When crate training dogs one of the first decisions that you need to make is which crate you are going to buy. With a huge selection on the market, all with their own features and benefits as defined by the manufacturers, this could be quite a daunting task. When this choice is made, the primary reason for using the crate should be kept in mind.
A dog training crate’s primary purpose is to assist you by making dog potty training easier. This is achieved by capitalising on your dog’s natural instinct not to toilet in his sleeping place. The crate’s size is therefore the only criteria that should be considered to reach this goal. The crate should be just big enough for your dog to stand in, turn around comfortably and lie down in. Choosing a crate that is too small will not only be uncomfortable for your dog but also inhuman. On the other hand, a crate that is too big will give your dog enough space that he might feel that there is enough separation between where he sleeps and where he can do his business, thereby defeating the whole objective of the crate.
One problem that you could be face with is if your puppy is a big breed (e.g. a Rottweiler). Do you buy the crate to fit the puppy’s size now, or do you get one that your dog will still fit into once he is fully grown? If you do the former, your puppy will outgrow the crate within a couple of months and you will no longer be able to use it. If you do the latter however, the purpose of the crate for dog house training will not be achieved due to the reasons described above. This is a question each individual will have to decide for themselves and, in the end analysis it will depend on the cost of a crate that you can only use for a short time versus your perceived value of the benefit you would gain in the dog potty training process. .
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