The Necessity for Dog Crate Training
Almost every dog breed was bred from the wolf. Like wolves, dogs are pack animals that became domesticated approximately 15,000 years ago. With that said, you must realize that like wolves, your dog is a den animal as well. What this means is that your dog requires a haven that they can feel security and protection.
Many dog owners leave their animals to roam freely about the backyard or garden. There are too many distractions for this to be considered a place of safety for your dog. Your dog's haven should be its crate — the proverbial wolf's den. It isn't meant as just a place for rest but also the ideal location for offspring to be born. Just as you come home from work each day to the comfort of your couch and television programming, your dog needs a sanctuary to experience true relaxation.
Many dog owners believe that crate trianing dogs is cruel. It is not, dogs enjoy the tranquility of been in their crate, and they feel safe, especially when they have been crated
at an early age.
When a dog becomes tired of playing, or if it seeks privacy for whatever reason (devouring a new bone for instance), a crate is its ideal place of solitude. The crate is a simple, modernized and man-made dog house that every home should make room for.
Dog crate training should ideally begin when your dog is a puppy. At the time you bring your new pet home, you should start crate training your dog puppy. Whether young or old, your dog should still readily adapt to this new edition, but it is definitively easier when you crate train a dog at as early age. The instinctual draw the dog feels towards its confines makes this training much easier than expected. Nature is on your side.
To begin crate training a dog, you must have a crate large enough to support your dog's size. It is impractical to buy a new crate every time your dog grows a few inches. Dogs
grow quickly and this method can turn out costing you heavily. Instead, buy a crate that can handle the puppy's eventual size. The only issue with this is that a puppy might consider the available room adequate enough to relieve itself on one side while sleeping on the other. This can be unhealthy considering many dogs tend to consume fecal matter, or lay down on their pee when it's too warm.
Start crate training by introducing your dog to its new sanctuary. He may sniff it and even enter it. Next, place the dog's food inside. Be sure not to immediately close the cage's door. You must portray the crate as a non-threatening device — somewhere the dog may go and leave freely from. Remember to always praise the dog when he is inside the crate.
Step two involves making sure the dog is familiar with its crate. Once achieved, close the cage's door. Expect restlessness and agitation. The puppy may cry or whine to start.
Ignore its behavior and the panic should lessen. The more attention you pay the dog, the more noise it is likely to create. With many animals, including cats, any amount of attention will elicit bad behavior.
A way to lessen the strife of the dog is to include a toy of his inside the crate to keep him occupied. You can also exercise your dog (e.g., take him out for a walk or play catch) prior to placing him inside the enclosure. A preferred method is to use a special treat for crate time — a treat exclusive to being placed inside of the crate, this will be your create training your dog treat.
Crate training for dogs — a basic but essential aspect of your dog's curriculum — can be a tedious task. Rest assured, though, that everything will turn out fine if you rely on patience to get you both through it. You and your dog will have a much smoother relationship once crate training is completed.
Have a great "dog training" day,
Dr. Alfonso
