10 Stages in Dog Crate Training

The dog must be made to feel at home in dog crateleave it in the crate and let the dog discover it. Keep
training. When you crate train your dog do it slowlyrepeating till the dog settles down in the crate to get
and with great care. Crate training a puppy and a dogthe food out of the toy.
should follow similar stages. If you know your older7. Again walk away from the crate. Try to let the
dog has been frightened before just take it muchdog stay in the crate getting the treat out of the
slower to build confidence.Kong.
8. Start pushing the door to close it, a little at a time.
1. Just have the dog crate in the living space you useContinue till it is almost closed. This will allow the dog
and let the dog get used to to. The dog will bejust to come out when it wishes. You can just sit in
curious and investigate.view of the dog, just to reassure the dog without
2. Now work on this curiosity by tossing a few treatspeaking.
into the crate, a few centimetres to start. You just9. When the dog is very happy in the crate start
sit back and watch. Praise the dog even when it putsclosing the door but do not locked it. Gradually
a foot in the crate to get the treat.extend the period. Always stay close, we do not
3. Now toss the treat further into the crate. Praisewant the dog to get alarmed.
the dog for getting further into the crate. Keep going10. If all going well, you can go out of sight and come
till your dog is all the way in the crate. Sit by theback every few seconds, building the time up. Your
crate and praise whilst your dog is still in the crate.returning, not too close to the crate, is to observe
4. Keep repeating till the dog is comfortable withand not speak to your dog, if he is happy just leave
going into the crate. Give the dog a meal in the crate.him again.
Just place the bowl at the far end of the crate,Using this slow and gradual method, your dog is
leave it and watch. Repeat this till the dog eats allhappy in his crate and it is reassuring you, that he is
meals in the crate.perfectly safe and content.This slow process with
5. Now walk away from the crate when the doghelp prevent crate training separation anxiety in your
goes in to eat the meal. Not too far to start with.dog. Remember praise and reward when he does
6. Use a toy stuffed with treats, such as a Kong,what you want, in this work when he is in the crate.