Monday, November 17, 2008

Crate Training Dog

Dog Crate Training

First you will need to help them get used to the crate, before you begin locking them in. You can watch your dog from a distance to see how long it takes them to calm down and get used to the crate. Remember this is for training so if he begins to act up you should not let him out. Be patient and let him calm down and then you can let him out. Do this exercise for a couple of days until he has learned to enter the crate and leave it on his own.

Some people oppose the idea of crate training dogs, because they think is a cruel form of isolation. However, with the benefits mentioned below and other benefits not listed in this article, may help you to conclude that crate training could benefit both owner and his dog.

With appropriate and sufficient training, crate training your puppy or dog will make him see it as his haven instead of an enclosure that makes him feel unsafe and lonely.

Crate training is based on the instinct of the dog to find some security with den nesting places that are isolated from all distractions. For dogs, a den can serve as their home. Through proper introduction and selection of the right techniques, the dog will not be threatened by this approach to training.

Why You Should Use a Crate

a) For occasions when the dog cannot run around freely, placing them in a crate will be a good choice for controlling their movements.

b) Dogs will begin to feel secure inside the crate and appreciate the safety zone it provides when they are in an unfamiliar place.

c) The crate quickly becomes a familiar place to rest and retreat too from things that make them uncomfortable.

d) Some dogs may have some behavior problems that can be helped with proper crate training.

e) Puppies respond well to crate training as a way to teach them potty training skills and what not to chew on or to not bite people.

f) If your dog has separation anxieties, once they become familiar with their crate they will be able to calm down better.

g) It could secure the dog whenever the owner has to bring him outside.

h) It increases his confidence due to the security it provides.

i) Crates could enhance training by giving the dog a better sense of direction for routine activities.

Size of the Crate

You will need to choose a crate that allows the dog enough room to stand up and lie down comfortably, without him hitting his head or body against the walls or door all the time. It is also important to know that if you plan on traveling you will want to consider purchasing a slightly larger crate.

If you are using the crate for training only, it should follow the guidelines that was just mentioned, since a larger crate would give him enough room to do unwanted things in the crate.

How to introduce the crate to the dog

The best time to introduce the crate to a dog is when you feel that they are ready for it. After buying the right crate, you could place it somewhere in the house where it would catch the dog’s attention. Let him explore his crate first for the first week with the door removed.

If he does not show any sign of interest, try leaving some of his favorite treats inside. Once he becomes more familiar with the crate, try feeding your dog inside it. This will condition his mind that the crate is for him and he can safely go inside it without fearing any harm.

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