Dog Crate Training Basics

The basics of dog crate training is intended to create a special place for your dog, a safe, convenient space for your dog that is only theirs, while at the same time establishing boundaries. A dog crate can be a "home within a home" to your dog, a den of sorts that provides them with their own special home inside your household. It is a safe place where they can retreat to if they want to feel secure or left alone.

Crating your dog, or any animal for that matter, serves a few purposes. First, using crates for animals is an effective method to transport the animal and many times is required by society. For example, choosing to take your dog on a plane will require that you crate them and is in the best interest of the animal. At home, the crate can be used as a kennel when necessary and many veterinarians prefer to have animals crated when visiting their offices. A crate is also convenient means of controlling your dogs behavior when you can't be around. If you are trying to break your dog from digging holes or chasing cats, using a crate as a kennel is helping in preventing these types of behaviors.

Putting your dog in a crate is not some form of cruelty as some people think, just the opposite in fact. Using a crate is only cruel if you do it in an abusive manner such as leaving your dog in there for more than a few hours. Crate training your dog properly has advantages for you and your pet, and is a smart move to incorporate into your dog training plans.

Some dogs will take to a crate right away, while other dogs will be leery of this odd cage you want them to get inside of. When beginning your crate training it is important not to force your dog into the crate. Instead, you must make your dog want to enter it of his own volition. This may take some time, but if done properly, you will find that your dog actually loves having "their" crate, you eliminate any anxiety the dog may have initially felt, and he uses it frequently to sleep and "get away".

The first step in dog crate training is to introduce your dog to the crate. Establish a location that you want the crate to reside and set it up in this location. You should start off with the crate in the spot you want to keep it in, somewhere away from the traffic areas of the home but in a room that the family spends time in. You don't want the dog to feel isolated and lonely in a crate, or to create any unnecessary anxiety for them, and should eliminate placing the box in a remote corner of the house!

Put any bedding you have in the crate, and anything else that will make it comfortable for your dog. Maybe take one of his favorite toys and place it by the crate, also move his food and water bowls next to the crate if possible. You just want the dog to become familiar and comfortable with this new object, and show them that it does not create any danger for them.

The next step of dog crate training is to get the dog into the crate by himself. 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. You will find that he pokes his head in and then backs out immediately. That is OK, just be sure to provide positive reinforcement by praising them so he feels good about the whole thing. Repeat this exercise several times per day, gradually putting the toy or treat in further and further.

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". Always keep the door open wide at this point.

The final step in dog crate training is getting the dog to stay in the crate. Simply repeat the steps outlined above and they will develop a liking for the crate. When they seem 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. Go through this process over and over until he is not purposely opening the door just because you closed it. They will eventually ignore whether the door is open or closed.

It is obviously easier to crate train a dog when they are just a puppy, but by following the steps in this article, you can ease you dog into accepting the crate, and it will not matter whether you got them as puppies or as an older dog, you will ensure they come to accept the crate as their home.

Your dog will eventually love his crate and will probably retreat there if he is feeling insecure, or simply wants to sleep. If you have guests over to the house that do not like dogs or that you don't want your dog around for some other reason a crate is a wonderful alternative for everyone. Your dogs crate will become a "home within a home" and provide them with their own special place that is all theirs if you follow these dog crate training basics.