I understand that crate training my puppy will make his and my life much easier in the long run. I don't know where to buy a crate for him. I live in Koh Tao and I was just over in Samui this past weekend and the only ones I found were at the animal clinic in Chaweng. They were big enough for now, but won't be big enough for him when he's grown. Any ideas on a place I could order one from?

Also, my previous dog wasn't crate trained because my girlfriend at the time couldn't stand the barking/whining . He became a very well behaved dog eventually, but it was a very long stuggle for everyone involved. I would like this to be easier for me and the pooch. What do you do about the barking and what exactly is crate training ?

Barking and whining of a pup when alone in a crate is natural. Little puppies will normally lie against or on top of eachother and the mother dog. They need this close contact. So, when they end up alone in a crate without anything, many will bark and whine. Try a teddybear in the crate with the puppy. Food, drink and toys often won't help.

Maybe your pup is a little young to be in a crate by itself? I think the idea is to make the crate somewhere they feel safe and secure, in a similar way to how a dog would feel in a den. I started by feeding my dogs in the crate found it wasn't too long before they would go in the crate because they wanted to. These days when they're feeling tired it's where they head. Normally I don't close the door, only when I feel a need, but they don't complain.

It's important to never use the crate for punishment.

Crates are great. Our little dear has one that is a bit over three hundred square meters. That is not including the back of the truck of course. She is quite generous and allows us to share her dwelling. By all means get a custom built crate.