Crate
Training
For a puppy
find a crate that the pup can turn around in and stand comfortably, too much room will allow the puppy to mess the crate.
For a larger dog find a crate they will be comfortable turning around in.
Sometimes people
need to crate their dog when they work. I recommend that someone comes in to let the dog out after 4 hrs in a crate before
spending another 4 hrs in there. It's a very confining area and a walk outside would be very welcome. Always think ahead about
heat and water needs.
No blankets, rugs, anything the dog can destroy unless you
know your dog is not going to eat the blanket or get harmed. You can place a rubber toy filled with treats in the crate so
the dog has something to do. Any favorite toy that is as indestructible as you can find will also make him/her feel comfortable.
Anything a dog can choke on wouldn't be a good toy.
Always treat the dog for going in the crate, never coming out.
I usually toss the treat in ahead of the dog and say "Crate! Good Boy!".
To
first train, put the puppy/dog in the crate for a few seconds. Don’t close the door. Give praise, a treat and allow
the dog out. Do this several times a day for 2 days until the dog runs right in for the treat. Hot dogs or cheese are good
treats to use, very motivational.
Once the dog is comfortable going in and coming out close the
door for a few seconds once he/she is inside. Give praise before letting the dog out. Do this for a few days until the dog
is comfortable with the door closed. Increase the time the dog spends in the crate to 5 minutes, then 15 minutes, then 1 hour.
NEVER praise when allowing the dog out. ONLY when dog goes into the crate.
Keep the crate
in an accessible place so the dog can use it for naps and getting out of the way of children. This should be the dog/pups
refuge from everyone. Children shouldn’t be allowed to bother a crated dog.
Crate
training doesn’t happen overnight for every dog. Some need time to adjust to being alone and confined. A Kong is a great
time waster in a crate as they need to knock it around to get the treats out and if you cover the hole with peanut butter
it takes even longer. Some people freeze them.
Some dogs are more comfortable with cage type crates and others
prefer the kennel type. If you’re not home and the dog needs to be crated, you can leave a radio, or TV on; also you
can position the crate near a window so the dog isn’t bored.
Never use the
crate as a punishment. Make sure the dog has peed/pooped BEFORE being placed in the crate for any length of time. If you want
to attach a crate water bottle this is a good idea and ice cubes in a spill proof bowl works well too.
