How to Crate Train a Brittany Dog

If you leave the house and leave your Brittany Spaniel to his own resources, you might be in for a big surprise when you come home. You may find piles of poop on the carpet, chewed shoes, trash scattered from one end to the other, and more. This is why is so important to start crate training your Brit. 

In the wild, canines make their homes in caves or "dens", giving them a place to sleep, shelter from the storms, a place to raise pups, and when needed, a place to recover from an injury or illness. Giving your pup his very own "den", is a great way to help him feel more comfortable and secure in your home. 

There is more to crate training your Brit than teaching him to stay inside a wire cage. The task at hand is far more complicated than this. Your job is to teach your pup that this wire crate is his own den or personal space. One that he can call his domain, protect, relax in, and stay in while you are gone or at night if he prefers to sleep there.

Bear in mind you cannot leave a puppy in his crate all day, he will need to get out to go potty several times. You can only expect an older dog to be able to hold himself this long. Your dog will do everything he can not to soil his home, but if you leave him in there too long, he may not be able to help himself. One last thing, never use his "den" as a form of punishment, he should always see his home as his castle, a place to relax, his "happy place." 

The most important part of crate training your Brittany is to make sure you get the right one for him. Since the crate is to be like a den to him, you need to get the right size. If you get one that is too small, your pup will not have enough room. On the other hand, if you buy one that is too large, it might make him feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable. Along with a crate, you need a piece of carpet cut to fit the bottom of the crate, a cushy puppy bed, a few toys, and a nice supply of treats.