Crate training is just one of the methods used to house train your dog or puppy. Whenever you have to leave your dog unattended, it’s best to keep him in his crate. It is known that most dogs do not go to the bathroom in the same place that he sleeps, so the dog will probably try to hold him when he is confined to his crate. This training has the side effect of teaching the dog not to get into the bad habit of having accidents in your home.
So how do you start crate training your dog?
You will first need a box to get started. There are a variety of kennels to choose from, it’s up to you which one you think is the best fit for your dog. You can choose from types like wire cages, soft tarps or nylon crates, and plastic pet carriers. Each one has its own unique advantage, style and use. However, the most commonly used type is the wire cage as it allows your dog to see everything that is going on around him, and has an additional panel that you can use to make the cage smaller or larger, based on your dog’s size requirements. It’s also collapsible so you can store it easily, and it has a sliding tray on the floor that makes cleaning very efficient. You can check the rest of the cages to see if you want another type of cage for your dog and all that.
When you have your crate, you can now introduce it to your dog. You need to maintain a positive feeling when crate training your dog. You have to start slow. You don’t want to scare your dog. First, he can try and put something soft in the bottom of the crate, and maybe include some of his dog toys to make it snug and comfortable. You can also throw some treats on it. Don’t force your dog into the crate. Let him explore the box at his own pace. Every time he comes in of his own free will, give him a treat and praise him for a job well done. You would have to keep the cage door open until he is comfortable with it. Let your dog come and go as he pleases for a while.
Once your dog starts to get comfortable going in and out of the crate, you can now try locking him in there. Again, he throws some treats into the box. Once the dog enters, he slowly closes the door. He waits a few minutes or so and see if his dog stays still. Then let it out again. You can keep doing this while slowly extending the amount of time you have to leave your dog in his crate while he’s home, until he can stay there comfortably for an hour or so.
After that, you can move on to leaving your dog alone in his crate. When he is quiet in his cage once you leave the room for a few minutes, he goes back inside. Gradually increase the amount of time he spends out of the room, until your dog is comfortable in his crate, alone in a room for an hour or more. That should be the start for your dog to get used to. And that’s how it comes to crate training your dog.