Crate Training Your Dog

Crate Training a dog is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

First, we need to point out what are the advantages of crate training our dogs.

-you will be having that peace of mind that whenever you leave your dog, you know that nothing will be destroyed or soiled inside your house
-your dog will be comfortable, safe and will not have bad habits
-you can do dog potty training while confining your dog, he will be motivated to wait until taken outside
-traveling with your dog will be easy and safe, he won't be playing around inside your car or interfering in your driving
-your dog will enjoy the sense of security and privacy in his den where he can go to whenever he gets tired or stressed
-you will be having a peaceful environment once you crate train your dog because he will have fewer behavioral problems like unnecessary barking and chewing
-It will also serve as a mobile indoor dog house which you can move from one location to another whenever you want

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CRATE FOR YOUR DOG
There are a lot of types of crates which you can purchase at most pet supply stores or you can click my online store above to choose from a wide variety of crates. These crates may be plastic (often called "flight kennels") or collapsible, metal pens. Your dog's crate should be just large enough for him to stand up and turn around in. If your dog is still growing, choose a crate size that will accommodate his adult size. Block off the excess crate space so your dog can't eliminate at one end and retreat to the other.


BEST LOCATION TO PLACE THE CRATE
-Place the crate to an area where the family spends a lot of time like the living room or kitchen. Move the crate to your bedroom at night so that you can hear him whenever he wants to go out


CRATE TRAINING STEPS

Step 1 -- Introduction to the crate
Put a small blanket or towel inside the crate. With a happy tone ask your dog to get inside the crate. To encourage him, put some treats or toys in the crate and never force your dog to get into it. If he doesn't get inside the crate continue putting treats and toys in it for several days until he finally gets inside.

Step 2 -- Feeding Your Dog in The Crate
After you introduced your dog to the crate; you should begin feeding his regular meals near or inside the crate. If he is already comfortable inside the cage then put his food inside it but if he wouldn't still get inside, just place the food near the entrance of the crate. Then slowly move his dish inside the crate whenever you are feeding him.

When he gets comfortable eating his meal inside the crate you can now close the door while he is eating. Immediately open the door once he finishes his meal then with each successive feedings leave the door closed a little bit longer until he stays in the crate for 10 minutes or so after eating. Now if he gets noisy and wanting to get out when you close the crate, maybe you have increased the length of time too quickly. Next time try to leave him for a short period of time and when he whines again and becomes noisy leave him in the cage until he calms down, otherwise he will think that the only way to get out of the cage is through whining.


Step 3 -- Conditioning Your Dog to the Crate for Longer Periods

When you see that your dog is already comfortable eating inside the crate without fear and anxiety, you can confine him there for short time periods while you’re home. Call him to get inside the crate and give him a treat. Give him a command to enter, such as, “inside+his name.” Encourage him by pointing to the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand. When he enters the crate, praise him, give him the treat and close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for five to 10 minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time, then let him out of the crate.

For several days repeat this process. With each repetition, gradually increase the length of time you leave him in the crate and the length of time you’re out of his sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in the crate for about 30 minutes with you out of sight the majority of the time, you can begin leaving him crated when you’re gone for short time periods and/or letting him sleep there at night. This may take several days or several weeks.

As I said crate training is as easy as 1, 2, 3