Crate Training Your Dog

Many people that have not used a crate to train a dog have concerns about doing so. Some believe that cages, kennels and crates are today's answer to quick convenient punishment. This is not true, if used properly, many dogs find comfort in their own place and some find quite strange places to call their own like the washing basket, the tumble drier, the bottom drawer. To a dog a crate is their own private space in your home just like your bedroom is to you. When crate training it's very important not to use the crate as a punishment, if you do your dog will start to resent going in the crate. Adult dogs should not be in a crate for no more than 4 hours at time and for puppies no more than 2 hours due to the fact that they will need to stretch and need to to go our and potty. Adult dogs will start to feel uncomfortable after four hours and then they begin to get anxious. Sometimes the crate isn't the the answer that some think it is. Some people aren't using crates properly and therefore end up with more problems then they had started with. You first need to identify the problem that you are using dog crate training for, it is for housebreaking? Chewing? Making a mess? Once you have identified the problem you then need to utilize the cage to your advantage. All dogs should feel at home when they enter their cage. Food and water should always be available to them and comfortable bedding. For chewing problems chew toys should be available in the crate and no where else and if he is caught chewing show him his chew toy instead don't shout at him. Housebreaking is a little bit harder. Most dogs will not do their business where they sleep. So once you notice your dog start to get uncomfortable in his crate take him out and let him do his business, once he has praise him and continue to repeat. Crate training your dog does need a lot of attention in the beginning but once your dog is acclimated to the crate it will become easier to use. When you start with crate training leave the crate open and put a treat in the crate, allow the dog to get the treat. Repeat this a few times then work up to closing the door behind your dog or puppy but do not latch it. Continue to do this for a few days. You do not want you dog or puppy to be stressed out the first time he is in the crate. After a few days of the door not being latched try latching it. Keep the door latched for a few seconds then slowly build up the time. At any point your dog or puppy cry or try to get out you should let them out. Not doing so will just upset you puppy or dog more. You can introduce toys at this point to help distract you dog or puppy. One of my favorite and #1 with my dogs is a Kong filled with a treat. To make the Kong last longer pack it with a soft treat and freeze it to make for a much more lasting treat. This is also good for puppies when they are teething. You may think caging up a dog is cruel but in truth it's not, what happened to us when we were small? We were left in our cot or playpen to play, that is what you are doing to your dog, nothing cruel or inhumane just practical. Crates are a little bit expensive to buy so make sure that you want to follow Crate training methods to the end before purchasing one. Another option for finding a dog crate would be your local Freecycle list which can be found at http://www.freecycle.org.