Part 3 – Crate or Cage Training Techniques
How to Start Crate Training?
Essential Tools:
- Positive reinforcement (praise and treats)
- Patience, it’s a process
- Belief that it will get better
Start slow, get them to want to go into the crate on their own. If your pup is showing resistance to going to the crate on their own, bring them over to the crate and talk to her in a positive voice, try leading them in the crate with a treat (pieces of apple or real chicken meat). But do not force her to go in. Be patient; it will work out, give her time as they get comfortable with the crate.
Have the crate door open, set some treats from outside the crate leading it to inside. Let the pup explore the inside. Anything that is positive should be given in the crate like meals, toys, and treats. Decide on a command word, to communicate with your pup to go in the crate.
- My command word is, “Inside.” When I’m about to give a meal or treat, I will start out by saying, “Inside, Inside.”
- Throwing a few pieces of food inside the crate, encouraging the pup to go in.
- First they will seem confused, as training progresses they will get it. Duration of sessions should last about 10-15 mins, pups have short attention spans, like us modern-time humans.
- At the beginning, keep the door open feeding.
As the pup progresses, start testing their limit with the door being closed maybe about 10 min intervals. This is a daily routine until you feel confident that the pup is showing signs they are understanding and they are feeling more comfortable in the crate. Keeping the door propped open and allowing your dog to explore; one day they will even just naturally start sleeping in the crate right away.
The next stage is to leave them in the crate for longer periods of time from 15 minutes to 30 minutes then to 1 hour and so on.
Part 4 – Crate setup
How to Make the Crate More Inviting for the Pup?
One thing before you start leaving the pup in the crate for a longer period of time. Environment is everything, even to us humans. Make the crate feel like a welcoming place. Placing soft blankets, a snuggle toy, and a dog bed inside can help to make it feel more comfortable. This gives them a comfortable place to lay; it gives them a choice whether they want a hard ground or a soft bedding. I recommend something that is comfortable but will not trap heat like, too soft and fluffy, it will make the dog too hot.