How to Dog Crate Train

Who doesn’t want a well-behaved dog? That is because no one wants their dog to be a rough sport that likes to rip up stuff or do its toilet business within the house. That is why we opt for the best in training for our dogs so that they may control these primal urges and become better-behaved.

A crate can prove to be very effective when it comes to controlling your dog. You can also use such crates to easily transfer your dog over long distances. However, while many of you might not frown at this concept, some consider a crate to be a bad thing.

If you are worried about a crate being akin to imprisonment or inhumane treatment of a dog, then you need to know some things. The first thing that you need to know is that a crate isn’t a prison for your dog. It is a rather excellent means of inculcating responsibility within your pup. It also mitigates anxiety in dogs as well. That is because dogs are den animals by nature and prefer closed smaller places. It affords a sense of security to them. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to create positive associations between your dog and its crate through meaningful and fun games as well as treats. You should also remain patient in this endeavor as crate training can take up to 6 months at least.

So, if you are interested in teaching your dog how to use a crate then we have you covered. You will be able to complete your dog’s crate training properly if you adhere to the following steps.

Go on and have a read and inform yourself at a better level:

Choosing the Right Crate

You want a crate for your dog, that there is the easy part, the part about resolving to do so. But, the task that you should give the maximum priority at first is about the type of crate that you should choose. You should get a crate that is right for your dog. By that, we mean that the crate you end up choosing must evince all the qualities and features that make it appropriate for your dog. For one, get the rights sized crate. You shouldn’t get a crate that doesn’t support your dog’s weight and size (Chihuahua-sized crates can’t hold German Shepherds). Also, make sure that the crate you opt for contains a blend of durability, comfort, flexibility in travel, and ventilation.

Getting in the proper Mindset

Get your dog to ease into the whole crate experience. In the beginning, it might like it for a while but will start to get antsy and desire to come out after said time has elapsed. If you want to get your dog to get used to the crate for longer periods then you need to get it into the proper mindset. Start by leaving your dog in the crate for 10 minutes at the start of the training. Gradually increase the time and soon your dog will hit the time mark that you want it to. Just don’t be hasty as it can irrevocably set the dog against the crate.

Your Dog’s Comfort

You should be mindful of your dog’s comfort within the crate. You can use towels or a small mattress to improve your dog’s comfort. But, it is perfectly fine if the dog sleeps on the crate’s mat as the latter is pretty comfortable as well. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your dog soiling the towel/mattress or peeing on it either.

Rewarding your Dog with a Treat

The best way to reinforce your dog’s crate training is by rewarding it with a treat after every time it goes into the crate. You should also feed this treat to your dog before it goes into the crate. That is because this will stimulate its appetite and get it to remain for longer periods in the crate and that is what you want right?

Remember to Check the Time

You really should check the time because your dog needs to come out of the crate eventually. It needs to play, eat its meals, and go to the bathroom after all. The odds of your dog peeing or soiling the crate’s surface will increase if you let it remain in there for too long.

Playing Games

You should use fun games to improve the dog’s perception when it comes to the crate. It shouldn’t view the crate in a negative light. We recommend that you use a ball and throw it into the crate. Then the dog will go and fetch it from the inside. Do this for several minutes daily and this will greatly improve the dog’s perspective when it comes to crates.

Remove the Collar

The dog’s collars and other such accessories need to be removed before it enters the crate. This will imbue within the dog a feeling of homeliness that it will associate with the crate itself.

Remain Patient

As we mentioned before, crate training can be pretty hard and will require quite a bit of time. You should remember to be patient always in these times. Your dog will get the hang of it, in time. Some dogs manage to do this sooner than others and vice versa. Just be supportive and encouraging for your dog and never resort to anger or intimidation in this regard.

Fine Tuning

When your dog gets the hang of the crate and starts entering and leaving it as per your requirement, then you should go for the fine-tuning. Use treats more frequently and gets your dog trained in entering the crate simply through your gestures or from ocular prompts. It might seem improbable but it is entirely possible to do so.

So, there you have it, the complete scoop on how to get your dog trained in using a crate. We hope that you will be able to achieve the results that your desire through this guide.