Learn simple Dog Crate training basics. A dog crate is the ultimate tool in creating good doggie behavior.
Stop! Don't panic....take a deep breath. The solution is buying a dog crate for the whirling tornado as he or she tears through the house. Crate training is quick and easy and your peace of mind will be saved at last.
First Things First! Choosing A Crate
Hard sided crates are the only choice in crate training your dog. There are also open cage types
as well, but for training purposes we will be using a solid dog crate with a grid door. You will want to find one to fit the size of the dog as an adult if you are starting with a puppy.
Rule of thumb: your dog as an adult should be able to turn around with little effort. If he or she cannot do this, the crate is too small. Upgrade to the proper size since your dog in the beginning will be spending some time in it.
Puppies especially will come to know this as their private little den or cave. When they grow up, if the crate door is left open, they will go inside on their own to sleep preferring it to other locations in the house. Same goes for an adult dog that has completed his or her training. When things become hectic in a household, your dog may seek out their favorite cave to hide away from the commotion. Believe it or not, when they have been crate trained, if the crate is not accessible, they have been known to substitute the coat closet for their personal hideout.
Rule of thumb: If you come home and Fifi or Fido doesn't answer, search the closets.
Let's Start With The Puppy Palace Basics
When introducing a new puppy or dog into the home, the crate will become your best friend next to your puppy. If you are unable to watch the puppy for any length of time you can place him or her inside so that they can be safe and secure. Don't leave them in the crate for long periods of time except only after bedtime potty break and for sleeping through the night.
Your puppy may whine and paw at the crate at first, but they will soon get used to the idea this is their spot as long as you don't respond to their whimpering. Allow them time to adjust and to settle in. Also try not to return to the crate while they are whining since this would only reinforce the bad behavior and is a tactic for attention. Time it for when he or she is quiet, even if it is just after a few moments of silence. They will soon associate good doggy behavior with you returning for some fun and games. Puppies usually whine themselves out if you just stay clear of your pup's vision outside the crate.
If you should need to do something away from your puppy, place them in the crate with a few toys to keep them occupied. Include their favorite snuggle blanket, too. The psychology behind crate training, is the puppy will never have to be exposed to you getting angry. Since he or she is in their safe spot and there is nothing for them to destroy, you will return to your little furry faced tornado with a smile and joy to reunite. Your puppy can do nothing else but practice good doggy behavior. And this behavior will transition over to behaving in your house while you are absent.
The time your puppy is not in the crate, you will always be there to scold when he or she targets the no-no's in the house. This way they will associate what is within limits, such as their chew toys and what is a big "don't you dare" item in the house. So in theory the territory is well defined.
Imagine this for a moment. If you expect a puppy to behave while you are away, yet give them full run of the house, then expect the poopers and the puddles to be in the middle of the floor and the carpet and drapes to be in shreds.
What will be your reaction:
Unfortunately, all of the above creates an unstable environment and is extremely confusing to the puppy. If every time the puppy is allowed to misbehave through free run of your home, then you will create an adult dog that will come to fear you and will never identify with what they are doing wrong since you won't be there to define the limits. Hence the result will be a sad reunion instead of a happy one.
In the latter of examples, you will only reinforce destruction since the pup thinks what they did entertained you. Whereby continuing to do the same until one day it isn't cute anymore since now it becomes your $1000.00 bed ensemble or they have yanked the stuffing from your $5000.00 designer "one of kind" sofa. Now you have had enough of the antics and then the pup sees the ugly side of your discontent.
Is this instability or stability you have created? Without stability your pup will not come to trust you either, since they will never know when your anger might come unleashed.
Rule of thumb: Your dog or puppy are never at fault, only the pet owner due to inconsistent training patterns. Consistent training creates consistent, predictable behavior.
Rule of thumb: Don't use the crate for punishment as though the pup is now in exile. Get through the bad stuff with the scolding and only when caught in the act, then move to their puppy toys and make life fun again. Do not banish them to the crate. The crate will then become a negative.
The list of damage can be endless with free run of the house due to the destruction a puppy or an adult dog can do in an afternoon. If you perform the tirade at your pet, they will definitely know they have done something wrong, but he or she won't know how to behave in your absence and will greet you with tail and head down, waiting for their scolding. This is no way to have a rapport with your puppy or adult dog.
Rule of thumb: Create an association word when beginning crate training. For example: Box" or "Kennel", or any other associated word you would like to use.
Rule of thumb: Remember to bring the puppy's crate toys and blanket with them into the rest of the house once you are home. And praise them, giving them their toys again in the room you are now in. The blanket serves as a temporary bed and helps with transition to a regular dog bed.
This will be the beginning of recognition, his or her chew toys are the only things you want them to have and the blanket can be a target spot for them to relax out of the line of traffic. Eventually you can replace the blanket with a pet bed, giving him or her their permanent spot in your family. Practicing good behavior will become repetitive and soon provide the trust you will gain to leave him or her alone in the house.
Rule of thumb: Do not rush this transition. Yes, crate training is quick and easy, yet the consistency of training can take up to a year of your dog's life before you can trust them completely. Also never begin patterns of leaving your young adult loose in the house until well after 1 year of age and the same in time spent in crate training.
Even after some time your pet can backslide, to a lesser degree however, and the quickest way to correct it is to initially scold and then return your dog to his crate training for awhile. Give it some time. Only you can gauge his or her progress. Note again: Never punish your puppy directly if damage is discovered after the fact, only if you can intercede. Cleaning the mess with disgust in your voice without threatening posture toward your dog will be enough to tell your puppy you are displeased.
Rule of thumb: Gauging progress can be accomplished with in home tests.
Pretend to leave the house with your dog free to roam yet don't leave. Be outside somewhere you can observe your dog through a window or through a closed circuit video feed. Watch for a period of 15 to 30 minutes. If in the course of that time they do something wrong, you can burst through the door with a resounding "NO" and a clap of hands to startle them out of their treachery.
Now Stop! That's all, get the toys you want them to have and praise them for taking the toy while placing them back at their blanket location. Be deliberate about it, directness in your tone, without ceremony, yet not heavy handed.
Leave again and watch. Do not worry if they get up off the blanket, they'll eventually get the idea since we are not doing obedience training at this stage. Plus, by bursting into the house when they least expect it and preventing any damage also teaches your dog that at any time you can pop home and they will always get busted. Whereby learning the limits without practicing bad doggy behavior since prevention is also the key.
It is no different than during in house training of you defining the things that are off limits while you are present. Furthermore, once obedience training begins, your pup or adult will become even more agreeable to behaving once out of your presence. Informal puppy training begins from the moment they arrive into your home, and formal obedience training is not recommended before 6 months of age. Allow them to be a pup until this time.
Rule of thumb:This is very important! If you do one thing right it must be this! You must be consistent during this time of testing! If you cannot devote the testing time, then at the very least keep you dog in their crate when gone until such time as you can. This will not be a time to be lazy about training and the time spent doing this will make training worthwhile.
Rule of thumb: Dogs cannot determine time frames, so they learn to wait and behave since any moment they will either meet with disapproval for stubborn antics or see your smiling face come through the door for behaving themselves.
Now, if you get him or her to behave in another period of time, go through the door with praise and heap love on your best friend. Do not do this to the point of over stimulating the dog, however. This can create a problem in and of itself. But that's another story, one which will be addressed at another time. Just go through the door, love on your dog, maybe even direct them back to their blanket and toys, then go about doing something else that does not involve them, basically showing them calm behavior is the rule of the day.
Do something with them later, after they have settled down. Make the game playing a relaxing time, not a way of getting your dog all worked up. Great time to teach small tricks of patience by having your dog do something first, or make them wait before they get the reward, such as their favorite ball. This will not only teach them self control, but will further teach them they are not the complete center of your attention and you are not subject to their demands. Otherwise, this mindset of your dog can create a pet with separation anxiety, and you want to avoid this at all costs. Another reason why crate training is so important. It allows your pet to remain calm while out of your presence since the crate enclosure insulates them from outside stimuli that can make for a nervous pet, exacerbating separation issues. Exposure to proper stimuli comes when you are present and can observe.
If you can repeat this test more and more with extended periods with no mishaps, you have been successful. However, if your dog continues to try to pull a slick one, then crate training must be resumed and continued for a prolonged period.
Rule of thumb: To achieve true success in crate training, it is advisable on occasion, even though your dog is doing well, return him to a stay in the crate while you are gone. This will only reinforce good behavior and not be deemed as a form of punishment. Remember this is your dog's cave, and they love the security it offers.
Rule of thumb: Don't be in a hurry to complete training. It is more important for consistent training than to prematurely give free reign of the house. Incomplete training will only make further training more tasking.
You must remember one thing, dog crates are not cruel and your dog is not unhappy, but safe and content, since he or she knows when you return home you will be glad to reunite with them. See how content this little guy is....Pure Cuddly Heaven!
Dog Crates provide stability since behavior is consistent. It allows you to take a break from constant vigilance to prevent bad behavior. This is the only way your dog will learn the rules of right and wrong and you won't be coming home to a mess which in turn will raise your blood pressure, puppy or dog flee from your presence, and the cycle begins again.
Crates will also provide neat house habits. Potty training is accomplished with dog crates since this doubles as your puppy's sleeping quarters. Puppies and Dogs don't want to mess where they sleep. It teaches bladder control as well.
Rule of thumb: Don't ever punish your pet for having an accident in their crate.
Rule of thumb: In the early stages of puppy training they will have an accident in the crate during the night, so line well with shredded newspaper.
Rule of thumb: As soon as you arrive back home or after the overnight confinement, be sure to take your puppy to the potty location immediately. This will also aid in the puppy learning where they are to go potty after release from the crate. Without even trying you have begun the housebreaking process.
Remember, little puppies don't have the size of bladders older dogs do, so they will need to piddle more often. Removing water after 10 pm is advisable. It will be when they are about 4 - 6 months or older before they can handle an all-nighter. Especially as they grow and fill the inside of the crate's space, they will try even harder to control themselves. Just try to take them out late in the evening before sending them to their crate for the night. If they have an accident, just clean the mess in the morning without much adieu.
Trust me.....your puppy or dog are none too happy having to smell it, stand in it, or lay in it until you return home. This is punishment enough and they will avoid doing their business in the crate in the future. You can show disgust with some "yucks", showing your pet you're still not thrilled with the mess, just don't go bonkers over it. Your puppy or dog will get the idea without feeling threatened at the reunion. You will in a way be in agreement with your dog's excitement to be free from the mess they made.
Rule of thumb: Oh yeah....first wash the stinky from the feet before cleaning the mess in the crate or you might find poo on you....or tramped across the carpet en route to the sofa.
Rule of thumb: Be aware of necessary potty breaks during the day. Don't keep your pet inside a crate for endless hours. By doing this, you can create many potty mistakes, and this is not fair to your dog. Dog crates are for training purposes and safe housing, they are not for long periods of incarceration.
Your dogs' crate is also a lot easier to clean-up than it would have been out of the carpet. They will also be elated when their home is returned all spit shined once again. You'll see! It will amaze you how attached your dog or puppy will get to their crate. They will perform their happy dance once it is restored to like new condition. Don't be surprised if they run back inside of it to check out the fresh smell.
Rule of thumb: Do not use your crate as the baby sitter for your puppy when you go to work. This is cruel to the psyche of your little guy. Puppies need tons of human interaction and should never be confined to the crate for long periods except for through the night. If this is your plan, then don't get a puppy. Or at the very least provide doggy daycare or a pet sitter. Like anything else, check references for a good one.
Dogs are pack animals and you are a member (preferably the leader) of it's pack. Without you, the pup will feel abandoned, and then the crate will end up going from being a positive aspect to a negative one. Whereby, it will
then become a fight just to get your furry faced one into the crate.
Puppies and dogs that are ignored make for miserable beings. Ignored pets can revert to destructive behaviors, begin whining again, and crate training will be moot. Instead the crate will forever be your pets' holding cell while you are gone.
Crate Use For The Adult Dog
Training your adult dog in the use of his crate is very similar to the puppy training. The only real differences are, they can actually spend more time in a crate than a young pup. This is not to say they should be incarcerated for extended periods. Their bowel and bladder habits are more in control so confinement isn't so pressing of an issue.
If you acquire an adult dog, whether through purchase or adoption, they will need some crate training immediately if they have never been exposed before or were just kennel dogs. This will also lay the foundation of who is head dog. The crate will assist you in controlling some ingrained bad behavior by not allowing him or her to have run of the house, doing as they please.
But you want to make this new friend of yours, part of the family, you say!
A dog crate is the answer! Again, it will make the transition easier into the new home and provide you some sanity breaks during the adjustment period. Also, unlike a puppy, if the adult dog is acting out of control, in this instance, the crate is an excellent tool for placing him or her in their crate until they settle down. If they become unruly, then crates restore peace and diffuses conflict between you and your pet. Then you can prepare to bring out whatever arsenal of training equipment you might have to begin good doggy behavior and establish you as the lead pack member. This will help them from being banished to the dog house.
In dealing with the adult dog, unlike the impressionable puppy, you may need to take a stronger stand when it comes to howling, barking or whining while in their crate. Even when the pup is of an older age, 6 months or more, you can apply this training practice for such rude behavior.
Training Tip: If your pooch is whining or being obnoxious at trying to get your attention you must now insist on good behavior. Get a spray water bottle and mix in it 50/50 parts water and vinegar. Have it handy near the crate. When your pooch starts to cry out for attention, you will be ready. Spray several squirts into his face and abruptly say something like, "stop that noise".
Training Tip Tool: Another alternate, but not nearly as effective a tool, is the soda can filled with coins. Again, place near crate and when the barking or whining begins again, shake the can loudly while giving your "no noise" command. In this exercise the sound of the coins in the can is deafening to your dog and he will not be too happy. It will literally startle him out of his puppy blues.
Training Tip Tool: Some dogs may also develop a habit of digging or pawing at the floor of their crate or the door grid. This should be stopped as well and a good spritz of "Eau de Vinegar Parfum" at your dogs face should distract nicely, and should be accompanied with a firm "NO". This should never be tolerated. Digging can become a nervous habit and can then be switched to areas in your yard, or worse in the center of your carpet.
Either tool you use will be subject to your dog's sensitivity to it. One deals with taste and smell, and the other deals with their sense of hearing. Both are offensive to your dog in either form. Never strike your dog for making noise.
When dealing with an animal that might be on it's way to being your household guardian, we don't recommend using the word "NO" when he or she is barking in the crate. This word means never again, and we do not want to stop the dog from barking his warnings permanently.
We want to train him to behave while in his crate, but to bark when necessary. Being the house guardian is a good example when barking is preferred.
An adult dogs psyche can also be tender depending on their past owners, but again, through consistency, placing him or her in the crate unceremoniously and using your "no noise" tools, your new dog will quickly come to realize the benefits also of having his or her own private domain. Adult dogs are territorial and his or her crate will become theirs to defend and enjoy. Just utilize patience!
Also remember, an adult dog needs a lot of exercise. So after being cooped up for any period of time....please give your pet some vigorous play or a nice long walk in the fresh air.
Observe Crate Behavior: Ever been to a dog show? Go sometime and observe some of the dogs in their crates.
There you will see dogs ranging from the feisty Mini Schnauzer to the laid back Saint Bernard and all breeds in between, either defending their crates with fervor or snoozing contently waiting for their turn in the ring.
These are not dogs dying of boredom, but are content in the safety of their crate from the evil that can approach from out of nowhere. Nor should they be considered vicious when defending their territory in a strange area and you are the outsider as well. Remove these same dogs from their crate and they will turn into tail-wagging, face-licking bundles of fur.
In other words, you are not the member of their pack. Don't be insulted by their tenacity of indifference toward you, but realize that if these dogs were loathsome of their crates, and did not perceive their crates "as home", then the last thing they would be doing is defending it so, or chillin' in the shade. Proper dog crate training methods are key.
In Closing
Now you have the basics of dog crate training so that you too can have a pet that will not only love his crate, but will prefer it at times. And you will do it right before any damage can be done. As you read earlier, unless you might acquire a dog that didn't have life as good as you now can provide. You will have your work cut out for you a bit, but you can take a crate and turn it into a good thing through the methods provided and maintain your sanity.
You will find a dog crate to be indispensable. You will never want to be without one. Just as children have their rooms for timeouts, so too should your fuzzy faced friend. The crate will provide the quiet room for your pet in the event he or she is getting in the way or acting too rambunctious at the inopportune time. Eventually, just a strong command to the crate will be all your dog will need, and you won't even need to close the door anymore to confine him or her. Their understanding of what you expect of them will become ingrained through training and they will gladly go to their cave when they sense mom or dad are having a bad day. Ah! Sanctuary.
Also by using the crate for training your pet, if you should ever have to travel via air, your pet will feel secure in his crate, even maybe defending it against ground crew as he or she is loaded on the plane. The dog crate creates the barrier your pet needs against the bad things in life including a stranger handling their dog crate. Once on board, your dog is now in his or her cave within a cave, and the transition should be smooth. Spending the time it took to make your pet feel safe inside their crate will give you peace of mind and security that it was well worth it. Hallelujah!!!
Rule of thumb: In the event you must travel with them via air, where the dog is placed in the hull of the plane....please oh please make sure your grommets are all there and have been re-tightened. These can work loose over time, between your dog's moving around inside, leaning against the walls, and bopping up and down with excitement to see you home. Don't let your pet fall victim to getting loose inside the hull of the plane. This can become a catastrophe for your buddy, and the news could be devastating. So take the few minutes you need to check those suckers, and hunker down on them. You will be so glad you did.
Be Aware: Certain breeds of dogs have an inherent tendency to be destructive regardless of crate training. If these types of dog breeds are not nurtured and allowed to do the things their breed was genetically bred for, you will have enormous damage done to your home. So if you ignore or neglect your pet's inherent character traits and don't do things with them to stimulate and charge their brains' to their fullest potential, plan on forever owning a pet that will need to be crated every time you leave the house.
Reminder: Bored dogs will create their own fun if you don't provide it, Guaranteed.
What are you waiting for? Get started today making life easier and wonderful for you and your dog. Buy that crate!
Stop! Don't panic....take a deep breath. The solution is buying a dog crate for the whirling tornado as he or she tears through the house. Crate training is quick and easy and your peace of mind will be saved at last.First Things First! Choosing A Crate
Hard sided crates are the only choice in crate training your dog. There are also open cage types
as well, but for training purposes we will be using a solid dog crate with a grid door. You will want to find one to fit the size of the dog as an adult if you are starting with a puppy.Rule of thumb: your dog as an adult should be able to turn around with little effort. If he or she cannot do this, the crate is too small. Upgrade to the proper size since your dog in the beginning will be spending some time in it.
Puppies especially will come to know this as their private little den or cave. When they grow up, if the crate door is left open, they will go inside on their own to sleep preferring it to other locations in the house. Same goes for an adult dog that has completed his or her training. When things become hectic in a household, your dog may seek out their favorite cave to hide away from the commotion. Believe it or not, when they have been crate trained, if the crate is not accessible, they have been known to substitute the coat closet for their personal hideout.
Rule of thumb: If you come home and Fifi or Fido doesn't answer, search the closets.
Let's Start With The Puppy Palace Basics
When introducing a new puppy or dog into the home, the crate will become your best friend next to your puppy. If you are unable to watch the puppy for any length of time you can place him or her inside so that they can be safe and secure. Don't leave them in the crate for long periods of time except only after bedtime potty break and for sleeping through the night.Your puppy may whine and paw at the crate at first, but they will soon get used to the idea this is their spot as long as you don't respond to their whimpering. Allow them time to adjust and to settle in. Also try not to return to the crate while they are whining since this would only reinforce the bad behavior and is a tactic for attention. Time it for when he or she is quiet, even if it is just after a few moments of silence. They will soon associate good doggy behavior with you returning for some fun and games. Puppies usually whine themselves out if you just stay clear of your pup's vision outside the crate.
If you should need to do something away from your puppy, place them in the crate with a few toys to keep them occupied. Include their favorite snuggle blanket, too. The psychology behind crate training, is the puppy will never have to be exposed to you getting angry. Since he or she is in their safe spot and there is nothing for them to destroy, you will return to your little furry faced tornado with a smile and joy to reunite. Your puppy can do nothing else but practice good doggy behavior. And this behavior will transition over to behaving in your house while you are absent.
The time your puppy is not in the crate, you will always be there to scold when he or she targets the no-no's in the house. This way they will associate what is within limits, such as their chew toys and what is a big "don't you dare" item in the house. So in theory the territory is well defined.
Imagine this for a moment. If you expect a puppy to behave while you are away, yet give them full run of the house, then expect the poopers and the puddles to be in the middle of the floor and the carpet and drapes to be in shreds.
What will be your reaction:
- One of outrage and blame towards the pup?
- Screaming and chasing the whirling dervish?
- Pulling your hair out while you cry at the mess?
- Or in rare cases, while the pup stands with toilet paper wrapped around his head, you will bust out laughing at the cuteness of it all. Rare Indeed!
Unfortunately, all of the above creates an unstable environment and is extremely confusing to the puppy. If every time the puppy is allowed to misbehave through free run of your home, then you will create an adult dog that will come to fear you and will never identify with what they are doing wrong since you won't be there to define the limits. Hence the result will be a sad reunion instead of a happy one.In the latter of examples, you will only reinforce destruction since the pup thinks what they did entertained you. Whereby continuing to do the same until one day it isn't cute anymore since now it becomes your $1000.00 bed ensemble or they have yanked the stuffing from your $5000.00 designer "one of kind" sofa. Now you have had enough of the antics and then the pup sees the ugly side of your discontent.
Is this instability or stability you have created? Without stability your pup will not come to trust you either, since they will never know when your anger might come unleashed.
Rule of thumb: Your dog or puppy are never at fault, only the pet owner due to inconsistent training patterns. Consistent training creates consistent, predictable behavior.
Rule of thumb: Don't use the crate for punishment as though the pup is now in exile. Get through the bad stuff with the scolding and only when caught in the act, then move to their puppy toys and make life fun again. Do not banish them to the crate. The crate will then become a negative.
The list of damage can be endless with free run of the house due to the destruction a puppy or an adult dog can do in an afternoon. If you perform the tirade at your pet, they will definitely know they have done something wrong, but he or she won't know how to behave in your absence and will greet you with tail and head down, waiting for their scolding. This is no way to have a rapport with your puppy or adult dog.
Rule of thumb: Create an association word when beginning crate training. For example: Box" or "Kennel", or any other associated word you would like to use.
Rule of thumb: Remember to bring the puppy's crate toys and blanket with them into the rest of the house once you are home. And praise them, giving them their toys again in the room you are now in. The blanket serves as a temporary bed and helps with transition to a regular dog bed.This will be the beginning of recognition, his or her chew toys are the only things you want them to have and the blanket can be a target spot for them to relax out of the line of traffic. Eventually you can replace the blanket with a pet bed, giving him or her their permanent spot in your family. Practicing good behavior will become repetitive and soon provide the trust you will gain to leave him or her alone in the house.
Rule of thumb: Do not rush this transition. Yes, crate training is quick and easy, yet the consistency of training can take up to a year of your dog's life before you can trust them completely. Also never begin patterns of leaving your young adult loose in the house until well after 1 year of age and the same in time spent in crate training.
Even after some time your pet can backslide, to a lesser degree however, and the quickest way to correct it is to initially scold and then return your dog to his crate training for awhile. Give it some time. Only you can gauge his or her progress. Note again: Never punish your puppy directly if damage is discovered after the fact, only if you can intercede. Cleaning the mess with disgust in your voice without threatening posture toward your dog will be enough to tell your puppy you are displeased.
Rule of thumb: Gauging progress can be accomplished with in home tests.
Pretend to leave the house with your dog free to roam yet don't leave. Be outside somewhere you can observe your dog through a window or through a closed circuit video feed. Watch for a period of 15 to 30 minutes. If in the course of that time they do something wrong, you can burst through the door with a resounding "NO" and a clap of hands to startle them out of their treachery.
Now Stop! That's all, get the toys you want them to have and praise them for taking the toy while placing them back at their blanket location. Be deliberate about it, directness in your tone, without ceremony, yet not heavy handed.
Leave again and watch. Do not worry if they get up off the blanket, they'll eventually get the idea since we are not doing obedience training at this stage. Plus, by bursting into the house when they least expect it and preventing any damage also teaches your dog that at any time you can pop home and they will always get busted. Whereby learning the limits without practicing bad doggy behavior since prevention is also the key.
It is no different than during in house training of you defining the things that are off limits while you are present. Furthermore, once obedience training begins, your pup or adult will become even more agreeable to behaving once out of your presence. Informal puppy training begins from the moment they arrive into your home, and formal obedience training is not recommended before 6 months of age. Allow them to be a pup until this time.
Rule of thumb:This is very important! If you do one thing right it must be this! You must be consistent during this time of testing! If you cannot devote the testing time, then at the very least keep you dog in their crate when gone until such time as you can. This will not be a time to be lazy about training and the time spent doing this will make training worthwhile.
Rule of thumb: Dogs cannot determine time frames, so they learn to wait and behave since any moment they will either meet with disapproval for stubborn antics or see your smiling face come through the door for behaving themselves.
Now, if you get him or her to behave in another period of time, go through the door with praise and heap love on your best friend. Do not do this to the point of over stimulating the dog, however. This can create a problem in and of itself. But that's another story, one which will be addressed at another time. Just go through the door, love on your dog, maybe even direct them back to their blanket and toys, then go about doing something else that does not involve them, basically showing them calm behavior is the rule of the day.
Do something with them later, after they have settled down. Make the game playing a relaxing time, not a way of getting your dog all worked up. Great time to teach small tricks of patience by having your dog do something first, or make them wait before they get the reward, such as their favorite ball. This will not only teach them self control, but will further teach them they are not the complete center of your attention and you are not subject to their demands. Otherwise, this mindset of your dog can create a pet with separation anxiety, and you want to avoid this at all costs. Another reason why crate training is so important. It allows your pet to remain calm while out of your presence since the crate enclosure insulates them from outside stimuli that can make for a nervous pet, exacerbating separation issues. Exposure to proper stimuli comes when you are present and can observe.If you can repeat this test more and more with extended periods with no mishaps, you have been successful. However, if your dog continues to try to pull a slick one, then crate training must be resumed and continued for a prolonged period.
Rule of thumb: To achieve true success in crate training, it is advisable on occasion, even though your dog is doing well, return him to a stay in the crate while you are gone. This will only reinforce good behavior and not be deemed as a form of punishment. Remember this is your dog's cave, and they love the security it offers.
Rule of thumb: Don't be in a hurry to complete training. It is more important for consistent training than to prematurely give free reign of the house. Incomplete training will only make further training more tasking.
You must remember one thing, dog crates are not cruel and your dog is not unhappy, but safe and content, since he or she knows when you return home you will be glad to reunite with them. See how content this little guy is....Pure Cuddly Heaven!
Dog Crates provide stability since behavior is consistent. It allows you to take a break from constant vigilance to prevent bad behavior. This is the only way your dog will learn the rules of right and wrong and you won't be coming home to a mess which in turn will raise your blood pressure, puppy or dog flee from your presence, and the cycle begins again.
Crates will also provide neat house habits. Potty training is accomplished with dog crates since this doubles as your puppy's sleeping quarters. Puppies and Dogs don't want to mess where they sleep. It teaches bladder control as well.
Rule of thumb: Don't ever punish your pet for having an accident in their crate.
Rule of thumb: In the early stages of puppy training they will have an accident in the crate during the night, so line well with shredded newspaper.
Rule of thumb: As soon as you arrive back home or after the overnight confinement, be sure to take your puppy to the potty location immediately. This will also aid in the puppy learning where they are to go potty after release from the crate. Without even trying you have begun the housebreaking process.
Remember, little puppies don't have the size of bladders older dogs do, so they will need to piddle more often. Removing water after 10 pm is advisable. It will be when they are about 4 - 6 months or older before they can handle an all-nighter. Especially as they grow and fill the inside of the crate's space, they will try even harder to control themselves. Just try to take them out late in the evening before sending them to their crate for the night. If they have an accident, just clean the mess in the morning without much adieu.
Trust me.....your puppy or dog are none too happy having to smell it, stand in it, or lay in it until you return home. This is punishment enough and they will avoid doing their business in the crate in the future. You can show disgust with some "yucks", showing your pet you're still not thrilled with the mess, just don't go bonkers over it. Your puppy or dog will get the idea without feeling threatened at the reunion. You will in a way be in agreement with your dog's excitement to be free from the mess they made.
Rule of thumb: Oh yeah....first wash the stinky from the feet before cleaning the mess in the crate or you might find poo on you....or tramped across the carpet en route to the sofa.
Rule of thumb: Be aware of necessary potty breaks during the day. Don't keep your pet inside a crate for endless hours. By doing this, you can create many potty mistakes, and this is not fair to your dog. Dog crates are for training purposes and safe housing, they are not for long periods of incarceration.
Your dogs' crate is also a lot easier to clean-up than it would have been out of the carpet. They will also be elated when their home is returned all spit shined once again. You'll see! It will amaze you how attached your dog or puppy will get to their crate. They will perform their happy dance once it is restored to like new condition. Don't be surprised if they run back inside of it to check out the fresh smell.
Rule of thumb: Do not use your crate as the baby sitter for your puppy when you go to work. This is cruel to the psyche of your little guy. Puppies need tons of human interaction and should never be confined to the crate for long periods except for through the night. If this is your plan, then don't get a puppy. Or at the very least provide doggy daycare or a pet sitter. Like anything else, check references for a good one.
Dogs are pack animals and you are a member (preferably the leader) of it's pack. Without you, the pup will feel abandoned, and then the crate will end up going from being a positive aspect to a negative one. Whereby, it will
then become a fight just to get your furry faced one into the crate.Puppies and dogs that are ignored make for miserable beings. Ignored pets can revert to destructive behaviors, begin whining again, and crate training will be moot. Instead the crate will forever be your pets' holding cell while you are gone.
Crate Use For The Adult Dog
Training your adult dog in the use of his crate is very similar to the puppy training. The only real differences are, they can actually spend more time in a crate than a young pup. This is not to say they should be incarcerated for extended periods. Their bowel and bladder habits are more in control so confinement isn't so pressing of an issue.
If you acquire an adult dog, whether through purchase or adoption, they will need some crate training immediately if they have never been exposed before or were just kennel dogs. This will also lay the foundation of who is head dog. The crate will assist you in controlling some ingrained bad behavior by not allowing him or her to have run of the house, doing as they please.
But you want to make this new friend of yours, part of the family, you say!
A dog crate is the answer! Again, it will make the transition easier into the new home and provide you some sanity breaks during the adjustment period. Also, unlike a puppy, if the adult dog is acting out of control, in this instance, the crate is an excellent tool for placing him or her in their crate until they settle down. If they become unruly, then crates restore peace and diffuses conflict between you and your pet. Then you can prepare to bring out whatever arsenal of training equipment you might have to begin good doggy behavior and establish you as the lead pack member. This will help them from being banished to the dog house.
In dealing with the adult dog, unlike the impressionable puppy, you may need to take a stronger stand when it comes to howling, barking or whining while in their crate. Even when the pup is of an older age, 6 months or more, you can apply this training practice for such rude behavior.
Training Tip: If your pooch is whining or being obnoxious at trying to get your attention you must now insist on good behavior. Get a spray water bottle and mix in it 50/50 parts water and vinegar. Have it handy near the crate. When your pooch starts to cry out for attention, you will be ready. Spray several squirts into his face and abruptly say something like, "stop that noise".
Training Tip Tool: Another alternate, but not nearly as effective a tool, is the soda can filled with coins. Again, place near crate and when the barking or whining begins again, shake the can loudly while giving your "no noise" command. In this exercise the sound of the coins in the can is deafening to your dog and he will not be too happy. It will literally startle him out of his puppy blues.
Training Tip Tool: Some dogs may also develop a habit of digging or pawing at the floor of their crate or the door grid. This should be stopped as well and a good spritz of "Eau de Vinegar Parfum" at your dogs face should distract nicely, and should be accompanied with a firm "NO". This should never be tolerated. Digging can become a nervous habit and can then be switched to areas in your yard, or worse in the center of your carpet.
Either tool you use will be subject to your dog's sensitivity to it. One deals with taste and smell, and the other deals with their sense of hearing. Both are offensive to your dog in either form. Never strike your dog for making noise.
When dealing with an animal that might be on it's way to being your household guardian, we don't recommend using the word "NO" when he or she is barking in the crate. This word means never again, and we do not want to stop the dog from barking his warnings permanently.
We want to train him to behave while in his crate, but to bark when necessary. Being the house guardian is a good example when barking is preferred.
An adult dogs psyche can also be tender depending on their past owners, but again, through consistency, placing him or her in the crate unceremoniously and using your "no noise" tools, your new dog will quickly come to realize the benefits also of having his or her own private domain. Adult dogs are territorial and his or her crate will become theirs to defend and enjoy. Just utilize patience!Also remember, an adult dog needs a lot of exercise. So after being cooped up for any period of time....please give your pet some vigorous play or a nice long walk in the fresh air.
Observe Crate Behavior: Ever been to a dog show? Go sometime and observe some of the dogs in their crates.
There you will see dogs ranging from the feisty Mini Schnauzer to the laid back Saint Bernard and all breeds in between, either defending their crates with fervor or snoozing contently waiting for their turn in the ring.
These are not dogs dying of boredom, but are content in the safety of their crate from the evil that can approach from out of nowhere. Nor should they be considered vicious when defending their territory in a strange area and you are the outsider as well. Remove these same dogs from their crate and they will turn into tail-wagging, face-licking bundles of fur.
In other words, you are not the member of their pack. Don't be insulted by their tenacity of indifference toward you, but realize that if these dogs were loathsome of their crates, and did not perceive their crates "as home", then the last thing they would be doing is defending it so, or chillin' in the shade. Proper dog crate training methods are key.
In Closing
Now you have the basics of dog crate training so that you too can have a pet that will not only love his crate, but will prefer it at times. And you will do it right before any damage can be done. As you read earlier, unless you might acquire a dog that didn't have life as good as you now can provide. You will have your work cut out for you a bit, but you can take a crate and turn it into a good thing through the methods provided and maintain your sanity.
You will find a dog crate to be indispensable. You will never want to be without one. Just as children have their rooms for timeouts, so too should your fuzzy faced friend. The crate will provide the quiet room for your pet in the event he or she is getting in the way or acting too rambunctious at the inopportune time. Eventually, just a strong command to the crate will be all your dog will need, and you won't even need to close the door anymore to confine him or her. Their understanding of what you expect of them will become ingrained through training and they will gladly go to their cave when they sense mom or dad are having a bad day. Ah! Sanctuary.
Also by using the crate for training your pet, if you should ever have to travel via air, your pet will feel secure in his crate, even maybe defending it against ground crew as he or she is loaded on the plane. The dog crate creates the barrier your pet needs against the bad things in life including a stranger handling their dog crate. Once on board, your dog is now in his or her cave within a cave, and the transition should be smooth. Spending the time it took to make your pet feel safe inside their crate will give you peace of mind and security that it was well worth it. Hallelujah!!!
Rule of thumb: In the event you must travel with them via air, where the dog is placed in the hull of the plane....please oh please make sure your grommets are all there and have been re-tightened. These can work loose over time, between your dog's moving around inside, leaning against the walls, and bopping up and down with excitement to see you home. Don't let your pet fall victim to getting loose inside the hull of the plane. This can become a catastrophe for your buddy, and the news could be devastating. So take the few minutes you need to check those suckers, and hunker down on them. You will be so glad you did.
Be Aware: Certain breeds of dogs have an inherent tendency to be destructive regardless of crate training. If these types of dog breeds are not nurtured and allowed to do the things their breed was genetically bred for, you will have enormous damage done to your home. So if you ignore or neglect your pet's inherent character traits and don't do things with them to stimulate and charge their brains' to their fullest potential, plan on forever owning a pet that will need to be crated every time you leave the house.Reminder: Bored dogs will create their own fun if you don't provide it, Guaranteed.
What are you waiting for? Get started today making life easier and wonderful for you and your dog. Buy that crate!
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