When you begin training, dog training aids are a great way to get started. Crates are a fantastic way to allow your dog to feel safe, and although it may seem like a cage to us, to a dog it actually makes them feel more secure. A crate is one training aid you won’t want to be without.

The other aid you wont want to be without is treats. Find out what your puppy loves best, and then give it to him for doing good things! Nothing is more effective.

Most of all enjoy it – these first few months a magical time and allow you to buuild a lifelong bond with your dog.

First of all, you need to realise that the crate must be a place for the dog to feel safe, secure and relaxed. That means you should never use the crate as a punishment. If your dog starts to see the crate as a negative place to be then all the benefits of having a crate trained dog will be lost. Also remember that while the cage might seem like a cruel cage to you, your dog won’t see it like that as long as you make it comfortable!

How To Crate Train A Dog

1. First of all you want your dog to get used to the crate. You can do this by leaving the crate in a prominent place with the door open. Don’t force the dog inside, just let it explore the crate naturally. Make it a safe and comforting place by putting soft bedding inside and maybe a few toys.

2. Once your dog is at ease with the crate then you could try putting a treat by the door. When your dog takes the treat give it praise. Repeat this over time, each time moving the treat further back into the crate.

3. Once your dog seems to be comfortable inside the crate, try slowly shutting the door for a short period of time. Repeat this with gradually longer times with the door shut. Eventually try leaving the room with the door shut.

Remember that it’s vital the crate is as comfortable as possible for the dog. Also remember that if your dog whines when you first shut the door, don’t open it again until it’s silent.

Crate training a dog should be one of the first things you should do with a new puppy because it has so many benefits.

It is a good idea to buy a crate when you first get the dog so that it starts to get used to it straight away. Start by putting a treat near the door, and then push it further inside every time. It will also help if you keep some chewy bones as well as toys within the crate when he is inside.

The time he spends in the crate can be increased slowly, but you should stay in the room and not leave him alone to start with. This is an important aspect of the crate training techniques. Once he feels at home you can start leaving him alone in the room for short time and this can also be lengthen as he becomes more comfortable. It is a time consuming process and will require a lot of patience but take each step slowly and only move ahead when the pet feels at ease with it.

It is vital that you do not place the dog in the crate as a punishment and also give him enough occasions to stretch himself.

The crate is like a room for your pet and he sees it as a security blanket. In fact once the pet gets used to the crate he will feel safe and at home inside it.

For us the crate may look like confinement, but the dog will take it to be his den and will feel comfortable as long as you never use it as a punishment. It is quite simple to make a small puppy feel that the crate is a very pleasant place. Here are the basics of crate training:

1. First of all, make the crate comfortable by adding bedding, a toy and perhaps even a bowl of water. You want your dog to feel as relaxed as possible within the crate.
2. Next, leave the door of the crate open for a while and just let your dog get used to it naturally. Don’t force the dog inside.
3. Now place a treat at the door and wait for the dog to go and get it. When it does, later on put one a little way inside and so on until the dog is fully inside. Don’t shut the door yet, but let the dog get used to it.
4. When you feel the dog is comfortable, try shutting the door. Stay in the same room as the dog to start with, and only keep it confined for short amounts of time. Gradually increase the amount of time, and then start leaving the room. Gradually build your dogs confidence until it can be left there for sometime.

Crate training is often simple when the puppy is very small but can be a little more tricky got older dogs. You will have to spend more time as well as effort for crate training an adult dog that has never been in a crate before. It is definitely possible though!

The most important points to remember are:

• Never use the crate as punishment. Just by doing this a few times can destroy all your previous work.
• Always allow the dog to stretch itself regularly. If possible, don’t leave the dog confined in the crate for more than a few hours at a time. Even less when first training.