Tips About Dog Crate Training

Are you getting a new dog? Have you thought about all the training you are going to need to stay on top to have the behavior that will be acceptable in your home from a dog? Training a new dog, especially a puppy, is going to require a lot of your time and patience. However, it is all worth every second for the bond that is formed between you and your pet. One way to effectively train a dog or pup is with dog crate training.

The most effective crate training will be with a young pup. Many older dogs might have had a bad experience with a former owner concerning a crate. If you do adopt an adult dog that refuses crating, you should consult with a vet about the gentle ways to reintroduce it to him. Pups, however, need to be started in all parts of their training as soon as possible, especially when it comes to crating.

How long should you keep a pup in a crate? Most professional trainers recommend never more than a couple of hours at a time. Your timing can be paced by how long your pup sleeps during naps. As soon as awakes from a nap, time is up for the crate. This is also the time you should take him outside for potty duty.

Adult dogs will need less time in a crate, especially those that are being house trained with one. Adult dogs have better control over their bladders than pups do, so outdoor trips will be fewer. Stress to adult dogs that the crate is for rest and pleasure time with food and treat reinforcements. You want him to look forward to his crate and eventually want to go in it on his own.

Crate training is going to mean you being as patient as you can be with your dog. If he makes a mistake and soils the floor, never put him in a crate while fussing at him for making a mistake. This will immediately destroy all the positive things you have taught him about the crate. He will assume it is the place of punishment. If a dog makes a potty error, that is the time to take him out, right at that moment.

Making sure your dog associates his crate with good times like sleeping and eating can be done by feeding him inside it or next to it. Many trainers suggest introducing a crate with the positive reinforcement of food and treats. Dogs, even puppies, also have the instinctive want to potty away from their place of rest and eating. This will help even more with house training.

Emphasizing to your dog that his crate is his den can be done with his feed bowl. Each time you put him in it, put his food bowl in as well. Start with placing it at the front and each time, move it back a bit until finally it is going all the way at the back. Close the door every time and let him remain inside the crate for about ten minutes after finishing his meal. Let him out then to go outside. This will slowly show him his crate is his place and it is not bad.

Dog crate training is a great way to also lessen the incidents of chewed up valuable items in your house. If you must run errands or leave your home for a few hours, placing a dog in a crate is acceptable to keep him from chewing up things to satisfy separation anxiety over you not being there. If your dog shows signs of severe anxiety and violently tries to escape the crate, an animal behavioral professional may be the best medicine. If you are going to be gone longer than a few hours from your home, find other means of containing a dog. Hiring a pet sitter would be a good idea.

Polly Browder is a professional dog trainer and groomer. For more information about dog crate training visit PetsPavilion.com.

 Send this to a friend!