Using dog cages to train puppies makes good sense but it is important to make your puppy feel secure in his cage and not to make him feel that it is form of punishment.

Here are some tips on how to train your puppy to use his dog cage.

1. Training with the use of dog cages should be done positively with no negative associations.

2. When you first bring the puppy home from the breeder, have the dog cage ready and comfortable for the puppy. Put a towel or a washable pad in the cage, possibly a pillow so it is an inviting area for the puppy.

3. Get a small tasty treat, allow the puppy to sniff it and then coax the puppy into the cage with the treat. When the puppy goes into the cage to get the treat and explore the new area leave the door open and let him come out as he wishes.

4. Never force the puppy into the dog cage and don’t make him stay in there the first few times.

5. Repeat putting a treat in the cage, allowing the puppy to go in on his own for the treat. Do this several times and praise the puppy gently while it’s in the cage and associate a word or phrase for going in the cage e.g. ‘bedtime’ of ‘in you go’.

6. Use the word association AS you are putting the treat into the cage and the puppy is following it in. Do this about five times and then stop for a while. Repeat this procedure several times the first day.

7. When the puppy is going in after the treat comfortably and when the puppy has just finished playing and piddling and is tired, coax the puppy into the dog cage with the treat as you have before only, this time, close the door.

8. A good idea is to put a new toy in the cage at this time - something the puppy hasn’t seen before that is interesting and will keep his attention for a few minutes.

9. After you close the door, sit on the floor in front of the cage and talk to the puppy if necessary. If the puppy cries or whines, put your fingers through the side of the crate to reassure the puppy that you are still there. Usually, they will only whine for a short while and may even fall asleep if they are tired. Stay there until the whining subsides and the puppy calms down and then open the cage door - after 5-10 minutes usually.

10. If the puppy happens to fall asleep then him sleep in the cage until he wakes up and then take him outside to go to the loo. Don’t excite him or use a lot of praise when you open the cage door and try to ignore him for a few minutes after he is out so that he doesn’t get the impression that getting out is much more fun than being in the dog cage.

11. Do not let the puppy out of the cage until he is quiet for at least 30 seconds and has calmed down if he has been whining. You might try and distract him with another toy to give him a chance to be quiet so you can let him out while he is quiet but DO NOT let him out, especially the first time, until he IS quiet.

12. Never shout at or correct the puppy in any negative way. Just make up your mind that you will calmly wait no matter what.

Following these simple rules will help your puppy to feel safe and secure in his dog cage and he will eventually choose to go in of his own accord as it will be a place of peace and quiet where he can relax and sleep.