How to Crate Train a Whippet Puppy

A good crate may be one of the best things you can purchase for your Whippet puppy. You can use the crate as part of a potty training program, a safe place for him when you can't keep your eyes on your pup, a way to keep him safe in the car, or as a place for your pup to spend time when you are not home.

In the wild, dogs have their own dens where they can keep themselves out of the rain, away from predators, raise a family, and simply sleep. In your home, the crate will become his indoor den. A place where he can get away from people, other pets, and anything that causes distress. Your pup will not only learn to stay in his kennel when you need him to but, in time, is likely to start going into it on his own, just to take a nap. 

Your job as a responsible pet owner is to train your pup to follow his natural "den" instinct into the crate, turning it into his new home. While he might seek a den in the wild naturally, this need has been repressed in domesticated dogs, so your job is to coax this instinct out and then make use of it to teach your Whippet puppy that the crate is his safe place.

Be prepared, this process can take several weeks for your pup to master. The best way to speed the process along is to work in several short sessions every day until he masters it. Be patient, it will happen. Remember to start out in short sessions and slowly work your way up to the point where he can stay in the crate for extended periods of time. 

The most important part of crate training your Whippet puppy is the crate. You need one that gives your pup room to move around, stand up, lay down, relax, and even play a little since he will be spending a fair amount of time there. You also need to outfit the crate with carpeting, a comfy bed, some toys or balls for your pup to play with, a water bottle, and anything else you can think of, just don't make it overcrowded.

You should also set aside plenty of training time and, of course, a nice bag of your pup's favorite treats. This will all go together to help make the training process go more easily for both of you. Make it fun for both of you and let your pup set the pace. Remember, you should never use the crate as a form of punishment. If you do, your pup will not want to go inside.