Training A Dog To Use A Crate
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Though, slightly harder than training a puppy, crate training a dog isn’t as tough as some might assume. If done correctly, your dog will feel at ease within his crate and not be capable of causing trouble while you are not in the same room watching him.
Here are a few ideas that may help you to make crate training an acceptable experience.
*Is The Crate The Proper Size
A correctly sized crate for your dog allows him to stand, turn around, and move within the crate. If they are not able to do those types of things easily, then the crate is not big enough.
You can purchase a special type of cushion made to fit in your crate, or you can put whatever he normally lays on in there.
If the bedding is comfortable and your dog likes it, the fact that it wasn’t custom-fit to the crate is a non-issue. Another good idea is to select bedding which is easy to wash.
If your dog seems scared of the crate and you do not know the dog’s past history, it could be that the dog was punished in a crate or left in a crate for long periods of time. Although these issues will not make it impossible to crate train your dog properly, you will most likely need more patient with your dog.
*Introduce Gradually
Begin by putting the crate in a room where the dog currently is comfortable and spends allot of his time. Let the crate there and the door ajar. Do not force your dog to go inside the crate instead, allow your dog to explore the crate at his or her leisure.
To increase your dog’s interest in the crate, either place treats or toys near the door of the crate. After some time, you can place treats inside the crate.
If your pet goes inside of its own accord, you can have a go at shutting the door (just don’t exit the room; make sure your pet knows you are there). Start by having it shut for a few minutes at a time.
Eventually, you can start leaving the door closed for longer time periods.
It won’t be to long before you can leave him in there for longer periods of time. Next, for a few minutes, exit the room; slowly, raise the amount of time you are gone.
You must not progress to the next phase until your pet appears to be comfortable with the present phase.
The worst possible thing you can do for your dog is to use the crate as a form of punishment.
You only want to use a crate in a positive manner, otherwise your dog will view his time in the crate as punishment and will not be happy or secure using it. If you do not properly train your dog, your dog will view the crate as something to be feared.
After you have accustomed your dog to the crate, he may be left in it for a few hours.
There are those who leave their dog in a crate while they go out and pursue their occupation. Many people may leave their dog in a crate overnight. Choose only one as it is not a good idea to do both of them.
If you crate your dog in the day while you are working in addition to the period when you are asleep, then your pet might spend over 16 hours per day in the crate, more time than they will spend outside of it. Please do not do that.
Ensuring that your dog is properly crate trained is a slow process. It could take a while, but in the end it will be worth it. A crucial component of crate training is to make sure your dog learns to relate positively to the crate.
Help him to believe that this is his happy place while you are gone.
By staying the course, all should be well.
