Becoming Puppy Crate Training Savvy
Some pups are just plain naturals . . . from the moment you set the dog crate down on the floor and open the door, you may be surprised as you watch your pup toddle right in to check it out. [And if there's a comfy blanket with some interesting toys inside the crate, your pup may stay a while all on its own.]
On the other hand, some puppies will need a bit more coaching. Here's where your patience will be key. In either case, proper crate training will not just happen overnight. The best crate training is a steady, positive experience. It may take a few days or even a few weeks before your puppy feels completely comfortable in her new "crate space."
But don't worry, once you know what to do, you will become a "natural" at patiently crate training the new love of your life.
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If you haven't already done so, please see "Is Puppy Crate Training . . . Great Training?"
Table of Contents
What You'll Find Here . . .
- What Is Crate Training?
- A Quick & Simple 5-Step Puppy Crate Training Plan
- >>> Step 1: Introduce Your Puppy to the Crate
- >>> Step 2: Coach Your Puppy Inside The Crate (Again) With Treats & Food
- >>> Step 3: Feeding Your Pup Inside The Crate
- >>> Step 4: Gradually Increase The Amount of Time Inside The Crate
- >>> Step 5: Crating Your Puppy For Short Periods
- Video Tips: Crate Training In A Plastic Dog Crate
- Video Tips: Training In A Wire Dog Crate
- During the Day...
- What's The Big Deal About Pupppy Crate Training?
- Dog Care & Dog Training Links
- And Don't Forget . . .
What Is Crate Training?
Crate training is the process of teaching a dog to accept a dog crate as a familiar and safe location. Advocates claim that dogs are den-dwelling animals and that a crate can become a den substitute. They also believe that crate-training benefits both the dog and owner.
Category: Image - :DogCarCrate wb.jpg|thumb|A dog in a wi...
A Quick & Simple 5-Step Puppy Crate Training Plan
How To Crate Train Your Puppy
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The following crate training steps can be done over several days or a couple of weeks. How long it really takes for each step is fully dependent on how well your puppy takes to crate training. The point is to repeat each of the following steps until your puppy "gets it." You can move onto the next step once your pooch is confident with the previous step.
Here are the fundamentals . . .
>>> Step 1: Introduce Your Puppy to the Crate
- Introduce your puppy to his new crate by opening the door so it won't close on the dog accidentally. Be prepared to spend some uninterrupted time with your puppy and sit down next to the crate for a few minutes.
Put some toys and a blanket inside the crate. Your puppy should toddle over to it. When it does, pick up a toy from the inside, show it to your puppy and gently toss the toy inside the crate so that it hits the back wall and makes a noise.
Chances are, your puppy will be curious about the toy and where the noise came from, and may walk over the threshold to check it out. If your puppy goes inside on its own, reward it by tossing in a little treat so it hits the back wall of the crate, too. Repeat the process a few times.
If your puppy doesn't go into the crate, toss some treats near the crate's door and encourage your puppy to eat the treats. As your puppy gets closer and no longer seems afraid of the crate, throw a few treats inside and tell it to go get the cookie. Make a big fuss by verbally praising your pup.
OK, I'm In Here . . . Now What?
>>> Step 2: Coach Your Puppy Inside The Crate (Again) With Treats & Food
- Take your puppy to the crate and toss some treats inside. When your puppy goes in the crate, verbally praise it again. Repeat this process several times.
This is also a good time to put your puppy's food bowl inside and feed it a meal inside the crate, but leave the door open. Your puppy will begin to associate the crate with yummy experiences, which is a good thing. After a few meals, your puppy will run inside and wait for you to put the food bowl down.
>>> Step 3: Feeding Your Pup Inside The Crate
- When your puppy is comfortable with dining a la crate, try closing the door while it's eating. When it's done, open the door after a few minutes. Repeat at the next meal, but increase the amount of time the door is closed each time.
>>> Step 4: Gradually Increase The Amount of Time Inside The Crate
- While feeding your puppy inside the carrier with the door closed, go to another room for a just a few minutes so you're out of sight of your puppy.
When you return, let your puppy out. Repeat and gradually increase the time you're away.
>>> Step 5: Crating Your Puppy For Short Periods
- In addition to feeding your puppy all of its meals inside the crate, try putting him inside after playtime and right before naps. Use a verbal command, such as "go get a cookie," and toss some treats inside, making sure they hit the back wall noisily.
When he goes inside after them, close the door for a few minutes. If your puppy settles down for a nap, walk away to another room. Repeat.
"A Dog Crate
is NEVER, ever, ever
to be used as punishment!"
Video Tips: Crate Training In A Plastic Dog Crate
You'll Gain siome Valuable Insights
Video Tips: Training In A Wire Dog Crate
Another View On Puppy Crate Training
How to Train Puppies : How to Crate Train Your Puppy
Crate train your new puppy in this free video. Expert: Melanie McLeroy Contact: www.taurusdogtraining.com Bio: Melanie McLeroy co-owns the award winning Taurus Training dog training facility in Austin, Texas. She is also certified in animal CPR and first aid. Filmmaker: EV studios
Runtime: 189
119316 views
180 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
During the Day...
Your puppy should be fine inside the crate for up to three hours. If you need to leave a young pup alone for an entire day and an outdoor area isn't available, try taking the door off the crate and putting your pup and the crate inside an exercise pen or a gated "safe" room.
This way he can go in and out of the crate and still have the freedom to move around.
What's The Big Deal About Pupppy Crate Training?
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Crate Training Dogs: Top Tips That Are Spot On!
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If you're looking for information on "crate training dogs" you've come to the right place. Here, you'll find the top tips, how-tos, even videos on crate training dogs, specific tips on puppy crate training, how to buy the right dog crates and more....
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Is Puppy Crate Training . . . Great Training?
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When it comes to puppy crate training, some folks believe that putting your puppy into the small, confined space is cruel . . . but in actuality, crate training puppies is a pretty darn loving thing to do. Pups have boundless energy and are naturall...
Dog Care & Dog Training Links
- The Dog Care Digest
- Provides top tips from dog owners and experts for taking care of your top dog
- Canis Major
- An online Dog Owner's Guide with Dog Crate Q & A's
And Don't Forget . . .
Please Consider Supporting the ASPCA!
Let Me Know You Stopped By . . .
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Reply
- Ramkitten Ramkitten May 11, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
- When our dog, Sassy, was a little girl, all we had to say was, "In your house," and into her crate she'd go. Eventually, we stopped using it at night (because she slept with us) and after she was about a year old, we stopped using it when we weren't home. It depends on the dog, though. I've known some pooches who really needed to be crated--both for their own safety and their owners' piece of mind--pretty much their entire lives when the owners weren't home. Great tips here.
by nDee
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