How to Go about Crate Training your Pooch
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010You’ll think that you don’t need to crate train your dog, because you never plan to put him into one. However, even the newest dog owner will shortly learn that there are times when it becomes necessary to do just that. After all, your new puppy isn’t going to know the rules of your household,eg where he’s not intended to chew or where not to go potty, and until you can teach him, you aren’t going to need his mis-steps at behavior destroying your house. In addition, you will have times when you’ll need to take him to the vet for check-ups and shots, and it will be way easier to do so if he’s in a crate. As with all the other appropriate dog behaviors, crate training is acrucial ability to teach your dog.
So how should you go about teaching your dog to remain in a crate when he manifestly would rather be out with the rest of the family? Start by purchasing a crate that is huge enough for your dog to both stand and turn around in. If he is going to get much larger, you may wish to purchase a bigger kennel right now to save having to purchase another one later. Put it in an area of your home where family members spend a lot of time so that he will continue to be with the family although penned up, and put a soft blanket or towel on the crate’s floor for him to lie on. Get a water dish that isn’t going to be spilled easily, and ensure he has water all the time he’s in the crate.
You naturally don’t wish to teach your dog to detest the crate by making an attempt to cram him into it if he’s refusing to go. In order to make him enter it willingly, place some dog treats inside near the door, and when he follows the trail inside, you can secure the door. Do not get impatient with him if he continues to refuse to go into the dog house on his own for a couple of days. Ultimately he will understand what it is that you’re wanting him to do, and he’ll obey.
Once your dog has become accustomed to spending short amounts of time in his crate you can begin feeding him healthy meals in there. At first you will want to allow him out immediately when he has finished eating, but then, to keep going with his crate training, you need to stretch out the amount of time you leave him in the dog house so that he gets used to lengthened times being shut up in case it becomes important to keep him there.
