How to Crate Train Your Dog?

Crate training is not a one-off thing. It might take you some significant amount of time before your dog or puppy is fully trained. Crate training requires a lot of patience as it is something that might take days or even weeks.

Is crate training really necessary? Well, some pet parents may have reservations about crate training as they view it as being cruel.

However, crate training has a lot of benefits. For one, it gives the dog security, which is especially if he gets agitated in social surroundings. It also helps in preventing destructive behavior from the dog and also, it is fantastic for travel.

How to Crate Train Your Dog or Puppy?

1. Introduce your dog o the crate

The first step of crate training your dog is finding him a crate that is comfortable, shopping for toys, and go through acana dog food review to get ideas on the perfect treats for him.

When you have all that ready, you should place your crate somewhere in the house where he likes to spend most of his time or, somewhere you as the parent spend most of your time. Like in the living room.

Show your dog to the crate. Do not be forceful as it will not go well. You can start by placing treats near the door of the crate. If it doesn’t work out the first time, repeat the procedure other times until he is comfortable getting into the tray.

Read More: Dog Training Tips: How To Train Your Dog In The Right Way

2. Give your dog his meals inside the case

Eventually, your dog will enter the crate, even if he might not stay in for long. It is okay as this usually takes several days. To make him start getting used to being inside the crate, you can start giving him his meals from inside the crate.

However, remember that closing the door in the first few days is not advisable. The dog might feel uncomfortable about being caged.

Therefore, care to leave the door open while the dog takes his food. As you progress, you can be closing the door when he starts taking his meals and, open it as soon as he clears his plate.

3. Train him to stay longer inside the crate

At this point, the dog will be making short visits to the crate to find his toys and look for treats. After meals, he might also stay a few more minutes before he leaves. You need to increase the length of time he can stay inside.

You can start by telling him to get into the crate; you could use food to convince him. Once inside, you can bring your chair next to the crate and stay there a while.

He will be more comfortable and will start getting used to it. Since he won’t always be having company, you also need to train him to be comfortable if left alone by leaving for a couple of minutes and coming back.

Repeat the exercise until your dog can stay even for over an hour. In no time, he will also be spending the night in his crate comfortably.