Crate Training Dogs - What, Why and How
Have you ever wondered what "crate training dogs" meant? It seemed like an inhumane form of torture for punishing canine disobedience.
Reading up on it though, it might surprise you to find out that it's actually a "nesting" method for dogs based on their primal need for security.
They say dogs descended from wolves.
Whether or not that's true, definitely before they were pets they were animals who lived in the wild.
These animals would utilize dark, safe shelters as their lairs.
It served as their nesting place from all the disturbances and danger lurking out in the open spaces.
This principle is the foundation of training dogs to go to their crates or "dens" when they are feeling distressed or tense.
Crate training has proven extremely helpful in relieving dogs of the stress of a busy household.
They also aid in house training dogs, containing them in an area where they would do least damage.
Pet owners would benefit from having the crate to protect puppies from harming themselves.
Should you decide on traveling long distances or going to the vet, having dogs that are crate-trained will significantly lessen stress on the family and the dog itself.
Not all animals are suitable to be crate trained.
There are some dogs that may have had serious trauma in the past and cannot be put near a confined box without becoming exceptionally upset.
Other large dogs that have difficulty in being trained will just break the crate.
They will hurt themselves when they panic at the door closing in.
Sometimes, people are just not comfortable with the thought of living, breathing animals being shut in a crate.
Crate training dogs is really dependent on how the owner feels about it.
If you hate thinking of your dog in such a confined space then it's best to forgo this.
However, if you think you and your dog can benefit from a little discipline and space crate training will afford you, then read on to see how to accomplish this the best possible way.
Find a good location, a room in your house that would be close to people.
Make sure that the crate is large enough and begin to put toys and interesting things in.
When the dog is inside, don't close the door yet.
Pet and talk to the dog reassuringly for a few days.
Feed him in the crate.
Then start closing the crate for short periods of time while you're still in the room.
If the dog whimpers or whines, wait for him to be quiet.
You can let him out after he settles down.
Most importantly, do not hurry the process of introducing this concept to your pet.
It can understandably be a little frightening at first so a bit of patience is required.
This should be a calming and de-stressing place for your dog so never send him to his crate as punishment.
When the dog is finally comfortable being closed in the crate alone, you can try leaving the house in short intervals to see how well he responds.
If all is fine, you have successfully crate trained your dog.
Not only will you free yourself from constantly worrying about your pet's needs and whereabouts; your dog will have his own haven of peace and safety from the rest of the world.
Reading up on it though, it might surprise you to find out that it's actually a "nesting" method for dogs based on their primal need for security.
They say dogs descended from wolves.
Whether or not that's true, definitely before they were pets they were animals who lived in the wild.
These animals would utilize dark, safe shelters as their lairs.
It served as their nesting place from all the disturbances and danger lurking out in the open spaces.
This principle is the foundation of training dogs to go to their crates or "dens" when they are feeling distressed or tense.
Crate training has proven extremely helpful in relieving dogs of the stress of a busy household.
They also aid in house training dogs, containing them in an area where they would do least damage.
Pet owners would benefit from having the crate to protect puppies from harming themselves.
Should you decide on traveling long distances or going to the vet, having dogs that are crate-trained will significantly lessen stress on the family and the dog itself.
Not all animals are suitable to be crate trained.
There are some dogs that may have had serious trauma in the past and cannot be put near a confined box without becoming exceptionally upset.
Other large dogs that have difficulty in being trained will just break the crate.
They will hurt themselves when they panic at the door closing in.
Sometimes, people are just not comfortable with the thought of living, breathing animals being shut in a crate.
Crate training dogs is really dependent on how the owner feels about it.
If you hate thinking of your dog in such a confined space then it's best to forgo this.
However, if you think you and your dog can benefit from a little discipline and space crate training will afford you, then read on to see how to accomplish this the best possible way.
Find a good location, a room in your house that would be close to people.
Make sure that the crate is large enough and begin to put toys and interesting things in.
When the dog is inside, don't close the door yet.
Pet and talk to the dog reassuringly for a few days.
Feed him in the crate.
Then start closing the crate for short periods of time while you're still in the room.
If the dog whimpers or whines, wait for him to be quiet.
You can let him out after he settles down.
Most importantly, do not hurry the process of introducing this concept to your pet.
It can understandably be a little frightening at first so a bit of patience is required.
This should be a calming and de-stressing place for your dog so never send him to his crate as punishment.
When the dog is finally comfortable being closed in the crate alone, you can try leaving the house in short intervals to see how well he responds.
If all is fine, you have successfully crate trained your dog.
Not only will you free yourself from constantly worrying about your pet's needs and whereabouts; your dog will have his own haven of peace and safety from the rest of the world.
