| Think crating your dog is heartless? Well, consider this | | | | his second most favorite place to be (being with you |
| truism: dogs are den animals, and they instinctively | | | | is his first). So, it is up to you to always make his trip |
| seek protected, dry, dark places to lie down. Visualize | | | | to the crate a positive experience. |
| the places your dog prefers to be when alone. In a | | | | The first few times, simply walk your dog up to the |
| corner, under a table or bed, behind a sofa. A crate | | | | crate with the door closed. Toss a few of his |
| can only come natural to him. Feeling any better? | | | | favorite treats inside. When he starts to make |
| Have I assuaged your guilt at least a little? Good. | | | | attempts to get at the treats (almost guaranteed), |
| Now you're ready to learn how to use this attribute | | | | gently open the door and guide him in. |
| of your dog to your advantage as well as his. | | | | As you help him settle in, gently talk, lightly pet, and |
| No matter what age your rescue dog is, crate | | | | provide a good dose of praise. During the early |
| training can be accomplished and it will only produce | | | | stages of crate training, leave the door open after |
| beneficial results. Of course, there will be that one | | | | he settles in. It's also a good idea to have some toys |
| dog that simply cannot be crated, and that probably | | | | and a comfortable blanket awaiting him in the crate. |
| means there are other issues going on that need to | | | | If he is hesitant, do not force him, since he will |
| be addressed before you take the giant leap to | | | | perceive this as punishment. Try putting more of his |
| crate training. | | | | favorite treat inside to coax him. Sneaky but |
| So, other than being a safe haven for your dog to | | | | effective. |
| spend his time alone, what else can you hope to | | | | Here are some proven effective tips to include in |
| achieve through this training process? | | | | your crate training: |
| A crate... | | | | In the beginning, make the first forays inside the |
| - Is an excellent resource if you need to house break | | | | crate for short periods only (5 to 10 minutes max). |
| your rescue dog. | | | | Increase the time by say 5 minute intervals, but |
| - Helps your dog adjust to daily routines (remember, | | | | never over 30 minutes during this training phase |
| dogs love routines). | | | | (unless of course he is bedding down for the night). |
| - Is very transportable, not only by car or by plane, | | | | Never make a big fuss when he exits the crate. You |
| but just room to room so your dog can be among | | | | don't want him thinking outside the crate is a better |
| his "pack" even when resting or sleeping. | | | | place to be than inside. |
| - Can be useful during other training scenarios, | | | | If he resorts to making a ruckus with loud barking, |
| particularly while you are still working on making your | | | | whining or pawing at the crate, only let him out when |
| rescue dog sociable (a great place when company | | | | he STOPS - otherwise, he'll think you are praising his |
| comes to the house). | | | | bad behavior. Put him back in fairly quickly, but make |
| - Likewise can be used to minimize damage if your | | | | it a shorter stay until he gets adjusted. |
| dog is being trained to stop destructive chewing or | | | | As soon as your dog displays an easy-going attitude |
| digging. | | | | about going in the crate, start using the "crate" |
| - Will help your dog deal with nervous energy and | | | | command. Eventually only he - not the both of you - |
| fears he has yet to overcome. | | | | will be making a beeline for the crate when he hears |
| - Will be a very welcome respite for dogs getting | | | | the command "crate" Follow through until your dog is |
| over "left alone" anxiety. One caution - never make | | | | comfortable and even excited to hunker down in his |
| the crate the place he is put when being punished! | | | | very own safe, secluded, transparent "den." |
| This defeats the purpose of crating your dog. How | | | | To be a responsible dog owner, I found an excellent |
| your dog reacts to the crate will depend on the way | | | | resource - The D.I.Y. Dog Training Manual. Learn more |
| you introduce it to him. The idea is to make this place | | | | by visiting my site referenced below. |