The dog that is successfully crate trained is a happy dog. However, if you are planning on crate training your dog in an apartment, you may not have much success because crates can be difficult for both the dog and the owner. However, this does not mean that you cannot crate train your dog; it just means that it will take some time and patience on your part. If you are a beginner at dog training then you may want to start by reading through the following dog training tips. This should give you a good idea of how to crate train in an apartment. When reading these dog training tips, keep in mind that each dog has a personality of its own.
The most important thing when learning how to crate train in an apartment is to establish which corner the dog should sleep in. You want the dog to have a comfortable place to sleep, away from your home. It is also a good idea to have a water and food bowl in the corner. Do not use treats or praise to encourage the dog to sleep there, as this could result in confusion and insecurity. Once the dog has a spot where it likes to sleep and no longer has to worry about being bored or lonely, then you can begin the training.
During the crate training process, it is best to use one room in the apartment that the dog will be allowed to roam freely. The dog should be kept safe, yet still able to see you, the master. When the dog is able to see both of you during the day, then the two of you can begin to discuss what you are doing and why the dog needs to do what it does. This will allow the dog to develop a sense of responsibility and obedience.
In addition to teaching the dog how to behave properly in a crate, you need to show it when it has done something right. This can be accomplished by using dog training tricks such as “it is my turn” or “come”. Before you begin to crate train in an apartment, make sure that the dog is comfortable in a crate and that the room is not too small for the dog. You can teach the dog these tricks before you begin the dog training tricks, if desired. Just be sure that they understand that using the crate for transportation is only allowed on designated days.
One of the most important tips when learning how to crate train in an apartment is to be consistent. Never let the dog go outside unsupervised, as this can result in a chase or other type of accident that you may be unable to fix. Dogs love to find new things to play with, so if you cannot keep the dog inside its crate when it is not supposed to be, it can get very frustrated and possibly hurt itself. A dog cannot help its own bad habits, so it’s up to us to stop them. The dog does not always have the option of getting outside, so it needs to learn the behavior patterns before you attempt to crate train the dog.
Another important tip in how to crate train in an apartment is to use positive reinforcement. Instead of punishing the dog for bad behavior, reward the dog every time it follows your commands. You can do this by giving the dog a treat once it obeys your command. It is important that you praise the dog, not punish it, when learning how to crate train in an apartment. Pushing the dog to do something that it is not ready for, or giving it a shock if it tries to do something that it is not supposed to is only reinforcing the bad behavior.
Some dog training tricks to try including teaching the dog to “freeze” when it gets to the door of the crate. When the dog is inside the crate, but about to be fired of its job, it needs to learn that it has the option of simply standing on its hind legs until it finishes its task. This is very useful when there is a dog inside a tight space. You could also try to teach your dog to “hold” its bladder. The dog has to hold its bladder until you give the OK signal, which usually means saying “ow!”
If you have more than one dog, you should definitely consider crate training them. This is one of the best ways to house train dogs and avoid housebreaking them all together. This process will help you to keep your apartment looking neat and spic-and-span instead of messy and stinking. Remember, however, to start crate training in an apartment at the same time you begin your dog’s obedience training. If you start crate training a dog and it starts doing something you don’t want it to do, you will be in for a big shock when it gets flea-ridden and suffers from skin and carpet allergies. So, make sure that you start training your dog early and that you are persistent in your efforts.