Crate training is an effective method used by many doxy owners to housetrain as well as keep him safe from the potential dangers around the house. You should ensure that you have the right size crate for your doxy, otherwise he may start feeling restricted and anxious.

Your doxy should be encouraged to think of his crate as a safe area - somewhere that he can go to get some rest or some peace and quiet. You should therefore make the crate as comfortable as possible, putting in some toys and perhaps a comfort blanket to put him at ease. Crate training is not always easy and can take time, so patience and commitment are vital in order to successfully crate train.

It is not always possible to keep an eye on your doxy. For example, if you are cooking or on the phone, your puppy could get up to all sorts of mischief, and he could put himself in danger. This is a good time to put him in his crate, where he can have a rest, play with his toys, and generally chill out while you get on with what you have to do.

You can also use the crate if you have to go out for short period of time, although this should only be when your puppy is totally used to the crate and enjoys being in it. You should confine him to the crate for short period while you are actually in the house before trying it when you go out. Without doing this, you will not know what your puppy's reaction is to being confined for a period of time.

A puppy is unlikely to soil his own rest and play area, so the crate is a good way to teach him to hold it in until you take him to the designated area to do his business. This will teach him control of his bodily functions and reinforce the fact that he should only do his business in the designated place.

Be careful not to let your puppy go for too long in the crate, as he may need to go to the bathroom and if he is not let out will be able to do little else but go in the crate. Once this has happened, you could find that he starts to do this more and more and it may become a hard habit to break.

The best way to get your puppy used to his crate is to use positive association - get him to associate the crate with treats, toys or food. It is a good idea to put his food near the crate or just inside the crate. As your doxy gets more and more used to his crate, you can push the food bowl further and further back until he is readily eating his meals right at the back of the crate.

Likewise, when he gets into the crate, reward him with a treat, as this will help him to associate the crate with good things. Shutting the door of the crate should be done gradually. You should close it just while he is busy eating at first, and then leave it closed for longer and longer periods, so that he is comfortably staying in the crate after his meal, without getting anxious and frightened.

It can take time

Never try and rush crate training, otherwise you will make things more difficult for you and your pet. It can take your doxy a while to get used to it, and you should be patient and understanding with him.

Monitor how long your doxy is in the crate

The crate is not meant to be a place where your doxy spends all of his time. Having a doxy is pointless if you are going to put him in a crate all day while you work, all evening while you have dinner and get the house tidied, and all night while you sleep. The crate should be used as and when you need it, not as a permanent measure to keep the doxy from under your feet.

Be careful with young puppies

When you are using the crate for your puppy, remember that he will need to relieve himself quite often. You should let him out and take him to his designated area about once every hour to avoid accidents inside the crate.

No collars

Make sure that you take his collar off before you put him in the crate, otherwise you may cause a choking hazard.

Make the crate comfortable

Your doxy should see the crate as a safe area - a place of his own. Therefore, aim to make it as comfortable as possible, with toys, blankets, and anything else that will make him feel more at home.

Remember your doxy always needs access to fresh water

Make sure that this is provided (most crates will have a small bucket that attaches on the inside).

Do not use the crate as punishment

Your doxy should never be sent to his crate as a form of punishment. Similarly, you should make sure that he cannot be harassed by anyone while he is in his crate.

If you're using a second-hand crate, make sure it's clean!

If the crate that you're using already smells like another dog's home, your doxy will take longer to get accustomed to it and will have difficulty feeling as though it's his own special haven. If you're using a pre-loved crate, give it a good scrub first, and make sure all bedding is clean.

Remember you want his crate to be a safe haven.