Crate training will take some work, but if you go about it the right way, it can be fun for both you and your dog! If you properly train your dog to use the crate, he will see it as his place of refuge and will willingly spend time in it.
Crate training can take some time, depending on your pet’s age, personality, and previous history. Ensure that the crate is always associated with something pleasurable, and training should be done in stages, rather than all at once.
Listed below are 5 processes on how best you can crate train your friend:
1. Selecting the Appropriate Crate for Your Dog
You’ll want one that’s long-lasting, comfy, and adaptable. It is critical that you do not get a crate that is too large for your dog. Purchase the appropriate cage for your dog’s adult size based on their anticipated growth. Then make or purchase a partition so you can expand the area and give them more room as your puppy grows.
2. Tempt Your Dog with High Value Treats
First, you simply want to get your dog accustomed to the crate. Position it in a safe area such as the living room. Place a blanket or towel in the crate so it will be comfortable. Your goal is to make the crate fun!
- To tempt your dog to enter the crate, arrange some high value treats (the good stuff – maybe some liver treats or leftover chicken) beside the crate, then just inside the door, and then all the way inside the crate. If he doesn’t want to go all the way in at first, that’s alright; don’t push him.
- Your dog should get a treat for every interaction with the crate. At first, that could just be putting a paw in the crate. By the end, you’ll have the dog at the back of the crate with the door closed.
- Be patient! Some dogs almost crate train themselves. But others panic, for example, when you first shut the crate door. Don’t go too fast and make sure there are plenty of positive interactions and treats for every step forward.
- If goodies aren’t appealing to your dog, you can try the same thing with a beloved toy. Either should work to crate train your dog.
3. Feed Your Dog in The Crate
Begin giving your dog his usual meals near the crate after introducing him to it. This will help you form a positive relationship with the crate. Put the food dish all the way back in the crate if your dog enters the crate easily. Place the dish a bit further back in the crate each time you feed him.
4. Crating Your Dog for Longer Periods
You can start leaving your dog crated for brief durations when you leave the house if he has spent more than thirty minutes in the crate without getting uncomfortable or fearful. Use your standard command and a treat to place him in the crate. When you get home, maintain a low-key approach so you don’t encourage anxiety. When you’re at home, continue to cage your dog for brief amounts of time so they don’t link crating with being alone.
If you crate your dog at night, it may be a good idea to keep the crate in your bedroom or a nearby hallway. Puppies frequently need to go outdoors to eliminate in the middle of the night, and you’ll want to be able to hear your puppy at night.
Conclusion
A crate provides a secure environment for your dog as well as a personal area. While many people associate crates with being “confined,” dogs are naturally den creatures that prefer to stay in compact, enclosed spaces. My dog Layla often winds up under my desk, if not in her crate. Crates provide dogs with a sense of security, and when they’re taught to use them from a young age, they can help ease anxiousness. This is why it is very important to gain knowledge on how to crate train your dog.