Crate Training Your Dog Creating a Home Sweet Home atmosphere

Ive been working with many new puppy parents, as well as families that have recently adopted adult dogs. From each and every one, Ive received the proverbial crate question: "What do you think about me crate training my dog?" Fortunately I have an answer: I think you should. Why? For a few reasons.

1. Bedroom: Just like us humans, our domestic dogs need a place to call their own. A safe, comfortable, warm, cozy environment where they can be by themselves. 
2. Retreat: A crate can also be that safe-haven "den" (or bedroom or crib) where they can retreat in times of stress. For instance, if youre having lots of company, and your dog is overwhelmed, they can go off on their own, with a yummy chew toy, and chew until they fall fast asleep. 
   
3. Management: Those times when you dont have time to train your dog, or supervise and monitor their behavior, a crate can act as confinement to help set them up for success. If theyre in their crate, theyre not roaming about eliminating on the new rug or chewing up furniture. 
4. Pet Preparedness: You never know when you might need to put your dog in a crate. Crate training is a huge part of Pet Preparedness. If you even need to evacuate because of disaster, many places will require that your pet be in a crate. As I mention in all of my dog training classes, dog training workshops, and private dog training clients, you want train it before you need it! 

So, what are some of the best ways for you to get your dog used to their "sanctuary"? The training steps are pretty simple actually, but just like any new behavior, you need to teach them slowly, helping them create a positive association. 

Creating a Home Sweet Home For Your Pooch: Crate Training Overview

• How to make the crate the best place to be: The "Dos"
• Take the time to teach your puppy or newly adopted adult dog that their crate is a fun, safe, relaxing place to be. Make it comfortable with bedding the individual dog finds comfortable (not what we humans think is)
• Make sure the crate is large enough for your pup to be able to stand up turn around, and get comfortable. 
• Teach your pup to associate their crate with all good things. 
• Start slow and easy - treats for looking at the crate, going into the crate, then staying in the crate - for only a few seconds at a time. While youre still there with them. 
• Keep the door open until your pup is going in their on his own. Once your pup is going in on their own, you can begin closing the door, feed treats through the door. Let your pup out, then all treats stop. Hell soon learn that being in the crate is much more fun than being outside of it. 
• Feed him his meals in the crate 
• Chew bones in the crate 
• Food toys in the crate
• Crates can still be used for a "Time Out" since the punishment is more about losing out on something the dog wanted, like freedom or playing with a family member or friend. A Time Out for a dog should only be for about 20 seconds. And, if they already have a positive association with their crate, and 99% of the time good things happen in their crate, then they shouldnt end up hating their crate. Just like when children are sent to their room, its not the room they hate but the fact that they lost out on participating in some other activity. 

• How to teach your puppy or newly adopted dog to hate their crate: "The Do NOTs" 
• Refrain from shoving your pup into the crate and slamming the door, and walking away. 
• Refrain from pushing your dog into the crate and leaving them there on their own, after never being left alone before. 
• Refrain from leaving them in the crate for so long that they soil their crate. 
• Refrain from using the crate for punishment only. 
• Refrain from using the crate as a "Time Out" because of house soiling or some sort of house destruction. The crate can and should be used for confinement when house-training. But, if a dog soils the carpet, its the humans fault, not the dogs. You dont want to inadvertently punish your dog for greeting you when you get home. 

With time, patience, and consistency you too can get your dog to love their crate. You might create such a wonderful environment youll want to crawl in there too! 

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Dog Training Tips Crate Training

Dog Training Tips - Crate Training 
Dog training is over telling your dog to cease doing what he is doing, it is the technique of teaching a dog to exhibit positive desired dog behavior in specific circumstances. Proper dog training is not a "quick fix" - it is an ongoing, life-long technique. It is important when adopting an adult dog, since new owners usually have no knowledge of the dog behavior history. Additionally, successful dog training means your dog is less likely to finish up a lost pet. Dog training is simple, but fixing issues born from nervousness is very hard.

Dog training is similar to raising babies but more difficult for people to understand because they must communicate with the dog from a dog point of view. This requires that they have an understanding of how canines think & perceive their world. It is an ongoing technique that occurs in the coursework of specified training sessions & through the remainder of every dogs day. The lessons taught in the coursework of dog training times ought to be reinforced at all times. Dog training is a technique that may involve treats, but plenty of of these treats can be a bad idea for your dogs waistline. Use small treats & wean your dog off treats as they understand the different commands.

Dog Obedience Training

Dog obedience training is over training your dog, it involves teaching the dog owner . Going through dog obedience training is something every dog owner ought to do. it is not showing off the latest pet tricks to your friends. Dog obedience training teaches your dog how to think & issue solve. Dog obedience training is in general, an schooling to cultivate canines to become well-disposed. Normally, in the system of educating or training the canines their tendency for aggressiveness & over reaction may be diminished to the least feasible level.

Dog Crate Training
One system of training a dog is by using a crate. Dog crate training is not always simple & you need to do it consistently otherwise it wont work the way you would like it. You may also need an air filled dog bed & a transport dog crates as well. Dog crate training is not cruel. I repeat: Crate training is not cruel. It is a system of training recognized & recommended by veterinarians, trainers & breeders, that takes advantage of a canines natural instinct to find place of its own.

This is nice for potty training a dog. Dog crate training is based around the premises that most canines wont eliminate where they sleep or rest, on condition that they are given options to release elsewhere. Therefore, owners will temporarily confine their pet to a cage of some sorts, in order to alter negative behaviors. Dog crate training is based around the premises that most canines wont eliminate where they sleep or rest, on condition that they are given options to release elsewhere. Therefore, owners will temporarily confine their pet to a cage of some sorts, in order to alter negative behaviors. Dog crate training is nice for a variety of training issues such as potty training, chewing & anxiety. The premise behind crate training is to keep your dog in its crate everytime you are unable to oversee its activities.

Dog crate training is usually simpler with a puppy as they have no bad experiences to recall when you are enticing them in to the crate. Adult canines can be trickier, rescue canines as you may not possess plenty of knowledge pertaining to the dogs history. End of Dog Training Tips - Crate Training entry.

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Confusion about crate training

One is the loneliest number that youll ever do...

Two can be as bad as one...

Kiko was not enthused about Splashs preference for HER crate!  

Thought I would post some pics since I missed out on blogging when I first got my pup! She is seven months at the moment but these pics are back when she was around 9 weeks.  

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How To Crate Training Puppies Overnight

This is how you Crate training puppies overnight


This process is usually simple. I recommend putting the crate next to the side of your bed so that you can listen to him if they gets restless and needs to go outside. Being right next to your bed also lets him listen to you breathe, which can help him alter faster. Keep in mind your pup came from sleeping together with his brother and a whole litter of other pups, they is use to hearing the other pups heartbeat and breath throughout the night, although sleeping in a crate might be difficult and foreign at first being by your side will help him alter faster.

Make crate training fun! Pet, play with and interact along with your pup in his crate it ought to be the focus of fun things so that they enjoys spending time in there. Utilize it to give yourself a break and to keep your puppy safe when you cant watch his every move. Keep in mind they is a kid and they can get in to a deadly situation in seconds, crates keep him safe and out of trouble while helping you maintain your sanity, what could be better than that? Perhaps crate training puppies is not that bad after all?

Puppies sleep longer at night, so they can be left in his crate for longer than the standard three hours that are recommended, but you must keep an ear out for his fidgeting. To make this process simpler on both of you, I recommend taking water up two hours prior to bedtime and going out along with your pup last thing before you go to bed at night. Stay on a schedule! Canines alter more readily to situations that are predicable and they like being on a normalized schedule.


This is probably why puppies are more favorited among dog lovers, because just when we already know how to crate training puppies just overnight, then you could just bring your puppy anytime to anywhere without causing problems.

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Kiko crate trains Max

"Im not so sure about this..."

"I cant believe she likes it in here!"

"Actually it aint so bad!"

Max came to stay for a couple days.  I worked on crate training with him, and Kiko helped out.  I would not advise others to put two dogs in a crate! Especially unattended! But in this case Kiko really helped Max to realize it wasnt a punishment, but a safe place to relax. 

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Just Another Dog Crate Training

Here is how to crate train your dog step by step. Dog Crate training can be invaluable. Keep reading to learn more.
Crate training a dog can be invaluable. There is a lot of misconception about this way to train your dog. Let’s see how it works and if this is really as inhumane as some people are beleiving.


If you’re not familiar with the term, a dog crate is a rectangular enclosure with a floor, a top and four sides. A door, usually called a “gate,” constitutes the front side of the crate. Crates can be made from a variety of materials, but most are made of wire, molded plastic or a combination of both.

The crate’s purpose is to provide a safe, secure place where you can confine your dog for short periods. A dog should never be confined to his crate to punish him. Instead, a crate should be used for training purposes (when you want to housetrain your dog, for example), to protect your household goods from potential damage while you’re away, to provide a place for your dog to sleep, and for increased safety while you’re traveling with your dog.


Some people believe that crate training a dog is cruel and inhumane. That belief could not be more mistaken, especially if the crate training is done properly. The reality is that once your dog becomes accustomed to the crate, he’ll go into it voluntarily and love spending time there.


The Importance of Crate Training a Dog


Every year, millions of people go through the process of crate training a dog. In short, crate training involves teaching a dog to accept his crate as a good place to be. Crate training has a number of benefits for every dog owner – and every dog. Once your dog accepts his crate as his den, he’ll be less likely to experience separation anxiety when you leave the home. As a result, he’ll be much less likely to bark incessantly or destroy household items while you’re away.


A dog crate can also be an extremely helpful tool when you’re housetraining a new puppy, and it gives your dog a comfortable place to sleep if you don’t want him on your bed or other furniture.


Crate Training a Dog – The Process
Crate training a dog involves a number of steps, but everything begins with choosing the right crate and then introducing the dog to the crate properly. If you do things right, your dog will not only go into his crate voluntarily, he’ll enjoy being there. In fact, he will come to think of his crate as his own little “home” – a private haven where he’ll feel safe.


1. Select the Right Size. Your dog’s crate should be just large enough for him to sleep in and be able to turn around, but he should not be able to take more than a step or two while he’s inside. If the crate is any larger, a puppy will be tempted to use one end of the crate as a place to eliminate. As long as your dog is able to turn around inside, putting him in the crate will not be inhumane. Once you choose the right crate, make it comfortable for your dog by lining the bottom with something soft. Put a safe toy or two inside while you’re at it.


2. Find the Right Spot. Place the crate in a quiet area of your home. Many dog owners place their crates in their bedrooms. That way, your dog will have a nice place to nap in, but he’ll also have a safe, quiet place to escape to if he becomes overwhelmed by children, hectic household activities and so forth.


3. Introduce Your Dog to the Crate Slowly and Gently. Begin by opening the crate’s gate and placing treats inside. Don’t force or coerce your dog to go in – instead, let him wander in on his own to find the treats. Once he goes in, don’t close the gate. Let him enter and exit whenever he wants. Once he’s comfortable going in and out, you can close the gate with your dog inside for very short periods of time. This slow, gentle introduction will make sure your dog doesn’t feel trapped and will teach him good things happen when he’s in his crate – he gets the treats.


4. Stay Nearby at First. Until your dog is perfectly comfortable being inside the crate, stay within sight. If you close him inside and leave the room before he’s used to the crate, he’ll probably think he’s being punished. Your presence during the crate training process will comfort him and make him feel safe despite being confined. Don’t confine him inside for more than an hour or two until you’re certain he’s fully acclimated. However, once he’s accustomed to the crate, you can start closing him inside for gradually lengthening periods. Eventually you’ll be able to crate your dog for the entire work day or overnight.


5. Don’t Reward Misbehavior by Letting Him Out. If your dog starts whining, crying or barking while he’s inside the crate, letting him out is the worst mistake you can make, because you’ll be teaching him that he’ll be able to get out if he misbehaves. Instead of letting him out when he starts misbehaving, wait until he’s been quiet and calm for five minutes or so. Once he calms down and you let him out, praise him lavishly and give him a treat to reward him for being calm when he’s inside the crate.


6. Unless He’s being Confined, Keep the Gate Open. If your dog is able to wander in and out of the crate on his own, he’ll probably start viewing his crate as his den – a spot where he can sleep safely and comfortably. You can increase the likelihood your dog will adopt the crate as his den by making it cozy and comfortable and by leaving treats inside occasionally.


Crate training a dog is easy, provided you introduce your dog to the crate gradually, make it comfortable for him to be in, and never use it as punishment. When done properly, crate training almost always results in a dog that loves being in the crate, and most dog owners love using crates because they can reduce the occurrence of canine anxiety, property destruction and incessant barking while they’re away from home. They can also be invaluable aids during housetraining and other types of training aside from dog crate training.
Source: Aboutdogsandpets.com

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