Crate training, also called kennel training, teaches a dog to spend time in a plastic, wooden or wire enclosure called a dog crate. A common misconception is that this is cruel, when in fact dogs actually love the security of the crate.

The crate is just a way of recreating what wild dogs have always done – seek out a warm, secure den in which to curl up.

The best time to start crate training in the first night the puppy spends in your home. By now you should already have bought a crate that accommodates your puppy’s adult size. Buy one with a sliding panel, and adjust the panel, so the pup has just enough space to lie down and turn around.

Use a soft towel as bedding, rather than a blanket. The towel will be just as comfortable, but better at mopping up any spills.If you bought your puppy from a breeder try to get a strip of blanket with the mother’s scent on it. This will be a comfort to your puppy as she settles in.

Put the crate in an area that will allow the pup to interact with the family. Don’t put the crate in a secluded spot as the puppy will feel isolated and take longer to settle. Remember that dogs are social creatures by nature.

At night you should put the crate in your bedroom – at least in the early weeks. The puppy will kick up a fuss at first. This is only to be expected, as she’ll be frightened by her new surroundings and most likely missing her mom and littermates.

Don’t pander to every cry though, or you will be up half the night once she figures out that you come running every time she cries.

Before you know it she’ll be quite happy to sleep in her crate. As she settles into the household you can start thinking about moving her out of your bedroom at night. She won’t like this at first and won’t be afraid to let you know it, but hang tough and she’ll soon accept the new situation.

Pretty soon she’ll love her crate and will probably sleep there by choice.

Crate training is also a real boon for housebreaking. Dogs are instinctively clean animals who don’t ‘go’ where they sleep. For this reason your pup will learn from an early age how to ‘keep it in’, while she’s in the crate.

Bear in mind that she won’t be able to control her bladder like an adult dog, so don’t leave her unattended in the crate for longer than a hour.

When she starts barking and whining, take her outdoors immediately. Praise her when she does her business outdoors and she’ll virtually house train herself.

To find out more about crate training puppies, information on dogs, dog health and other helpful dog info visit http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com