Why Chihuahua crate training is very important at a young age

Crate Training your Chihuahua properly while they're still a puppy is important. Trust me, it can save a lot of drama and hassle in later years if you do it properly while they are young.Chihuahuas, like all other dogs when they are small, actually like to be in small, enclosed spaces, so don’t get hung up on the idea that it is cruel – that’s simply not true. While you are out your dog will feel safe and secure in a enclosed, smaller space. You will likely find that they even spend a lot of time playing in their crate, without you even asking them to get inside.Your Chi doesn't like to go to the toilet where he sleeps, they just won't do it. So it is necessary to make your dog sleep in the same spot. After a while they will start to learn that it is their bed time area. Your crate comes into handy here. It’s just a part of their doggy nature – they won’t voluntarily make a mess in their bed.Have something for your puppy to play with. Will make them feel secure and it will feel like an friendly area.Crate time is meant to be a fun experience. Never associate it will bad times. It is also not meant to be used to keep your Chihuahua in for hours on end. It is not fair.Puppies need their freedom, but encouraging a puppy to establish a sleeping area in there is not harmful in any way, as long as you are careful to ensure they get plenty of time to run around outside of it.By crate training your pup correctly he/she will see the crate as a positive thing - not a negative thing such as a punishment.So how does crate training work?Start by putting the crate in the middle of a room, where your dog can see it. Add some goodies such as dog biscuits in the crate to grab his attention. He will start going in and out of the crate – each time he goes in, say "crate", so he will learn to associate going in there with the word.Add more treats into the crate after your Chi has looked around it for a bit. The next time he ventures into the crate, shut the door for a few moments before opening it again.Do this a couple of times and eventually leave the door shut for longer. For example, shut the door fin periods of one minute, then five minutes, ten - you get the idea. Do this until you have closed the door for an hour. By doing this you will teach him not to be scared when the gate is closed for long periods of time.Being close while you teach your Chi allows him/her know that you are still near. If the crate has a screen, make sure it is facing you so he can see you too.I know it can be hard if he/she cries while crate training. Please be brave and don't let him/her out. He is not scared, he just doesn’t yet understand what is going on. YOU need to be the alpha dog, which means you need to make sure he knows you are in charge.This is how a dogs brain works in a pack. You need to assert yourself as the head of the group. The owner must always be the boss. It’s really important to stand your ground in this case as if you let him out when he cries, he will do it every time you try to put him in there.You would have seen a similar process when we put our babies to bed. Keep in mind - if he/she does start barking and getting angry then they might just want to go potty! If possible, try to remember to take him to the toilet before you start his crate training for the day.A one month old puppy can stay in his crate for up to an hour, a two month old can spend three hours in there, and a three to six month old puppy can spend up to four hours inside the crate. Six months or older Chihuahua can play around in the crate for up to eight hours.Never use the crate as somewhere to keep the puppy for prolonged periods of time. It is not to be used as a replacement for human companionship. Crate training is important, but an owners love can never be replaced.



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