To your dog his or her dog crate can be a very special and comfortable place. A safe place, a den of sorts, that your dog can go to when he wants to feel secure. There is a myth out there that using a dog crate or an anti bark collar is cruel, but that is not true as long as you leave them in for no more than a few hours. In fact, crate training your dog properly has many advantages for both you and your pet and should be something that you incorporate into your dog training plans.
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It’s actually very critical in the training process that you never coerce your dog to enter the crate. The best thing is to have your dog enter the crate on his own volition. The cool thing is that when you do this right, your dog will love his crate and want to be in it regularly. When you go about this as you’re supposed to, the crate will be a welcome vacation from the hustle and bustle for your pet.
Initial Introduction to The Crate
It’s a really good idea to take something he’s familiar with, put it near the crate and spend time with your dog near the crate. Take one of his favorite toys or a treat and “hang out” by the crate so that he simply gets used to the crate being in the room. When you introduce the crate to the home, it should be in a place where you permanently want to keep it, and where members of your family hang out. Make sure that the place you introduce the crate is away from heavily traffiked area of the home. Lonliness can be a problem if you stick your dog off somewhere for convenience or just because the crate may be unsightly!
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Putting Your Dog in The Crate
Next, you want to get the dog to go into the crate on his own. One way to do that is to “bribe” him by putting his favorite toy or a treat inside. Don’t put it too far in to begin with, just enough so he has to stick his head in to get it. Y
You’ll probably find that he pokes his head in and then backs our right away. That’s OK, just be sure to pet and praise him so he feels good about the whole thing.
Keep doing this daily, moving the treat or toy further and further inside. You also might want to be sure that you have a comfortable dog bed in there just in case Fido wants to try it out for a short nap.
Eventually, your dog will get used to going in the crate. When you see him in there, sit beside the crate and pet your dog while he is inside. This will let him know that being in the crate is “good”. During this stage, don’t close the crate door.
The Best Way to Encourage His Desire for the Crate
Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat. When he seems quite comfortable with it, close the door but do not latch it. Leave it unlocked so that he can nose his way out if he feels uncomfortable.
Eventually, your dog will come to love his crate and will probably retreat there if he is feeling insecure as well as to sleep. If you are going to close the door, be sure you provide him with fresh water at all times and never leave your dog locked in the crate for extended amounts of time.