Learning how to crate train your dog is one of the best dog training tips you can get. Not only will you be able to control and limit your dog when you have it in the right condition, but you will also save time and money. When you do crate train your dog, you will have the ability to take them out for walks, play times or just to use them whenever you need. This article is going to give you some great dog training tricks that will help you crate train your dog.
The most important part of dog training is that you should set up the environment for it to happen. By leaving the crate door open, you let your dog investigate it on their own and then use the kennel as a place that they feel safe and secure. Spend several short minutes each day doing training sessions with your dog to teach them to enter their kennel on command.
The second step on how to crate train your dog is by breaking the routine. For example, if you were to wake up your dog up in the morning and put them in their kennel, don’t do it the same day you normally do it. Each day that you do this, your dog will get used to the idea that they will get to go to the kennel before the dog training session or every other day if you want to keep the routine. The idea is to break down what the dog will expect so they will become accustomed to the idea that the door will open and they will go inside.
The third step on how to crate train your dog is by slowly moving the entire process from one room to another. Crates provide puppies and older dogs with the feeling of security and freedom and by going from room to room, they will acclimate themselves to being in new places. When they are exposed to new rooms on a consistent basis, the old routine isn’t as effective and crates provide puppies and older dogs with a much safer feeling.
Step four involves using positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement will help to eliminate the negative associations your dog may have with their crates. You want to make sure you use praise and treats when you’re crate training. Praise them for using the crate when they’ve been properly trained and then treat them for whining or barking when they’re not supposed to be. Dogs will learn how to relieve themselves in their crates through positive reinforcement and by being praised and rewarded. Be sure to always offer your dogs a treat when they poop in the right place.
Step five is a bit more involved, but it’s not anything that will take an entire book to explain. Crate training your dog should include some type of a schedule for when your dog gets to go out in his or her kennel and when they get back in their crate to sleep. Once they’ve developed a routine, you can take your puppy outside to do their business. However, if they aren’t housebroken yet, you’ll want to take them out at least once every two hours. This will help with housebreaking because it will keep the puppy from eliminating all over the place.
Step six is probably the most important aspect of learning how to crate train your dog. After all, if you don’t, you’ll be constantly struggling with getting your dog in and out of the kennel. You may also be trying to crate train your dog in a place where he or she may have an accident. It’s very important that you make your puppy feel comfortable and secure while you’re training them.
The length of time that your dog will need in their crated area will depend on several factors. If you have puppies, they may only need a couple minutes. However, older dogs may take several days or even weeks to completely go potty trained. How long it takes to housebreak a dog depends on several factors including how well the dog has been trained, how much time the dog’s asleep and how much exercise the dog gets. A dog that has been properly trained and who gets plenty of exercise will usually be housebroken within a couple of short hours.