While it might seem like spending time in a crate is restrictive for a dog, in actuality, dogs often find crates to be more of a cozy refuge or den rather than a cage. Crate training has many benefits for dog owners, and it can make life safer and happier for your pet.
Crates often are used to support training when you first bring home that new puppy or perhaps your new rescue dog. The crate is very helpful with housebreaking because it not only keeps them in one place, it also contains a bed, and dogs don't like to go to the bathroom in a place where they sleep. Because they won't potty on a bed, you can keep them in the crate for a few hours, and then take them on a walk where they can go to the bathroom. You can even crate a dog overnight to prevent accidents in your home. Some people always crate their animals at night, while others do so only until housebreaking rules have been established. Generally, it is unwise to keep a dog in a crate longer than about seven hours, especially with a puppy. During the day, a crate can be a good place to keep your new dog as you clean or are busy with other tasks, so they cannot get into trouble or harm during the early stages of behavior training.
A crate should be just big enough so that your dog can turn in a circle and also lie down. If it's too small, they will be uncomfortable and if the crate is too large, then they might just use one corner of it to go to the bathroom, which you do not want. Your goal should be to make the crate time a positive experience for your animal and never used as a punishment.
In general, dogs need to warm up to new things and this is definitely true of the crate. They will be scared if you simply place them inside, shut the door and leave. So begin by showing them the soft, cozy crate bed and place it inside the crate with a yummy treat inside. When they go inside, don't shut the crate door, just let them enjoy the treat and leave if they wish. Spend some time next to your pet with the crate door open and gently pet them and give them soft praise. Sometimes a favorite toy can be reserved only for time in the crate and this can make crate time special. When you finally do shut the door, do so gently as the banging of the door might startle or upset your pet.
While crates make housebreaking easier, they also are helpful places to keep your dog when you are not at home, and many owners always crate their dogs when they are away. This prevents accidents, of course, but dogs often get nervous and restless when their humans are away and can become destructive. This will only make you unhappy with your dog, and using a crate can help prevent problems. Obedience training in general also can prevent many common problems such as chewing or scratching and even dangerous issues such as running off.
To ensure that your dog is properly trained in a variety of situations, consider purchasing a helpful set of dog training DVDs, such as The Dog's Way. This obedience training program includes 12 lessons spread among five DVDs as well as a helpful workbook and reminder cards. The dog training includes teaching the dog to walk on a leash properly, how to sit and stay on command, how to recognize boundaries, coming when you call and many more crucial obedience skills.
Crates often are used to support training when you first bring home that new puppy or perhaps your new rescue dog. The crate is very helpful with housebreaking because it not only keeps them in one place, it also contains a bed, and dogs don't like to go to the bathroom in a place where they sleep. Because they won't potty on a bed, you can keep them in the crate for a few hours, and then take them on a walk where they can go to the bathroom. You can even crate a dog overnight to prevent accidents in your home. Some people always crate their animals at night, while others do so only until housebreaking rules have been established. Generally, it is unwise to keep a dog in a crate longer than about seven hours, especially with a puppy. During the day, a crate can be a good place to keep your new dog as you clean or are busy with other tasks, so they cannot get into trouble or harm during the early stages of behavior training.
A crate should be just big enough so that your dog can turn in a circle and also lie down. If it's too small, they will be uncomfortable and if the crate is too large, then they might just use one corner of it to go to the bathroom, which you do not want. Your goal should be to make the crate time a positive experience for your animal and never used as a punishment.
In general, dogs need to warm up to new things and this is definitely true of the crate. They will be scared if you simply place them inside, shut the door and leave. So begin by showing them the soft, cozy crate bed and place it inside the crate with a yummy treat inside. When they go inside, don't shut the crate door, just let them enjoy the treat and leave if they wish. Spend some time next to your pet with the crate door open and gently pet them and give them soft praise. Sometimes a favorite toy can be reserved only for time in the crate and this can make crate time special. When you finally do shut the door, do so gently as the banging of the door might startle or upset your pet.
While crates make housebreaking easier, they also are helpful places to keep your dog when you are not at home, and many owners always crate their dogs when they are away. This prevents accidents, of course, but dogs often get nervous and restless when their humans are away and can become destructive. This will only make you unhappy with your dog, and using a crate can help prevent problems. Obedience training in general also can prevent many common problems such as chewing or scratching and even dangerous issues such as running off.
To ensure that your dog is properly trained in a variety of situations, consider purchasing a helpful set of dog training DVDs, such as The Dog's Way. This obedience training program includes 12 lessons spread among five DVDs as well as a helpful workbook and reminder cards. The dog training includes teaching the dog to walk on a leash properly, how to sit and stay on command, how to recognize boundaries, coming when you call and many more crucial obedience skills.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan loves watching dog show. For more information about the best DVD dog training videos, or to discover other dog training videos like obedience training DVD online, please go to the TheDogsWay.com site today.
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