Being able to crate your dog has endless applications and it's not something your dog will necessarily dislike, quite the contrary, the crate becomes a safe haven or a den if you like, similar to a kennel.
One great example that comes to mind is if you have a newborn. Even if you have a well socialised dog you may be reluctant to put the baby down while the dog is around so you can attend the phone or stove, how ever if you could command your dog to its crate temporarily you will diminish all anxiety in regard to your child's safety.
My preference of crate type (or should I say the dogs) is the enclosed type suitable for aircraft transport. They are heavier and don't fold up neatly like the wire crates. I do use both, however the dogs always run into the enclosed ones first. It's first in best dressed.
If you do decide to purchase the enclosed type ensure its airline standard approved, your pup may not like missing out on that interstate holiday to see the rely's.
Begin by introducing the crate into the home where it will generally reside ensuring it stays open. Don't say a word to the dog about it, allow him/her to discover the crate on his own. Initially watch your dog, if he enters the crate immediately reward him, this will mean you can fast track training. Begin by placing the dogs food bowl in the crate and leaving it there until its time to feed. At feed time give him special food something he'll do anything for and actually command him to do his special trick. On completion of command reward him with great enthusiasm instantly without any delay by offering him his food. He doesn't need to enter the crate to feed. He may even take some food out of the bowl to eat out side of the crate, that's ok.
The purpose behind this technique is to establish a positive association with the crate. Remember always that great things happen around that crate.
After repeating this technique a few times follow by pushing the bowl to the back of the crate. In addition whilst maintaining the positive reward aspects of it all, as he enters the crate to feed introduce the enter crate command what ever that may be. This helps considerably to keep the focus away from the crate and keeping with the pleasure aspects of it.
In between the feeding play with your dog around the crate, particularly if he likes to fetch toys by throwing toys into the crate to fetch, ONLY rewarding if he enters the crate to fetch.
By this point you are ready to command your dog to enter the crate. With the dogs tucker in one hand and your dog eager to feed, guide him with a slow open palm using the command clearly. When he enters reward instantly by placing bowl inside crate and praising. Repeating technique until he enters crate on command without food. With this technique your dog must be eager to feed. If not eager its possibly because he's being fed twice daily, if this is the case then feed once daily and increasing the quantity, only puppies need to eat twice daily.
One great example that comes to mind is if you have a newborn. Even if you have a well socialised dog you may be reluctant to put the baby down while the dog is around so you can attend the phone or stove, how ever if you could command your dog to its crate temporarily you will diminish all anxiety in regard to your child's safety.
My preference of crate type (or should I say the dogs) is the enclosed type suitable for aircraft transport. They are heavier and don't fold up neatly like the wire crates. I do use both, however the dogs always run into the enclosed ones first. It's first in best dressed.
If you do decide to purchase the enclosed type ensure its airline standard approved, your pup may not like missing out on that interstate holiday to see the rely's.
Begin by introducing the crate into the home where it will generally reside ensuring it stays open. Don't say a word to the dog about it, allow him/her to discover the crate on his own. Initially watch your dog, if he enters the crate immediately reward him, this will mean you can fast track training. Begin by placing the dogs food bowl in the crate and leaving it there until its time to feed. At feed time give him special food something he'll do anything for and actually command him to do his special trick. On completion of command reward him with great enthusiasm instantly without any delay by offering him his food. He doesn't need to enter the crate to feed. He may even take some food out of the bowl to eat out side of the crate, that's ok.
The purpose behind this technique is to establish a positive association with the crate. Remember always that great things happen around that crate.
After repeating this technique a few times follow by pushing the bowl to the back of the crate. In addition whilst maintaining the positive reward aspects of it all, as he enters the crate to feed introduce the enter crate command what ever that may be. This helps considerably to keep the focus away from the crate and keeping with the pleasure aspects of it.
In between the feeding play with your dog around the crate, particularly if he likes to fetch toys by throwing toys into the crate to fetch, ONLY rewarding if he enters the crate to fetch.
By this point you are ready to command your dog to enter the crate. With the dogs tucker in one hand and your dog eager to feed, guide him with a slow open palm using the command clearly. When he enters reward instantly by placing bowl inside crate and praising. Repeating technique until he enters crate on command without food. With this technique your dog must be eager to feed. If not eager its possibly because he's being fed twice daily, if this is the case then feed once daily and increasing the quantity, only puppies need to eat twice daily.
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