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Dog Training Ultimate Guide
Dog behaviorial school – when everything else fails.
May 15th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
This is the same answer I gave a previous questioner about crate training:
We humans see being crated as cruel and punishment. To a dog or puppy not only is it heaven but it keeps them out of trouble.
Puppies and dogs are den animals. They need their own space. As my dogs got older I ended up disassembling their crate thinking I wouldn’t need it, they are potty trained, they no longer chew things up etc. Then I started noticing that all 3 of my dogs find the smallest spaces in the house – under tables, under chairs, closets, under the bed, etc to curl up and go to sleep. When I give them treats these are the first places they run to, to devour their snack.
Dogs feel safe and secure in these “dens”. It’s a great idea to have a crate and not at all cruel for her to be in it most of the day. I don’t know how old the puppy is but till the age of 4+ months they don’t do very much except sleep.
You also run the risk of the puppy ingesting something that may harm her. Just like kids they test out the world w/ their mouth – trash, shoes, carpet, plastic, etc. Keeping your puppy in a crate takes those dangers away while you’re not able to supervise and take those naughty things out of her mouth.
The rule for crating is – the puppy should have just enough room to stand up, circle and lay down in. So if your b/f brought home a huge crate the puppy has more than enough room.
Here is a website for more information, training techniques etc.
http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining….
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pe...
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/crate-train...
Good Luck and Congrats
May 15th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Crating is great. He will cry for a little while, it depends on the dog how long. Mine whined the 1st 2 days but then he was fine. Make sure he has a couple toys, a blanket, maybe a treat when he goes into his crate. Just make sure you take him out every couple of hrs, even at night, to go to the bathroom. It shouldn’t take you very long (2-3 weeks) to have him potty trained
) Congrats on the new puppy.
May 15th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Introduction
Crate training is very important for dogs. A crate can literally save your puppies life. To much freedom when your pup is young and they can get into trouble. I have seen puppies that have chewed on electrical cords, chicken bones and old sponges.
It is much better to confine your puppy to a crate when they are unattended than to give them free range over your entire house. Also there is a good chance that sometime in your dog’s life they will be required to travel, spend the night at the vet’ s office or some time at the groomer. All of these situations require your pup to go into a crate.
It is much better to crate train your pup in a positive way in your own home.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
How to Crate Train A Puppy
Things You’ll Need
Crate
Treats
Kong toy
Helper
Food bowl
Peanut butter
Steps
1Step OneThe big thing to understand about crate training is that you do not want to force your pup or dog into the crate. You want your dog to willingly go in the crate on command.
With a friend holding your pup’s collar you are going to take the Kong toy and start stuffing it right in front your dog’s nose.
A Kong toy is a hollow toy that you can stuff over and over again. You can use any hollow toy but I am a big fan of the Kong toy because of it’s durability.
2Step Two Click to enlargeFood is one of the best ways to motivate your puppy
You are going to stuff the Kong toy right in front of your dog’s nose with a little peanut butter and some treats. You want to do it close enough to your dog’s nose so that your pup can see what you are doing. Remember, your friend is holding your pup’s collar so that your dog is close but can’t get to the toy.
3Step ThreeOnce the Kong toy is stuffed, with your pup watching you, throw the toy into the crate and shut the crate door. Your friend who is still holding on to your pup should let go of the collar right as you say “In the crate”.
4Step FourThe stuffed Kong toy is now inside the crate and the door is between your pup and the toy. Your pup will now start to paw at the door trying to figure out how to get at the Kong toy. You want to hold the crate door shut for a few minutes while your pup is trying to get in.
5Step FiveYou are now building desire in your pup to go inside the crate. This is a crucial step to the whole crate training process. Instead of shoving your pup into the crate, we want to reverse the process and develop a desire in your pup to go inside the crate.
6Step SixAfter a few seconds take your hand off the crate door and let your pup go inside the crate to get the toy.
7Step SevenDon’t shut the door once your pup goes into the crate. Let your pup go in and take the Kong toy out if he wants to.
8Step Eight Click to enlargeFeeding your dog breakfast and dinner inside the crate is a great way to get your pup to enjoy going into the crate
You can also start to feed breakfast and dinner in the crate. When it is meal time put your pup’s food bowl in the back of the crate. Let your pup go into the crate and eat. Don’t shut the door while your pup is in there. Once your pup is finished eating she should be able to walk out of the crate.
9Step NineNow start to repeat the process. Stuff the Kong toy in front of your pup while a friend holds your pup’s collar. Throw the Kong toy in the crate. Say to your pup: “In the crate”. Your friend let’s go the collar and you hold the crate door closed for a few seconds. Let your pup paw at the door and then allow your pup to go in and get the Kong.
10Step TenBy doing this exercise and feeding your pup in the crate your pup will start to enjoy going into the crate and she will do it on command. This is one of the best methods for teaching crate training.
Tips & Warnings
Take your time to crate train your puppy
Use lots of positive reinforcement and praise
Feed meals in the crate
Don’t slam the crate door shut when your pup goes into it
Don’t use force to get your pup into the crate
Don’t use the crate as punishment
May 15th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I used the crate for my puppy. Now at 10 months we dont even have to use the crate. The crate is great for potty training, when you cant keep your eyes on him, when he takes a nap, and at night time. This is what i did after each activity (eatting, sleeping playing) i would let him out. He will cry for about a week or 2.. Ok at night i would put him in there with a shirt that i worn,and laydown by his crate and rub his head till he goes to sleep. He will wake up during the night and cry TAKE him OUT. This teaches him to tell you when he has to go. When my puppy was young he was in his crate alot. I even fed him in there a few times. He goes in and out as he pleases now. Wish you the best of luck! hope this helped.