If you own a dog, chances are you have heard the word crate. Many customers ask how to crate train a dog frequently, really! The phrase crate training is used in a few different ways, but it is important to remember that one folks are referring too. In general, crate training a dog is the process of conditioning your dog to return to his dog crate on command. It sounds complicated, but it really isn’t. Once you understand the basics, it really isn’t very hard at all.
First of all, crates aren’t just for “cute” puppies. Most dogs get Housebroken, or house trained, on average in about three months. However, if your puppy has behavior problems or hasn’t been housebroken before, the process could be a little longer. So what are some things that you should keep in mind when learning how to crate train a dog? First off, you will need to set up the kennel in which your dog will spend most of his time in. It does you no good to Housebreak a dog and then have him put him/her inside of a crate every night when he/she is done relieving themselves!
Naturally, the more positive reinforcement dog training tips you read, the easier this whole process will be. The goal is to Housebreak your dog without giving up, instead of forcing him/her to “come.” Some methods that work very well include positive reinforcement dog training anxiety tricks like sitting or rolling over. You will want to teach these tricks early on, as they will help you overcome some of the psychological hurdles you will face during the Housebreaking process. Your dog will be very happy to be sitting on command for example, rather than having to jump on you to get it. With positive reinforcement dog training anxiety tricks, the positive behaviors will help you overcome the fear your dog has when he/she is placed in the situation of being outside.
Another one of the tips on how to crate train a dog is getting your dog used to the idea that you will be taking him/her out for short periods of time. Some dog owners even make it a point to take their dogs on short outings every couple of days or so. Again, getting your dog used to this will be one of the key factors in successfully Housebreaking your dog. Make sure that when you bring your dog outside that it is in a safe place with familiar smells. Before/After these short outings you can practice your ‘on the go’ tactics, so that your dog becomes familiar with going outside when you call him/her to go.
Training how to crate train a dog requires that you create a special area just for your puppy/crate so that the dog will learn to do his/her bedding business there. You should have a crate with an opening at the top that is large enough for your dog to turn around and lay down, as well as another opening that is smaller. Place newspapers or other items inside the smaller opening so that your dog will have somewhere warm and dry to go to when he/she needs some relief. You should also have treats and toys handy when you are out. Once your dog begins sleeping in this special area, it will quickly realize where that area is located and be much more comfortable going there.
Your dog may become anxious when you leave the house, so one of the most important tips on how to crate train a dog when he/she has separation anxiety is to keep the dog in the crate during the day. Leave toys and food in the crate during the day while you are gone. This will make your dog feel safe and secure knowing that when you return, things will be back the way they were. If you leave the dog crated all day, however, you run the risk of it becoming bored and not wanting to be there, thus possibly causing separation anxiety. If you must leave the dog crated all day, then place it in a room that the dog can be comfortable in such as a dog bed or someplace where there is some form of activity going on.
Crate training a puppy involves using treats and toys to help the dog understand that they will receive attention when they are good. The best type of treats are ones that are small, yet will reward the dog for being good. This will make the dog learn that if they stay in the crate long enough, goodies will be given. Also, it is important that you repeat the same command each time you bring the puppy into the crate, so it is like a game that they need to learn.
One very useful trick for crate training a dog is to simulate a phone call by leaving a phone on the answering machine. When the dog gets in the crate, answer the phone and say your command word for word. Once the dog has followed the command several times, take the phone away and wait a few seconds before answering the door again and repeating your command word for word. You should continue this until finally your dog will recognize that when you say the command, the door will unlock itself and the treat will be handed to him/her.