Training your dog to use a crate may be more work than teaching a puppy, but it is all a state of mind. If done correctly, your dog will feel at ease within his crate and not be capable of causing problems while you are not in the same room watching him.
These are some tips and ideas that may assist you in appropriately crate training your grown dog.
*Crate Size Is Important
Your dog should be able to turn around and stand up in his crate. The crate is too small if your dog cannot do these things comfortably.
Find some sort of bedding to put in the crate.
If the bedding is comfortable, it does not matter if it was made especially for this crate. Make sure to choose a washable bedding that is easy to clean.
Often times dogs can be mistreated by past owners, and if you are attempting to crate train and your dog seems afraid of the crate, it could be because it was punished or neglected in a crate in the past. These issues will require more patience with your pet in order to successfully crate train.
*Introduce Gradually
Start by putting the crate in an area that your dog is comfortable with. Be sure to leave the crate fully accessible and with the door open wide. Do not force your dog to go inside the crate instead, allow your dog to explore the crate at his or her leisure.
To increase your dog’s interest in the crate, either place treats or toys near the door of the crate. After some time, you can place treats inside the crate.
When they go inside because they decide to, gently close the door, but be sure to stay in the same room. Close the door for a few minutes.
Increase the amount of time spent in the crate gradually.
Through time your dog will not mind if you leave the door shut for longer time periods. Next, for a few minutes, exit the room; slowly, raise the amount of time you are gone.
You must not progress to the next phase until your pet appears to be comfortable with the present phase.
A huge mistake that many people make when crate training a dog is to use the crate as a form of retributation.
You only want to use a crate in a positive manner, otherwise your dog will view his time in the crate as punishment and will not be happy or secure using it. If done properly, your dog will think that its a good place to live without any fear or tension.
Once you have successfully introduced the crate training, you will be able to leave him in the crate for hours at a time.
Some people make the decision to put their dog in a crate while they are at work. Many people may leave their dog in a crate overnight. Choose only one as it is not a good idea to do both of them.
If you crate your dog in the day while you are working in addition to the period when you are asleep, then your pet might spend over 16 hours per day in the crate, more time than they will spend outside of it. Please do not do that.
Ensuring that your dog is properly crate trained is a slow process. It could take a while, but in the end it will be worth it. During training, it’s important to reward your dog while he’s in the crate so he starts thinking that going into the crate is a good thing, and not some kind of punishment.
You should help your dog learn that the crate is a safe place for him or her while you are not at home.
Stay calm and patient and everything should work out ok.
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