Dog Behavior Questions Solved About Crate Training

For the life of your pet, you will have tons of dog behavior questions. And that is normal!

My story begins, sadly...

Sandy became "my" dog. I affectionately called her, "the fugs". Don't know where the nickname came from, it just did. After I had to lay to rest my beloved "Sandy" a cute, little, apricot, toy poodle. I was incredibly distraught. After all, she was my grandmother's dog. My grandmother had passed away several years earlier, so it was like I was "re-burying" my grandmother. I was very close to my "Bottie". She lived with us after her husband died.

So, I go to the animal shelter and I am looking for a small dog. I walk out with TWO puppies that are going to weigh over 40 pounds a piece. WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I knew that I wanted these dogs not to beg or have scraps from the table. It used to drive me "nuts" to hear Sandy beg when I was eating. Training was going to happen.

Having no clue what I was doing, I crate trained my babies, Maple and Walnut. The dogs in the crate are my girls (picture to the right ).

Maple and Walnut have been using the crate as a "safety place" since they were 8 weeks old. They love it! I tell them to go "nap nap" and they go right into the crate. I have no worries. I can be gone several hours, if necessary and they will be content in their crate.

Crate training is not a punishment. It is a gift. You just have to make it through the whining, which dogs do...because they want out. But once they realize it isn't a bad place, it will be the BEST investment you will have made for your dogs.

Afraid that your dog behavior questions about crate training will be difficult? Well, don't be! I am going to walk you through them...step by step.

1. Put the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Make sure you put a soft blanket or towel in the crate.

2. Bring your dog near the crate and talk to him in a happy tone of voice. Make sure the door to the crate is wide open. Encourage your dog to enter the crate with food treats near it and just inside the crate (near the door) and finally all the way inside the crate. This is where you may start to have some dog behavior questions. It's okay. Don't force your dog inside the crate. If he doesn't want to go...it's fine. Continue to toss treats inside the crate until the dog walks calmly all the way in to the crate to get the food. If food doesn't work, try using a favorite toy. Use your body to block the entrance, after your dog goes in the crate.

3. Repeat the previous step, instead of blocking the door with your body, close the door to the crate.

In steps 2 & 3, I mention tossing dog treats into the crate as a way to get your dog to go into the crate.

Do you have dog behavior questions on baking dog treats? Lots of owners do. How many is too many? What kind is good for my dog? Natural or store bought? Should I make my own?

Well, if you are into baking, why not give baking dog treats a shot? The ingredients will be all natural and you will know what is going into your pet.

4. Prepare a yummy chew toy (by filling it with peanut butter or cream cheese), walk your dog into the crate. Once he is in the crate, give him the chew toy and close the door. Once your dog is engrossed in chewing, get up and walk around, occasionally going out of sight. Release your dog from the crate before he finishes chewing (or before he wakes if he's been dozing off) and only if he is calm.

5. Praise your dog while he is in the crate, but do not praise him as he is coming out of his crate. This teaches him that being in the crate is good and pleasant, while coming out is neutral. Additionally, do not make a big fuss while putting him in or taking him out, so he will see it as no big deal.

Part of solving crate training dog behavior questions is trial and error. However, the more your dog gets use to the crate, more benefit you both will have.

If you have dog behavior questions, here is a FREE 6 day course that I recommend!