Dog Crate Training and Housebreaking Tips For House Training – The use of a dog crate or crate is often a subject of debate. However, with good training and correct use of the crate, it can become a real home for your dog and make his life easier as well as yours. So, here let’s know about crate training and house training tips.
Here’s a summary of the key takeaways along with some additional factors to consider:
Key Takeaways
- A Den, Not a Prison: With positive training, a crate becomes a safe haven for your dog, offering comfort and security.
- Crates for Safety: Crates protect young dogs from household hazards while you’re away and reduce destructive tendencies.
- Housebreaking Aid: When used correctly, crates make potty training easier by tapping into a dog’s instinct to keep their den clean.
- Gradual Is Key: Patience and positive association are essential. Don’t rush the crate introduction process, and never use the crate as punishment.
- Size Matters: The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not so big they can use a corner as a bathroom.
Additional Considerations
- Age Matters: Young puppies shouldn’t be left crated for extended periods (more than an hour or two) as they need frequent potty breaks.
- Exercise is Essential: Crate time needs to be balanced with ample exercise and playtime for physical and mental well-being.
- Every Dog is Different: Some dogs take to crate training immediately, while others require more time and consistency.
- Crate Training Isn’t for Everyone: While a valuable tool, not every dog or owner finds crate training the right fit. Don’t force it if it creates excessive stress for the dog.
Remember: Crate training and housebreaking are journeys. Celebrate small victories, remain patient, and you’ll see success with your dog!
What Is A Dog Crate?
Every dog has a “den instinct”. You’ve probably noticed that dogs usually like to nest in protected house under the bed, under the table, and in corners in places where there is a roof and walls. A dog’s crate will become his den, his little apartment if he is properly trained to use it.
If you have children, a crate is a salvation for a dog, where no one will disturb its peace. If you need to transport your dog, the crate will again help you with this.
When Should A Dog Be Kept In A Crate?
Being in a cage for an animal is rarely associated with anything positive. But this is the owner’s point of view, and dogs can think very differently.
In nature, representatives of the genus Canis, to which domestic dogs belong, make their den in a closed, protected space, for example, in a hole or hole.
For a pet, an analog of such a shelter can be a cage. If you properly crate train your four-legged friend, he will love her, perceive her as his “home” and feel comfortable in her both physically and psychologically.
For the dog’s safety as well as the security of the flat or house, you must typically keep a dog in a crate when the owners are away. A puppy or even an adult animal may chew on wires, consume something completely poisonous, or just generally destroy anything like furniture. Other reasons include:
- You want to speed up your dog’s toilet training or he can’t tolerate it yet due to his age.
- There are small children, elderly people, or other family members living in the house who need to be protected from excessive contact with the animal.
- You often transport your pet in a car.
Remember, the cage should never be used as an alternative to education and training. You should also not lock a puppy or adult dog in it as punishment.
Which Crate To Choose For Your Puppy?
Always use a crate appropriate for your puppy’s breed. Your puppy should be able to lie down, stand up, and turn around easily even once he becomes an adult.
The cage should not be too big. Often, crates for large breed dogs are too large at first when the puppy is still small, but there are ways to reduce the space without having to buy another crate.
Tips For Dog Housebreaking And Crate Training:
It is important to find the ideal place to place your dog’s crate. Place it in a quiet place in the living room where your dog will have a view of the entire room.
Do not put the cage in a hallway or front of the TV. Also, avoid open windows or radiators to prevent drafts and temperature changes.
Introduce The Cage To Your Puppy:
Make the crate comfortable with a soft fabric or cushion. Make sure your dog doesn’t slip and let him explore the crate by placing treats and toys inside. The first impression should always be positive! At this stage, the cage must remain open. Never force your puppy to go in his crate!
Training Your Puppy With A Crate:
Once your puppy enters his crate on his own, training can begin. Feed your puppy in the crate and place the bowl well at the bottom so that your puppy has to enter his crate completely.
If he is afraid, put the bowl near the door and place it a little further towards the back at each meal. If this goes well, you can start closing the door occasionally when he eats.
However, you will have to open the door as soon as he has finished eating. Then try closing the door for several minutes. Avoid opening the door when your puppy cries because he will learn that by crying he will get what he wants!
Teaching Your Puppy Commands:
Is your dog now able to eat in his crate with the door closed even after he has finished eating? You can now teach your dog a command.
The command indicates when your dog should return to his crate, such as “crate” or “rest.” Once again, the cage is not there to punish the dog. It must remain pleasant. If your dog goes into his crate by himself, close it.
Wait a few moments and if your dog doesn’t say anything, you can open the crate and reward him with a treat. Continue until the dog understands the command. Try closing the cage for a little longer without leaving the area.
Leave The Room And The Places:
It is worth moving on to the next – final – step when the pet can sit in a closed cage alone in a room for half an hour. Now try leaving him alone in the apartment. The best way to monitor the behavior and well-being of an animal is through a camera – this way you will see its reaction.
Training your dog to stay in a crate while you’re not home
As in the previous stages, you should start with a very short time – that is, lock the dog in a cage, get dressed, leave the apartment for literally a few seconds, and immediately return.
If the animal tolerates your leaving calmly, continue the exercise and next time go out for 3-5 minutes. Next, increase your absence time in waves. For example, at first you can use the following schedule: 5 minutes, 15, 20, 10, 25, 15, 40, 20, 5, 30, 20, 50, 35, 60, 15, etc.
In this way, you will prepare the dog for a longer absence – for the time you require.
Useful Crating Tips:
Let us recall the important rules for keeping a dog in a crate.
- To make your stay comfortable, provide your pet with toys and treats, and don’t forget to leave a bowl of water.
- Under no circumstances should you force your dog into a crate!
- The animal should not be locked for more than 10 hours at a time.
- When you return home, your dog will most likely be very happy and excited by your arrival. Before letting her out of the cage, give her time to calm down: undress, wash your hands, put away the purchased food, etc. Only after that, “pay attention” to the pet and approach him.
- If your dog spends a lot of time in a crate, walks become especially important. Give your pet proper mental and physical exercise.
- Add coziness by covering the cage with a thin blanket
- To speed up the habituation of the cage and make staying in it more comfortable, you can cover it with a thin blanket. This solution has several advantages:
- Darkening will make the cage more “cozy” for the animal, as it will be perceived as a safer place;
- Wool, dirt, etc. will not leave the cage and will remain under it or on the blanket, therefore, cleaning will be much easier;
Conclusion:
Your dog’s crate is like a house. This is where he will sleep and rest. If your dog goes into his crate alone, he is looking for a place to sleep.
During these times, the dog mustn’t be interrupted by children or other people. Never use the crate to punish your dog! It can be frustrating when your puppy whines endlessly once in his crate.
Your dog may be hungry or want to do his business. However, it’s also possible that you rushed crate training and need to take a few steps back.
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