Lifestage mascot

How old is your dog?

Pre-Puppy
Pre-Puppy preview image

Pre-Puppy

What’s better than puppies? That’s right: your own puppy. So, what do you need to know before you take the plunge into pet parenthood?

0-2 months
0-2 months preview image

0-2 months

Welcome to the world little one. It’s all grow-grow-grow for your puppy right now, so there’s many things to prepare.

2-3 months
2-3 months preview image

2-3 months

Your puppy is ready to come home and turn your world upside down. It’s time to put your preparation into practice – and remember to take it all in!

3-6 months
3-6 months preview image

3-6 months

You’re entering a period of immense growth, lots of learning and new adventures. Bring on the play date with the big wide world!

6-12 months
6-12 months preview image

6-12 months

Your fur-baby is nearing adulthood. Can you see their grown self coming through? Sigh…they grow up so fast, don’t they?

12-18 months
12-18 months preview image

12-18 months

Your puppy has turned one and they might not be so little anymore. Make sure to book their first annual check-up.

18 months - 3 years
18 months - 3 years preview image

18 months - 3 years

Your dog is one an established family member now. Enjoy who they have become and the bond you now share at this special stage.

3 - 8 years
3 - 8 years preview image

3 - 8 years

Your dog is a full-grown adult now. They understand where their place is in your home and the wider world.

8+ years
8+ years preview image

8+ years

Just like many senior citizens, senior dogs have some extra needs. Learn to look after your best friend and support their health as they grow older.

Crate Training a Puppy

Crate Training a Puppy

Crate Training your Puppy

Crates are a really valuable tool for keeping your puppy safe. As well as keeping your house safe from your puppy. The crate should be a positive place, and not somewhere that they're locked up - it should be a place that your puppy know it can go when they feel the need to get away, relax (or get away from the kids). The crate is also a very useful tool for toilet training.

Young puppies should only be in their crate for a few hours at a time.

This video shows some tips on how you can crate train a puppy that recently you've welcomed lovingly into your home.

How to crate train your puppy

The overall aim is to keep your puppy in the crate for as long as possible. And rewarding them for staying the crate will help to get the puppy to feel comfortable in the crate.

Step 1: Before you start, make sure your puppy knows that you have some yummy treats, so it's going to be rewarding to spend time with you.

Step 2: Start by having some familiar things in the crate; their bed, a blanket that they use etc. Then toss some treats into the crate so that your puppy wants to go in.

Step 3: Keeping the crate door open while you start training, so that they don't get scared or worried.

Step 4: Having some longer lasting treats on hand for your puppy to entertain themselves in the crate will also be beneficial.

Step 5: As your dog seems to settle at the idea of the crate, slowly start closing the door (rewarding of course), as well as walking away from the crate.

 

Get your Free VitaPet Puppy Training Guide

Pet Paw-Trol

Promotion preview

Free Puppy Training Guide

Your puppy training guidebook.

Get yours now.

Promotion preview

Perfect Pocket Training Treats

These real meat treats are perfect for puppy training on the go.

More Info