Crate Training

 

  • Feed them in the crate every day WITHOUT closing the door. This teaches them that the crate is a good place to be, as good things happen in it. He will eventually start going in on his own in hopes to get food. 

  • Crate them while you are home. This teaches him that the crate does not always mean you are leaving him. 

  • Leave the door open and reward him/her with a treat any time s/he decides on their own to enter the crate. This teaches them that the crate is a safe space, not a trap. S/he may come and go as he pleases “most of the time”.

  • Leave an interactive toy in the crate when you leave. This gives them something to do. If the crate is boring but outside the crate is fun, naturally they will resist the boring place. You need to make the crate more interesting than the outside. 

  • DO NOT leave water or food in the crate. This can lead to them drinking too much and having an accident. Holding their bladder for too long too often can cause urinary tract issues amongst other health problems.

  • Always take them to go potty before and after being crated for over 1hr. This will help prevent the issue above and any accidents. 

  • NEVER use the crate as a punishment. Many people confuse punishment with decompression. If they did something bad and need time in a less stimulating environment to relax, crating is a good choice. You must crate them in a neutral demeanor though. Not positive or negative indicators from you can be permitted.  If they did something bad, you yell at them, and crate them frequently, they will begin to see the crate as being equal to doing something bad. AKA “going in the crate means I’m in trouble”. 

  • When s/he enters the crate, say a command like “crate” and reward with a treat or verbally. Eventually, s/he will understand that that word means to go into the crate. 

  • When you let them out of the crate, make them wair until you give a release command. I personally use "get out".





Overall, the goal is to make the crate an exciting yet relaxing place. Keep a bed or blanket in it so it is comfortable. Also, never give in if he refuses to go in when you tell him. It may mean it takes an extra hour now, but in the end, it will take 30s to crate him and leave. If you allow him to get away with not entering, you are teaching him that if he resists long enough he will get what he wants.


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