Proper crate training and a well-structured crate schedule are fundamental. However, while many of us believe that the main key to properly crate training is in crate training your dog from day one, it’s really more beneficial from day one to housebreak the dog. After all, most dog owners begin their dog crate-training experience by leaving them in their crate for long periods of time when they’re not home. This creates a sense of comfort and security for both the dog owner. A dog that’s been let loose in the house often feels anxious and scared, and crate-trained dogs tend to be less stressed out in their new homes.
Proper crate training also means that you can use visual aids to help reinforce the concept of your home. For example, if you want your puppy to “do his business” during the evening, you can put him in his crate during the day and leave him alone for the rest of the evening. Using visual aids during training can help you to transition into crate training your dog quickly and smoothly. If your puppy wakes up during the night due to separation anxiety, he will have the sense that he must go back to his crate. By being able to visually supervise him during the entire night, you can quickly transition into crate training your dog with positive reinforcement.
Of course, it’s also important to use the right kennel for your dog when you’re going through the proper crate training process. A kennel should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, turn his head, lie down, and stretch out. It should be small enough for your dog to turn around and lie down comfortably in, but large enough for him to see everything going on around him. Obviously, crates wouldn’t be the proper kennel for a large dog, but smaller breeds can work well too.
When you are getting ready to properly crate train your dog, you should remember that puppies can become anxious and nervous about anything they encounter. They may become anxious if they feel they’re being separated from their owners or puppies. Therefore, your new puppy needs to be reassured constantly throughout the day and nighttime that he’s safe with you and always welcome when you leave the house. You can do this through enticing him with a treat every time you bring him inside the house, playing a game of fetch so he feels secure and loved, and by leaving him with you while you go out for a walk or run.
In the early stages of puppy life, dogs crave close contact with their owners, and they become highly defensive when that contact is disrupted. The key to proper crate training for your dog is to never allow him to be alone for any length of time without you taking him out. This basically means that he should always be with you, even when you’re just going to the store or going for a long walk. If he feels that you’re away, he will naturally try to create some sort of situation where he can get your attention and be near you. This is why it’s best to use toys and a favorite dog toy whenever you’re leaving him at home – because dogs associate these types of toys with love and comfort.
However, you also want to take into consideration the fact that puppies can become anxious during long periods of time if they sense that they might be left alone. For that reason, it’s a good idea to keep the crate time limited to about three to four hours at a time. That way, he doesn’t get too excited when the door to his crate is open and he thinks that you’re not going to come back right away. You want to make sure that your dog is completely satisfied before you bring him home with you, so be sure to take him to his crate time on the first day that you leave him in your home.
When you do bring your new pup home, you want to establish some ground rules right from the start. One of the most common problems that pet owners experience with their dog is separation anxiety. If your dog begins to whine and cry whenever you go out of sight for a bit, this is a sign of separation anxiety. As the dog ages, this can lead to excessive barking and whining, which can be a real nuisance. For that reason, you should establish a routine – either give your dog his dinner or playtime at the same time every day, or place him in his crate for 15 minutes or so while you’re preparing dinner or doing other chores around the house.
To further help your dog with the crate technique, he needs to be rewarded with something good to eat or play with immediately after he stays in his crate for the requisite amount of time. Once you get started, you’ll find that training your pooch using these crates will be very easy to accomplish. Even if your dog becomes bored or tries to escape from the crate, you’ll never have any problems with that because he will eventually learn that staying put and being alone in a small area will bring him positive rewards such as treats and attention. So for the next time you see your pup looking all over the place, remember to quickly grab his food bowl or other treat and take him right back into his own crate. Your dog will love you for it.
