Using a crate for a new puppy or dog is a great way to make housetraining easier, keep your valuables safe from destruction when you are not home and perhaps most importantly will keep your puppy safe from household hazards when unsupervised.

When used properly, the puppy will view his crate as an area of security and go to his "den" frequently his own to rest.

Choose the right size crate. It should be large enough for the puppy to stand up and lie down with his legs stretched out comfortably. If the crate is too big the puppy is more likely to sleep at one end and use the other end as a bathroom. The canine's natural instinct is to keep their den clean, so if your crate is large enough for the puppy to fit in as an adult, you'll need to partition off a portion for him to use while he is small and increase his den area as he grows.

The canine bladder develops with age; don't expect a puppy to hold his urine for too long as his bladder isn't mature. He'll try and keep his den area clean, but when forced to over extend his bladder's capability he'll have no choice but to eliminate.

The crate location is very important too. Placing the crate in an area such as the garage or utility room will cause more crying because he's been isolated. Canines are pack or family animals, they are not meant to live alone. The crate should be placed in an area that includes his family, and you became his family the day you made the decision to bring him home.

Choose an area where he'll spend time when out of the crate as well as in the crate. Bedrooms are great because the puppy can hear you sleeping and therefore doesn't feel isolated. This can also lead to him sleeping through the entire night more quickly. If the bedroom is not an option choose another area where the family spends a lot time such as the kitchen or family room. Place it away from a window so outside activity doesn't excite him when it's time to rest.

One mistake people often make is, they put their puppy in the crate, shut its door and assume all is well. They leave for work or go to bed leaving the puppy alone in the crate for hours. This only communicates to the puppy his fun world came to a screeching halt!

Instead, spend time tossing toys and treats into the crate allowing the puppy freedom to run in and out of it, by not closing the door. Give him special food, stuffed toys and chew bones each time he's in the crate. Allowing him only a few seconds to minutes to enjoy these special items. When he comes out of the crate those food toys and chew items go away.

This teaches your puppy that good things happen when he's in the crate and his family goes away. Build the time he's crated and left alone by intermixing longer and shorter periods of time. Using increments of seconds and minutes, allowing him out of his crate when he's quiet and not whining or scratching at the door. Always remove those special stuffed food toys and chew toys whenever he exits his crate. When done properly, your puppy will view the crate as his special area and you'll discover him sleeping in it without being cued.

Proper use of a crate is having your puppy in it when you're unable to supervise him, for short periods of time. It's not a closet to store him in as you would a pair of shoes when the novelty has worn off. Take responsibility of your puppy by providing daily attention and proper exercise.

Provide special chew items and food stuffed toys when he's in the crate and different chew toys when out of the crate. Crates should not be used for more than a few hours at a time.

A housetraining rule of thumb, your puppy's bladder is physically capable of holding urine for one hour for every four weeks of life plus one hour. Example: two months plus one hour means a 2-month-old puppy can physically hold his bladder for up to three hours.

There are exceptions, such as the smaller the dog the less time before elimination usually occurs.

In addition, puppies will need to eliminate when they first awaken, finish drinking or eating and during or after heavy exercise and playtime.

Puppies are individuals some will have stronger bladder control then others. One thing for sure, when there is a housetraining problem it translates into a human management problem. Puppies and dogs never eliminate out of spite, or because they are mad due to being left alone or because they wanted you to have a bad day.

It's either a medical issue that needs to be addressed by your veterinarian or it's your poor management that's causing the problem.

Tip of the week: Whether you have a new puppy or a newly rescued dog, a crate properly used can help keep your dog safe and your personal items and furniture intact.

Bark questions to: Canine Companion, 11652 North - 825 West, Huntington, IN 46750 or e-mail info@caninecompanion.us.

Canine Companion conducts dog training classes in Fort Wayne, Huntington and surrounding communities and behavior consulting nationwide. Along with their combined 30 years experience and endorsement by national organizations, the trainers are all graduates of Purdue University's DOGS! Program and have earned the title of Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.