Crate Training
benefits of crate training
Although many dog owners may feel guilty for crate training their dog, enclosed spaces create a shelter for your dog to rest and relax. In fact, dogs instinctively seek small spaces to create protective shelters for themselves.
Crates are useful training tools for puppies, safe havens for senior dogs, and lifesavers for emergencies. Crate training your dog has many benefits including:
Providing a safe space for your dog – if your dog is tired, stressed or fearful (for example, of visitors in your home, children, other pets or loud noises such as thunder or fireworks), the crate provides your dog a safe place.
Allowing you to safely transport your dog
Allowing you to easily confine your dog when necessary without stressing the dog, such as after surgery or an injury.
Credit to: https://mydogcan.mccanndogs.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxJXJes0_pM
How to crate train
The crate should always be associated with something positive, e.g. treats, feeding time or toys, and to allow your dog to use the crate in their own time, as every dog is different and learns at a different pace!
Best results are achieved with positive reward based training methods. Not every dog will adapt to crate training, if your dog is not becoming more comfortable being in the crate, professional training/advise may be useful.
Introduce your dog to the crate – dogs are social animals, it is best to place for the crate is in an area such as the living room. Place soft bedding in the crate and encourage your dog to go inside the crate by putting treats and toys around then inside the crate. Never force your dog into the crate; it may take several minutes to days for your dog to go all the way into the crate. Keep doing this until your dog willingly enters the crate all the way in.
Feed your dog in the crate – once your dog is comfortable entering the crate, begin feeding regular meals in the crate by placing the food bowl in the crate and encouraging them to enter the crate. This can be done gradually by first placing the food bowl near, but outside the crate, then crate and then slowly further back into the crate. Once your dog is comfortable eating in the crate the crate door can be closed while they are eating, then open it before the meal is finished. At each subsequent feeding, increase the length of time the crate door remains closed after the meal is finished.
Encourage longer periods of time in the crate – Use an action word such as ‘crate’ to encourage your dog to enter the crate, give them their favourite treats or toys, and close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for a few minutes, leave the room for a few minutes, then return again for a few minutes, and then let your dog out. Repeat this several times daily. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog is in the crate calmly and quietly with you in and out of sight until it reaches 30 minutes. Once your dog has achieved staying in the crate calmly and quietly, you can begin leaving him/her crated while you are gone for short periods of time (few hours).
