To properly crate train a new dog, consider how the crate functions for the dog, and use the crate as a tool to teach the dog about its new environment, your home. Canines in the wild sleep in dens. Having one entrance seems to provide a sense of security for them. Often used as part of house training a puppy (because dogs do not like to soil their "den"), a crate can help a dog of any age adjust to a new space. Use the crate to create a sense of safety for the dog and to facilitate a successful transition to a new life.
Instructions
1. Before bringing the dog home, delineate guidelines for using the crate. Make sure everyone who contributes to the dog's care understands the crate's use. Consider posting the guidelines near the crate. Agree on a command for making the dog go to the crate, such as, "Go to your place." Agree on the command for closing the crate with the dog inside, such as, "This is quiet time." Finally, choose a command for opening the crate calmly, such as, "Time to come out." Place the crate in a quiet corner of a room people use. Do not keep dogs in dark, damp basements, garages, or non-family areas. Think of the crate as a room within a room, the dog's room. When bringing the dog home, allow for a few days to spend together. Avoid adopting a dog on Sunday and returning to work on Monday.
2. Make the crate appealing. Line the crate with a soft blanket, towel or bed. Place a toy or chew inside. Leave the door of the crate open, and let the dog explore. Offer verbal encouragement when the dog peeks in. Start introducing terms: "That's your place." Consider feeding the dog inside the crate with the door open.
3. After a few days days, gently close the door of the crate while the dog is eating, chewing on a toy, or resting quietly, but open the door before the dog finishes. Gradually increase the time in the crate, from a few moments to minutes. Do this throughout the day. Ignore whining or barking. Try walking away and waiting until the dog is quiet. After a few minutes of quiet, calmly return and reward the quiet dog. Distractions will minimize whining. A toy stuffed with peanut butter provides an immediate diversion.
4. Be consistent and patient. Remember the long-term goals: making the dog feel safe, and encouraging the dog's success in the home. Slowly shaping behavior is the key to crate training. Also, observe the dog when it is outside the crate. Look for clues for when the dog is comfortable and when the dog is anxious. Eventually, your dog may voluntarily choose to sleep in the crate. At that point, you can remove the door or leave it open at all times.
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