Crate Training 101 for Poodle Mixes

Crate training Poodle mixes

Crate training for Poodle mixes is highly recommended by verterinarians and dog trainers alike.  In the wild a dog’s natural instinct is to sleep in a den to keep warm and stay safe from predators.  It is also a place to have puppies and safely raise a family.  This natural instinct still resides within our lovable canine pets.  Crate training, when done properly, provides Poodle mixes with a comfortable, safe haven which feels similar to a den, thereby catering to these instinctual needs.

Click here for a fool-proof plan for Potty Training Your Puppy using the crate training method.

Reasons to crate train your Poodle mix/Hybrid dog

The crate training method for poodle mixes is by far the quickest way to housebreak your puppy and the number one reason homeowners use this method.  Since puppies generally do not want to soil their dens they will quickly learn to wait until they are let outside to urinate or defecate.  However, no puppy can control their bladders for too long of a period of time so being realistic about the amount of time spent in the crate should be taken into consideration. The crate will also prevent your puppy from chewing furniture and other household items prior to being broken of the habit.

Where to place the crate

The crate should be placed in a part of the house where your puppy can still feel like he is a part of the family; it should not be tucked away in a back room where no one ever goes, or in a basement or garage.  Poodle mixes are generally known to crave human companionship and will not do well if left alone for long periods of time.

Do’s and don’ts of crate training Poodle mixes

Since your Poodle mix’s crate should be a place where he can go to feel safe and secure, it should never be used as a means of punishment.  If used as punishment, your puppy will learn to fear its crate which will diminish the effect of crate training altogether.  It should also never be used as a means to get your puppy out of the way for hours on end.  This can make your puppy feel confined and frustrated which can have a reverse effect on the task you are ultimately trying to accomplish.  If used correctly your dog will enjoy his crate viewing it as his den and often wandering in on his own free will to sleep or just relax. For this reason the door should always be left open during the times you are not using it for the training process.

How long does it take to crate train Poodle mixes?

Keep in mind there is no magical number as to how long it will take to crate train your Poodle mix puppy.  Like all living creatures each puppy is different and they all learn at a different pace.  Patience along with a calm, but firm, demeanor will soon see your dog through to what is expected of him.  Yelling, or spanking is highly ineffective, will bring fear and anxiety to your puppy, and will only make the process take longer.

In time they learn what is expected of them whereby the crate door can be left open at all times and used only as a place your dog goes voluntarily.