Sunday, October 19, 2008

Crate Training For Dogs

Crate Training For Dogs

First you will need to help them get used to the crate, before you begin locking them in. You could walk away from him or watch him as he calms down inside. Remember this is for training so if he begins to act up you should not let him out. Instead, let him settle down first then let him leave after awhile. 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.

This type of training is based on the idea of a den or nesting place where dogs can go in order to feel safe and secluded. Dens are what dogs naturally seek for in a 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) The dog will feel relatively safe inside the crate especially when located in places where they are most vulnerable.

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) It is also a good place for puppies that are still untrained and might cause some trouble within the home such as biting.

f) This could also be good for dogs with separation anxiety.

g) Another advantage is that it keeps the dog safe whenever you bring him outside the home.

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 Does Matter

The crate should be large enough to accommodate the dog on all fours, to let him lie down comfortably and to give him enough space to turn around without hitting the walls. However, if you also intend to use the crate for travel, the crate should be larger than the regular above mentioned size.

However, when a crate is used for just training purposes, they do not need to be so large that the dog can move around in it and maybe do something undesirable inside it.

Introducing Your Dog to Their Crate

Once you feel your dog is ready for the crate, that is the best time to introduce them to 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.

Some dogs will not show any interest in the crate so you may want to perk their interest by putting a favorite toy or treat 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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