her eyes, she may be a little shnockered from the drugs. She walked to the car, toe tapping, and slept most of the way home.

I don’t like using cones for my Labrador Retrievers, but the Dr.’s wife made it pretty clear we should. Horror stories of staples, and trips to the emergency room pretty much confirmed it.

After all these years, no one has invented anything better than the dreaded “Cone”! If you have any comments on this please add. We are always looking for new ways of handling old problems.

Thanks again for all the well wishes, especially from her local dog park pack!

We are getting ready for recovery mode!

Please post comments with any tips you might have.
Jessie is a 2 1/2 year old Yellow Labrador Retriever. She was never a crate trained puppy, and can be a handful, like most Labrador Retrievers.