Dog Crate Training
While the use of crates as training tools might seem unkind or even cruel by human standards, it is important to consider them for a dog’s perspective. Dogs instinctively seek small, snug places - or dens - as secure havens against attack or intrusion. Comfortable and safe, dens are dogs’ natural homes where they can rest and relax. Given dogs’ social natures, it is helpful to place the crate in a location near people. As your dog’s personal domain, the crate should never be shared with other dogs or pets.
When introduced properly, a crate will become the domesticates version of a dog’s den. Seen as a resting place, not a prison, a crate represents a physically and psychologically soothing environment to your dog. Used wisely, crates can effectively help to thwart or prevent problem behaviors. They can also contribute significantly to successful house training since dogs virtually never relieve themselves in the place they sleep. The main purpose behind using a crate is to ensure that your dog does not misbehave while unsupervised, if you use a crate as a training tool. To help your dog become comfortable with its crate, permit free exploration. You can encourage this by leaving a piece of food, or a treat,an all its tour on the floor of the crate. Never physically force your dog inside its crate.
Once your dog is accustomed to the crate, leave it inside with the door closed for several minutes. Slowly increase the amount of time with each session. Puppies eventually can remain in their crates for up to three to four hours, while adult dogs can be left for up to eight hours. Since a crate is a resting place, do not hesitate to keep your dog in its crate overnight, especially if it is near your bed.
Be sure to let your dog out of its crate to relieve itself. While dogs generally do not relieve themselves in their sleeping quarters, it may become necessary to do so it no other option is available. If that should happen, do not punish your dog or leave it in the soiled crate.
Even if your dog has not used its crate as a bathroom, dust it regularly. After all, it is your dog’s bedroom. A firm pad that covers the bottom of the crate may make it more comfortable. Unlike your own bedroom, however, your dog’s crate does not require pillow or blankets. These and other amenities will probably be used by your dog for chewing rather than sleeping purposes.
Avoid leaving your dog in its crate too long. Healthy doses of exercise, play and your personal attention are just as important as learning good manners.
Despite positive results with crate training, do not test your dog by letting it out the crate unsupervised for extended periods. Begin slowly so that you can avoid correcting your dog excessively, thereby maintaining a consistent approach to training.
Most dogs can be weaned off their crates after about a year of constant training. It is important that dogs never become unaccustomed to them, however, since crates are essential for safe air travel and other infrequent, but necessary, situations. Beyond their use in training, crates can help protect dogs from the potentially harmful consequences of their own behavior. such as receiving electrical shock from chewing wires or being poisoned by ingesting chemical substances.
In addition to being well behaved, crate-trained dogs are usually easier to handle. This will make a dog owner’s life easier when traveling, visiting the veterinarian or leaving the dog with other people.