Crate Training A Dog
Crate training a dog is an excellent way to raise a pooch from puppy-hood to old friend. Some people worry that it might be cruel, but when used for the right reasons, nothing could be further from the truth. Using crate training to teach your dog is an effective and humane way to establish your dog a place in your home and in the world and give him a strong feeling of security.
Crate training is a popular house training method which provides your pet with his own special den and establishes acceptable behaviors for life in your home, including housebreaking. But crate training a dog is not only useful for house training. Here are five important tips for crate training your dog.
1.) Never send your dog to his crate as a punishment. Don't let there be any anger in your voice. If your dog misbehaves, simply lead him to the cage with encouraging words. Think of it as a happy place for your pet to go for a break when needed. Try to sit with the dog a while and pet him to reassure him that you are not angry.
2.) Give your pet's crate a homey atmosphere. Offer the dog blankets, chew toys, and a pillow to rest upon. But, do not put food or drink in the dog's cage with him. Make it a place to rest.
3.) Do not put your pet in the cage all or even most of the time. For example, don't leave him in the crate all day while you are at work. Dogs are pack animals. They are social and they want to be with other animals - which includes us. To a dog, the family that lives in his home are other members of his pack. Sure, humans don't quite smell like other dogs, but that's not the point. You will be hard pressed to find a dog that doesn't think of itself as 'people.'
4.) When crate training a dog, always be consistent. If your dog is jumping on people and you are using the cage to redirect him from this habit, be sure to crate him each time an incident occurs. Remember to keep it a pleasant experience for the dog by allowing your guests to drop by the crate and say hello to the dog and pet him.
5.) Crate training your dog is also extremely effective when you use 'scheduled crate time.' Like a child, even a dog needs to rest. These magnificent creatures, known to many as 'man's best friend,' are light sleepers, always on guard for our protection. Giving them some 'nap time' will make them far better behaved and calmer too.
If you want a well trained dog, crate training is an exceptional route to travel. Used correctly it will make your dog accept you as his master or 'pack leader' which is the first step in any successful dog training.
Using a crate to train your pet offers the animal his own little 'kingdom' and you can even have lots of fun decorating it and dressing it up. If done right, with love and compassion, crate training a dog can offer the two of you an amazing friendship free of much of the 'drama' of dog ownership.