Post by admin on Aug 16, 2004 7:03:17 GMT -5
A Basic Crate Training Method
First, of course, you need a crate... For a page on how to choose a crate and a dog bed for it, click here.
Select a good location for the crate -- or more than one location. In your bedroom is good at night, but while you are home during the day, it's best to have the crate near where people will be. Either move the crate around, or some people have two crates. Don't put the crate where sunlight coming in from a window will make the air hot for the dog.
Tie the door open, or even take it off at first. Let the dog notice the crate and examine it if he wishes.
Bit by bit, make it more interesting. Throw toys or treats in. Talk lovingly to him if he goes in. Pet him while he is in the crate.
Begin feeding the dog in the crate. When he is comfortable going in (and this can be anything from an hour to several weeks), then begin closing the door for short periods of time while you are right there.
If he whines to get out, don't let him out and don't sweet-talk him until there is a moment when he isn't whining. Then you can let him out. If you let him out while he is whining, you are teaching him that whining works with you.
With each of the steps, pay attention to what the dog indicates about his feelings. Crate training is most effective when it isn't rushed. If he is uncomfortable at a particular step, back up to a previous one.
Once he accepts the door closed while you are there, begin going elsewhere in your home and gradually lengthening the time you are gone. Having toys in the crate is useful here.
Then leave the house for a very short time and come back, working up to leaving longer and longer.
Close the dog in at bedtime and let it out first thing in the morning. If you are housetraining a young puppy, you will probably be going outside with it in the middle of the night for a while.
And that -- in a nutshell -- is that!
Crate Training Tips
### Never put the dog into the crate as punishment. You want the dog to think of it in a happy way.
### You have to go back to work and your new puppy or dog still isn't completely crate-trained or reliable when loose in the house. What to do? Create an alternative space for a while (see below), or crate the dog and ask a friend or neighbor to come by once or several times during the day, either as a favor or for pay, to let the dog out for a while.
### Be sure to leave some toys or treats with the dog. I've done a page on the Kong, a bouncy rubber dog toy that you can fill with dog treats, peanut butter, cheese, etc., to occupy your dog for a good long time. (It's excellent for occupying an uncrated dog too.)
### If a dog is tired out, he will accept the crate more willingly. That means exercise! Many dog behavior problems diminish with exercise.
### You may have read that crate-training is "natural" because dogs are descended from wolves, who live in dens. While there is a grain of truth in that, a crate is also an artificial confinement device which many people use mainly for their own convenience. So use it as little as possible with the door closed!
### Keep an eye on the crate for signs that the dog became frustrated and tried to get out.
### You can combine clicker training with crate training. Click when the dog goes in, then give a treat
First, of course, you need a crate... For a page on how to choose a crate and a dog bed for it, click here.
Select a good location for the crate -- or more than one location. In your bedroom is good at night, but while you are home during the day, it's best to have the crate near where people will be. Either move the crate around, or some people have two crates. Don't put the crate where sunlight coming in from a window will make the air hot for the dog.
Tie the door open, or even take it off at first. Let the dog notice the crate and examine it if he wishes.
Bit by bit, make it more interesting. Throw toys or treats in. Talk lovingly to him if he goes in. Pet him while he is in the crate.
Begin feeding the dog in the crate. When he is comfortable going in (and this can be anything from an hour to several weeks), then begin closing the door for short periods of time while you are right there.
If he whines to get out, don't let him out and don't sweet-talk him until there is a moment when he isn't whining. Then you can let him out. If you let him out while he is whining, you are teaching him that whining works with you.
With each of the steps, pay attention to what the dog indicates about his feelings. Crate training is most effective when it isn't rushed. If he is uncomfortable at a particular step, back up to a previous one.
Once he accepts the door closed while you are there, begin going elsewhere in your home and gradually lengthening the time you are gone. Having toys in the crate is useful here.
Then leave the house for a very short time and come back, working up to leaving longer and longer.
Close the dog in at bedtime and let it out first thing in the morning. If you are housetraining a young puppy, you will probably be going outside with it in the middle of the night for a while.
And that -- in a nutshell -- is that!
Crate Training Tips
### Never put the dog into the crate as punishment. You want the dog to think of it in a happy way.
### You have to go back to work and your new puppy or dog still isn't completely crate-trained or reliable when loose in the house. What to do? Create an alternative space for a while (see below), or crate the dog and ask a friend or neighbor to come by once or several times during the day, either as a favor or for pay, to let the dog out for a while.
### Be sure to leave some toys or treats with the dog. I've done a page on the Kong, a bouncy rubber dog toy that you can fill with dog treats, peanut butter, cheese, etc., to occupy your dog for a good long time. (It's excellent for occupying an uncrated dog too.)
### If a dog is tired out, he will accept the crate more willingly. That means exercise! Many dog behavior problems diminish with exercise.
### You may have read that crate-training is "natural" because dogs are descended from wolves, who live in dens. While there is a grain of truth in that, a crate is also an artificial confinement device which many people use mainly for their own convenience. So use it as little as possible with the door closed!
### Keep an eye on the crate for signs that the dog became frustrated and tried to get out.
### You can combine clicker training with crate training. Click when the dog goes in, then give a treat