Easy Steps to Puppy Crate Training
Puppy crate training is easy especially if you begin training your puppy the day you bring him home.
Buy a crate big enough to allow puppy to lie down, stand and turn around inside it, but not so big she will be inclined to use it as her toilet (Dogs do not like to toilet in a small living space.)
If your puppy will grow to be a big dog, find a crate with a moveable divider. Otherwise, you’ll need several crates from puppy to adulthood.
Put a washable pad or folded old towels in the bottom of the crate.
Puppies are naturally curious. If there’s a crate in his long-term confinement area with the door open and a few pieces of kibble inside, your puppy will investigate it. Bet on it!
Every time puppy investigates the inside of the crate even if only to put his head in, praise him and give him a treat.
If there’s an especially tasty treat at the back of the crate and she goes inside to get it, do close the door.
In the unlikely event that she ignores the crate entirely on day one, do nothing. Make a plan for day two to make the crate more interesting. Puppy training is a creative endeavour for you. Think like a puppy when you want to achieve something. For example: on day two, you and puppy are playing with a squeaky toy. Once she is really interested in the toy, toss it into the crate – not too far inside the first time. Praise her when she retrieves it. The threshold of the crate has been crossed!
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Toss the squeaky toy into the crate intermittently while you continue to play. Toss a treat or two in the crate in place of the toy just to keep it interesting.
After she’s retrieved the toy or the treat from the crate 3 – 5 times, end the session.
Play the same game several times throughout the day.
On day two of crate training puppy, put her breakfast just inside the crate. It doesn’t have to be in a dish. A small mound of kibble will do nicely. Do attempt to move her further into the crate or close the door. If she is reluctant to go in, play day one games again today and try putting dinner in the crate.
Patience and small steps will win the day!
If feeding breakfast in the crate went well, feed lunch the same way, perhaps placing the mound of kibble mid-way to the back of the crate. If puppy is undeterred by having to go a little farther into the crate, close the door
Repeat this crate training procedure at dinnertime.
On day three, feed puppy at the back of the crate, moving the door slowly towards the closed position.
If at any time during puppy crate training your puppy is uncomfortable, back up to the previously successful step.
Taking tiny steps in all the puppy training you do is more time consuming to be sure.
The payoffs are:
1) A confident puppy
2) A puppy who trusts
Isn’t that what training your puppy is all about?
Jude LeMoine brings a lifetime of service -oriented careers and a lifetime of owning and loving dogs to her latest venture…puppy training.
Located on the Sunshine Coast BC,Jude will come to your home on the Coast, on Bowen Island or on the Lower Mainland to help you teach your new puppy the manners you want him to have.
For interesting and helpful information on developing a great relationship with your dog, visit her website: http://www.judethepuppynanny.com/
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