Crate Training Your New Dog

Providing a crate for your dog gives him a safe den like place to go when he wants to sleep or to be alone. It also provides a safe place for you to keep him at night and while you are away from home for short periods to prevent accidents in the home. Crate training your dog takes time and effort but will be well worth it in the long run. Here are 5 simple steps that you can follow to crate train your dog. 

Introducing Him To The Crate

Before introducing your dog to his crate secure the door open so that it won't hit him and frighten him. The first steps in crate training your dog will be accomplished with an open door. You might also want to make sure that prior to the introduction you have comfortable bedding or small dog beds and one or two of your dogs favorite toys in the crate. 

Call your dog over and show him the crate. Be enthusiastic so he can view this new object as a good thing. Then show your dog a treat and place it inside the door of the cage so that he has to put his head inside in order to get the treat. If he does this with no reluctance then place the next treat in just a little further. Keep moving the treat back until the dog willingly goes completely into the crate to get his treat. 

Once your dog goes readily into the crate to retrieve his treat you are ready for the next step which is feeding him in his crate. 

Feeding Your Dog and Getting Him to Remain in The Closed Crate

Place your dogs food bowl in the back of the crate, when he begins to eat close the door but, open it the moment he has finished eating. The following day leave the crate closed for a minute or two after your dog has finished his meal. Keep extending the time until your dog remains quiet in his crate for up to 30 minutes. If he whines do not let him out until he quiets. 

Getting Your Dog Used to Being in The Crate When You Are Not Present

Start teaching your dog a command you will use when you want him to go into his crate. Once he enters give him a treat and a lot of praise. Close the door and sit quietly in the room for a few minutes and then get up and leave the room for a minute or two before returning. Sit by the crate again for a couple of minutes and then open the door. 

Slowly lengthen the period you are gone from the room until your dog can remain quiet in the crate while you are gone for a half an hour or more. Make sure he has toys to play with. You can now leave the house for short periods and begin leaving him in his crate at night. 

Exercising and taking your dog out to bathroom before night crating will help to ensure that your dog remains in his crate peacefully through the night. 

Crate training your dog takes a little patience but it will be worth it when your dog voluntarily goes into his crate to sleep at night.  After they do well with the crate, you can then start to confine them when you aren’t home with metal dog gates.