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Crate Training Your Dog
Crate Training Your Dog
Learn how to train your dog to use his crate as a home.
by Karen Peak
contributing writer
July 11, 2004
Crate training is not cruel nor should it be punishment for
Puppy. A crate the proper size for Puppy is: a safe place
to be while sleeping; safety when you are not around to watch
him; a place to eat uninterrupted; a place to go to get away
from it all. Dogs are den animals and many like a place they
can curl up in and feel secure.
WHY USE A CRATE?
You can leave Puppy or Doggy home alone with peace of mind.
He is comfortable and not forming bad or destructive habits.
He also is not going to be confused by your reactions to bad
behavior when you return. Remember, dogs do not have the reasoning
humans do. When we return and see the garbage rooted through
and then punish Puppy, chances are he will not realize what
you are punishing him for. He may think you are punishing
him for something completely different. Crates also make house
training easier. Puppies and dogs generally will not soil
their sleeping and eating area. Used with a consistent schedule,
a crate can be your best ally with house training. Crates
offer safety when traveling. A dog in a crate is far less
likely to be injured in an accident. A crate keeps your dog
from bouncing around, getting on your lap, blocking your view
or even getting under the driver's feet! If crating while
driving is not possible, at least train Puppy to lie quietly
in the back seat or use a doggy seat belt available at many
pet supply places.
WHAT A CRATE IS NOT!
A crate is not a substitute for human companionship. Use
of a crate should be limited to no more than eight hours,
less for a younger animal. If your work schedule is longer
than that, consider getting a dog walker to exercise Puppy
or Doggy for you midday. There are also Dog Day Care centers
cropping up! Crates are not to be used for punishment. The
crate must be viewed by Puppy as a safe place to be. Do not
allow your children to torment Puppy while crated. Make sure
he has fresh water, a sturdy bed and safe toys (rotate toys
daily so he always has different ones and a different combination).
WHERE TO PUT THE CRATE
Put the crate in a people area such as family room, kitchen
or even the bedroom. You do not want your dog to feel banished
when crated so the cellar or garage is no good.
WHERE TO GET THE CRATE
Many pet supply and feed stores carry crates or you can mail
order them. Do not be put off by the cost - crates are far
less expensive than replacing a shredded couch or even carpet
cleaning by a professional company. Some crates are quite
reasonably priced. You can even find them at yard sales!!!
(Make certain all the hardware is there and the door latches
correctly and securely). PetsMart, PetCo, various pet supple
and feed stores generally carry crates. If you wish to check
out mail orders, a few places to get catalogs from are: Cherrybrook
1-800-524-0820, www.cherrybrook.com;
Mid-West Metal Products, 1-800-428-8560; Doctors Foster &
Smith, 1-800-826-7206, drsfostersmith.com;
New England Serum Company, 1-800-637-3786, www.neserum.com.
Or else, check out your local dog shows. Often vendors selling
a myriad or doggy items will be there. I have purchased many
an item from dog shows - including crates! For a list of upcoming
dog shows nationwide, check out INFODOG.COM!
INTRODUCING THE CRATE
First remove your dog's collar so he will not get caught.
It happens rarely, by why take the risk. NEVER crate a dog
with a choke collar on. Choke collars should NEVER be used
for everyday use - they are for training and walks only, then
should be removed. The same for a pinch collar! Set up the
crate in the place you wish to keep it. Encourage your dog
or puppy to enter the crate by enticing him with bits of food.
Use something he cannot resist like cooked chicken or hot
dog slices. Praise as he enters. Let him walk in and out a
few times. Now start to encourage him to lie down quietly
and relax. Give him a couple safe toys and close the door.
Sit with him and talk softly. Let him out. Now start to leave
for a short time. Even if he cries and whines, do not weaken.
He should adjust to the crate eventually. Just keep making
it a positive experience.
HOW LONG TO USE THE CRATE
Some dogs can never be trusted with run of the house unattended.
Some dogs are fine. If you think your dog is able to behave
uncrated, begin testing by leaving his loose for five minutes
while you walk outside. If that works, increase to ten, fifteen
and so on. Should he begin to misbehave, continue using the
crate. It is safer for Doggy and saner for you!
CRATES AS A HOUSE TRAINING AIDE
Always have a feeding and potty schedule for your puppy or
adult dog. This makes house training much easier. If you are
not able to be with Puppy, put him in the crate. Take him
out on lead and encourage him to go potty. Once he does, praise
lavishly and bring back inside. Should he not go, put him
back in the crate and try again in a little bit. Dogs do not
like to soil their beds as a rule. Should he soil the crate,
take him out while someone cleans the crate.
Do not punish for eliminating in the house unless you catch
him in the act. DO NOT rub his nose in it or hit him. Just
give a loud, firm, growly "AAAAAH! NO!!!" and get him out
immediately. Try to get him to potty outside and then praise
lavishly when he goes. Remember, the younger the Puppy, the
smaller the bladder capacity. It is unreasonable to ask a
young puppy to hold an eight-hour day. Consider a dog walker
for a midday potty break. Also, sometimes older dogs have
bladder control issues. Sudden house soiling in a dog without
problems could be a sign of an underlying problem such as
a bladder infection. Unaltered or spayed dogs are also more
apt to soil in the house. Males if not neutered have a greater
chance of wanting to mark their territory and may do so inside.
I also know females who mark. Do not paper train or use those
pads designed for puppy to eliminate on. This only teaches
Puppy it is OK to potty in the house. Paper training could
actually delay house training.
- Karen Peak
From Karen Peak of West Wind Dog Training, http://www.westwinddogtraining.com.
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