crate training a dog makes all the other steps in dog's training go so much smoother, the same way a solid foundation makes for a superior wall.

Making yourself the the Alpha member of his “pack” is one very good reason for starting your puppy in a crate when he is very young.

Another reason for crate training is that dogs love predictability.

To know what is going to happen in any given situation makes it happy, and more apt to be the best-behaved dog it can possibly be.

Having a strong crate is the foundation of good puppy training. The best kind are wire crates with a lock.   Make sure it is large enough for it to stand up and turn around. But not so big that he/she can roam and wander around. An excessively large crate will deter house breaking.

A crate that is just the right size will be perceived as its “nest”, where puppies never “go potty”. They will learn to hold it if you do not turn it into a prison.

Never leave a puppy under 8 weeks, longer than one hour in its crate. It will make it itws own, after struggling and moaning as long as he can.

Put a nice mat in there with a bone. Treat it to something tasty for your puppy to find in there. Do this more than once without closing the door, let him/her come in and out freely for about an hour. Praise him/her highly each time s/he goes in; make it all very pleasant.

Once its attention is on its treat, close the door. Praise it quietly, “What a good boy/girl, it’s ok, such a good boy/girl!” In 10 or 20 seconds, no longer, let him/her out without a word, no praise, just a pat. Do this for increasingly longer intervals, without giving him/her an opportunity to become upset. This can be done a number of times even on the first day.

Make sure every training session ends on a happy note; this is crucial.

Once he/she sees the crate is his/her own private territory, it will go in there on its own, expecting treats as well as your attention. Once it does, say, “Wanna crate?” with a happy face while offering his/her treats. Start leaving it in there by itself as from 2 minutes, increasing the time gradually. When you return, avoid making a fuss, just walk over and open the crate.In 3 days your dog will be officially crate-trained, ready to be left alone for an hour, no longer at first. Leave him/her gradually longer, slowly and carefully.

Why do I need a crate for my puppy? Because they love it is the best reason.

They feel quite safe and secure in there.

When you leave a puppy alone, |it[he/she] always suffer from separation anxiety to a certain extent. This may lead him/herhim to any behavior that brings him/her comfort like chewing, digging, or if it is severe, voiding his/her bowels.

When placed in a crate, it feels safe because nothing can get to it, nothing can harm him/her. It will sleep and chew and wait for you to come back. When leaving it overnight at the vet, if your dog is not crate trained he/she will cry the whole time, feeling lost and abandoned.

When your dog is crate trained, he/she is confident that you will come back, you always do. Needless to say, the vet’s office will be strange and will cause it some anxiety, but nothing like the pure terror he/she will feel without experience in being locked in.

While crate training your puppy, do not make a prison of its crate. Do not use it as punishment. Do not leave him/her there for more than 2 hours, just time for a long puppy nap and some time to chew.  After that he/she will cry. Don't free him/her while he is crying. This will only make it think he has to cry to get out. No matter what, make sure he/she is being good when you open the door. He/She must learn he/she has to be quiet to get out. Don't make a fuss when you are letting it out, simply open the door and take him/her out to potty. When it potties, praise him/her to high heaven! Dogs naturally do not go where they nest, but sometimes it happens.   Don't scold, just clean it out with a bland face. The lesson will have been learnt. If you can, try cleaning it while he/she is outside so he/she returns to a clean crate.

crate training your puppy is critical for a dog's well-being.