Some key things to keep in mind on how to crate train a dog are that this
can and should be a slow cautious process.Do not rush it or
your pup may not take well to his crate.The training needs
to be done in slow steady steps.Alittle each day will be far
faster and more productive than trying to force the
issue.
A dogs crate should be associated in his mind with pleasant
and happy feelings.You need to reinforce his natural instinct
to make his crate his den.
When you first bring the crate home,try to locate it in an
out of the way preferably quiet location.Bring your dog or pup
to the crate and allow him to inspect it.Try to tie the door
open so that it doesn't accidentally close on him and scare
him.Remember he needs to feel comfortable with the crate as
though it is his den.
At first he may not like it because it will smell
different.Sit down next to the crate and spend time with
him.Talk soothingly and calmly in a pleasant tone of
voice.Don't by any means try to force the issue and just stuff
him inside.This will backfire in a big way.Don't get upset if
he refuses to come close to the crate.To his sense of smell it
just may not be right and may take more time until he is
comfortable.
In the first stages of dog crate training you
might want to try enticing him closer to the crate with his
favorite treats.Just take it slow,a little more each
day,several times a day.He may take to his den right away or
it may take more time.Just be patient.
Once he is comfortable with entering his dog training crate,you might try
feeding him from his food dish inside the crate.You could
try putting the dish all the way back in the crate to see if
he will go in to eat,but you may find it necessary to simply
start closer to the front and work your way in.You need to
associate, in his mind, the crate with happy ,safe and
comfortable feelings.
As he gets more used to being in his "den",try shutting the
crate door.If your dog shows any sign of fear or
apprehension,quickly open the door.You don't want to add to
your problems by making him scared right off the bat.The next
time you feed him,try shutting it again.Keep doing so until he
is comfortable with being inside.It will happen,be patient.
Once your dog gets comfortable with eating in his crate with
the door shut and has finished eating,try leaving him
inside.Associating his food with a soothing tone of voice from
you giving him praise should reinforce in his mind that his
dog crate training is a good thing
and something that pleases you.
If he starts to whine right away,you may have left him in
the crate a little too long at first.You may have to try
increasing the amount of time that he is inside
slowly.Regardless if you take him out as soon as he starts to
whine you will be sending him the message that whining will
cause you to do what he wants.Let him stop whining first before
you take him out of his dog crate.
With time and patience your dog will get comfortable eating
and staying confined in his crate.At this point you can try
leaving him inside for short periods of time while you are at
home.
Begin by calling him over to his crate with his favorite
treat.Point to the crate with his treat and give him a command
to enter.Try saying something like,kennel,crate or even
den.Whatever works for you,just be consistent with whatever
command you want to use for crate training. Just so that he
understands what is desired by you.
When he does what you ask by entering his dog crate heap on
the praise and give him his treat.Close the door and try
sitting quietly by the crate for about five to ten
minutes.After that time get up and go into another room for a
little while maybe another five to ten minutes.Then come back
and let him out.
Continue this process with goal of trying to lengthen the
amount of time that you are away from his sight.It may help to
give him his favorite toy to occupy his time.Toys that hold a
treat inside and which he has to work at getting the treat out
like a "Kong Stuff a
Ball" might be best.
Keep working with your pup until he can stay calmly inside
his crate for a about a half hour or so with out seeing you.At
this point you should be able to leave him in his crate while
you're gone for short time periods.Be prepared as this may take
several days or even weeks to crate train your dog,but done properly
your reward will be a well behaved pup.
No dog no matter how well trained should ever be left in a
crate for more than eight hours.That is cruel and unusual
punishment and will break down all the good work you have
strived so hard for.If you know that you are going to be away
from home for extended times then you are going to have to
arrange for someone to let your dog out.Think of it this
way,you wouldn't want to be in a cell more than eight hours
would you?
If you will consistently be away from home for extended
times you may need to reexamine why you wanted a dog in the
first place.It is not fair to the dog to be ignored.
Taking the time and making the effort to learn how to
crate train a dog is well worth it.He is
happier knowing that he is pleasing you and has his safe
little den.You end up with a well behaved pup that you can
be proud of and enjoy for years.
Amazon sells a book by Shirlee Kalstone titled
How to Housebreak Your Dog in 7 Days.While I have not read
it and can't comment on whether or not it is good,91 people
that did buy it gave reviews.Over half of those reveiws were 5
star out of 5.You might want to check it out.