How to Crate Train Your Dog with Ease
For dogs, crates can be a secure safe space that is truly their own. But crate training can be difficult for many owners. Here’s what not to do when crate training, and tips on how to make it easier.
Crate Training a Puppy: What Not to Do
Like with any training process, there are some do’s and don'ts that dog parents should follow to ensure a smooth learning process for their canines. Here are three things that dog owners commonly do that can make crate training a puppy challenging.
Don’t: Leave Them in the Crate for Excessive Time
At its core, crate training is about teaching puppies that the crate is a safe and comfortable space. Some owners leave their puppies in the crate for hours at a time, believing that more time in the crate will lead to better association.
But leaving them confined for hours can lead to the opposite effect. In fact, it can lead to anxiety, boredom, and even behavioral problems. Puppies also have small bladders and limited control over their bodily functions. So leaving them crated for hours at a time could result in frequent accidents.
Don’t: Keep the Crate Empty and Bare
For a puppy to truly feel like their crate is their own personal space, they’ll need some comfort. This means adding:
These items provide comfort, stimulate their mind, and alleviate their boredom.
Don’t: Use the Crate for Punishment
Some dog owners use crates as a means of punishment. But, with any new environment or experience, a puppy’s crate should be associated with positive experiences to make training easier.
Using a crate as punishment makes a puppy more adverse to training, and can build their fear and anxiety. So it’s important that owners use positive reinforcement techniques.
Crates can be a valuable tool for dog parents and their pets. However, with these common missteps, this training process can become more complex and challenging for both the dog and the owner. Owners should exercise patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to ensure a successful crate training process.
The Do’s: How to Crate Train a Puppy with Ease
Dog parents know how stressful and challenging training can be. So how can crate training be easier? When it comes to how to crate-train a puppy with ease, keep these four points in mind.
- Create a routine: Like with any training, consistency is key. So be sure to have a routine surrounding crate training. This includes how many times a week, and for how long.
- Be Patient: Training can be a lengthy process and takes a lot of encouragement. So be sure to exercise patience with your puppy so they feel supported in learning.
- Use Positive Reinforcement: Dogs learn best with positive reinforcement, creating a harmonious bond between you and your companion. This includes praise, pets, and treats.
- Encourage Playtime: Puppies have a lot of energy, which makes staying confined difficult. With playtime and exercise, they’ll learn that the crate is a place for rest and recuperating.
Remember, crate training is a process. But with these steps in mind, the process can be made a little easier for both you and your new pup.
Learn More with Get Joy
At Get Joy, dog parents can find more than nutritious food and high-quality supplements. We also offer resources where you can learn more about keeping your canine healthy. Learn more about how we can help support your dog today.
