Have you decided to crate-train your dog? If so, you’re going to have to think about some things first. Crate training is a great way to help your dog become well-behaved and comfortable in new situations. It can also help with separation anxiety and other problems that can arise when your dog feels the need to be near you.
Here are some things to consider:
First, you need to make sure that your dog is old enough and big enough for a crate. You can’t just put a puppy in a crate and expect it to be happy about it or know what to do. Typically, around six months of age puppies will begin to crate train. But if you have an exceptionally large breed of dog or one that has been growing slowly due to health issues, they may not be able to handle being in a crate until they are older.
Next, you’ll need to make sure that your dog is healthy enough to go through this process. If your dog has any health problems or injuries that might make being confined uncomfortable or painful for them (like arthritis), then they should not be crated at all until those issues have been addressed by a vet.
After that, you’ll need to figure out where exactly you’re going to put the crate when training starts!
You should:
1. Get a crate that’s big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around in, and lie down comfortably.
2. Place the crate in an area where you spend a lot of time—like the living room or kitchen—and let your dog explore it on his own by leaving the door open.
3. Give him treats while he’s inside the crate so he associates it with good things happening!
4. When he goes in on his own, praise him like crazy!
Ready to crate train? Here are some tips on how to get started!
1. Start by letting your dog explore the crate on their own terms. If they are not afraid of it, they will go inside on their own accord and begin exploring it as a safe space. You should never force them into the crate!
2. Place some treats or food inside the crate, so that they come to associate positive feelings with being inside it.
3. After this, you should put the door of the crate open so that they can come and go as they please. This will help them feel more comfortable being inside it when you aren’t there yet!
4. Once they are comfortable with this step, try closing them inside for a few minutes at a time while you’re home so that they get used to spending time away from you but still in close proximity.
