| Training a dog can be frustrating, but if you know | | | | crate with being a "bad boy". Would you want to go |
| the "rules of crate training" this particular task can be | | | | somewhere that "bad boys" are supposed to go? |
| made much easier. | | | | Neither does your dog. You want him to associate his |
| One of the first things you need to consider, | | | | crate with safety and comfort so keep this in mind |
| whether you have a new puppy or a full grown dog | | | | when training. |
| is crate training. This is because dogs need structure | | | | 2. Don't rush things. You need to make a gradual |
| and they actually do best when they have set rules | | | | introduction between dog and crate. Always be sure |
| to follow. Crate training can offer both structure as | | | | to associate the crate with a positive experience and |
| well as give the dog a secure place he can call his | | | | reward your dog when he goes into the crate on |
| own. | | | | command. |
| However, while it may seem simple in concept, crate | | | | 3. Never lock your dog in the crate for extended |
| training dogs can actually be rather difficult. | | | | periods or leave him in there when you know he will |
| You see, there is a bit of psychology that goes on in | | | | have to go to the bathroom. This will only make him |
| your dogs head when you try to train him to use the | | | | want to avoid the crate in the future. And if you do |
| crate. For that reason you need to know when (and | | | | make this mistake and then your dog "does his |
| when not) to try to persuade your dog to get into | | | | business" in the crate - don't yell at him and tell him |
| his crate. | | | | he is a bad boy - it's not his fault, it's yours! |
| The basics of crate training for dogs is actually the | | | | 4. When you let your dog out of the crate, take him |
| same as any other type of dog training. You need to | | | | outside right away to relieve himself. This can actually |
| be consistent and persistent but also let the dog | | | | be very helpful in housebreaking. |
| know clearly what you want. Always use the same | | | | 5. Don't ever force your dog into the crate if he |
| word or command to indicate that you want the dog | | | | doesn't want to go, especially if he is stressed out, |
| to go to his crate and use a firm (but not "mean") | | | | scared or anxious. It is a different thing if he chooses |
| voice. Never yell at the dog - rewards based training | | | | to go in there himself, however. |
| works best when crate training dogs. | | | | If you follow these rules of crate training, you will |
| Crate training for dogs has certain pitfalls that other | | | | soon have a dog that runs into his crate at your |
| types of training does not have due to the fact that | | | | command - and likes it! In fact, my little Pomeranian |
| you are using an object - the crate - as part of the | | | | loved her crate so much that she ran in there on her |
| training. Because of this, there are some rules of | | | | own whenever she was scared or anxious. |
| crate training that should be followed: | | | | With a bit of patience you will see that crate training |
| 1. Never send your dog to his crate in order to punish | | | | dogs is not that hard and it will strengthen the bond |
| him. If you do this, then your dog will associate the | | | | between you and your best friend. |