Essential Steps to Crate Training Your Dog
Posted on December 19, 2019 by paigepesko
A lot of dog owners get anxious when they hear the words crate training. They assume their pups will be miserable all day if they’re stuck in a crate. However, that’s not the case at all. If dog owners follow the proper steps, there’s no reason dogs won’t be comfortable in their crates. A crate should be your furry friend’s home away from home.
Make the Crate Comfy
The first step to crate training your dog is to make it a desirable place they want to go. If you only put your dog in their crate when they’re bad, of course, they’re not going to want to spend time there. Instead, reassure them when it’s time to go in their crate—tell them they’re a good pup and leave a treat. Also, make their space as comfy as possible. Put a luxurious dog bed in there, so they’re extra cozy. The more comfortable they are, the more likely it is they’ll want to spend time inside.
Train Them in Increments
A crucial step to crate training your dog is to do it in increments. Don’t start things off by leaving your pup in their crate for a long time. Instead, teach them in steps. One day, leave them in their crate for an hour. The next day, increase it by another hour. Soon, your furry friend will be able to stay in their crate the entire time you’re at work. The trick is not to overwhelm them all at once by leaving them in there for 8+ hours on the first day.
Chew-Proof the Crate
It’s more than likely your pup will feel overwhelmed when you begin crate training them. It’s your job as their owner to prepare for their anxiety. Your dog’s crate should be as chew-proof as possible before you begin crate training. The expert team at Gorilla Dog Beds® will help you select the perfect indestructible dog crate pad that’ll keep your furry friend comfortable, but ensure it’s one they can’t destroy. You can also prepare for this by leaving indestructible toys inside the crate as well.
Crate training your dog isn’t a bad thing—you aren’t punishing your pup by crate training them. In fact, you’re doing Fido a favor by crate training them. Crate training makes it easier to transport your pup and evacuate safely in case of emergencies. It’s also nice that your dog will have a space of their own. If you follow these steps to crate training your dog, there’s no reason you won’t be successful.