Puppies are similar to children. They both need structure to be happy and healthy. Without rules to abide by, their entire lives would be chaotic and disordered. This is also true for new dogs of any age that may have been adopted from a rescue shelter or another family. Since all dogs need some sort of structure and routing, these rules of crate training might be an option you'd want to research.

In order to be successful at crate training your dog, you need to keep a few things in mind. Of course, you want to use the basics of dog training when trying to get your dog to use a crate, but there are some things specific to crates that you need to keep in mind as well. Here are 5 rules of crate training that will help you successfully train your dog:

1. Because you want your dog to feel that his crate is a place of safety and comfort, you must never send him there as punishment. Doing so will only make the crate seem like an unpleasant place and your dog won't want to go there.

2. Crate training can and should be a positive experience for your dog and for you. Introduction to the crate should be gradual and gentle so as not to frighten your dog. Food or toy rewards can help cement a positive impression of the crate.

3. Do not place your dog into the crate until he or she has gotten an opportunity to go outside and do its business. It's not fair to expect a dog to "hold it", especially a puppy who may be physically unable to hold it. Urinating in the crate will reinforce a negative experience.

4. Once you let your dog out of his crate, be sure to bring him outside immediately to relieve himself. This will help to get your dog on a schedule and can greatly assist in housebreaking.

5. Never put your dog in the crate if he is stressed, anxious or scared. In fact, going into the crate should be your dogs idea. You want him to feel like it is a safe haven from him to go to, otherwise he won't want to be in there.

If you follow these 5 rules of crate training, your experience will be more successful as well as more pleasant for both you and your dog!