Giving Crate Training To Your Pet
Crate training can be very difficult as the first feeling of the pet towards it will be loathsome. One of the reasons is that the animal’s movement becomes very restricted. Pets which are kept in a crate, will also find it difficult as the size will be even more limited when compared to the cage. Things will be even more complicated for pets which are habituated to roam freely in the home and as well as outside, like in a back yard.
In this case, experts suggest classical conditioning. This approach consists of counter-conditioning and desensitizing. The dog must be made familiar with the environment within the crate. This is known as desensitization. And to alter the pet’s negative attitude to a positive one is known as counter-conditioning.
A very simple method is to place the crate in or near the pet’s living quarters. At meal time, the food must be placed inside the crate, so that the pet will go inside the crate to eat the food. If the pet seems hesitant, the door of the crate can be left open with the food placed inside the crate. There are chances that the animal will go inside and eat it after some time. And if the pet doesn’t eat food even after many hours, the owner must remove the food from the crate and feed the pet near the crate. Gradually the distance between the crate and the food must be decreased, finally till the pet starts eating the food inside the crate. Also when the animal starts entering the crate willingly, the care taker must try to use a cue word when he places the food inside the crate. Words such as “crate”, “food” or “come in” can be used while opening the door of the crate to place the food inside.
The pet can get scared that the owner might lock him up if it enters the crate. If this is the case, the owner, after placing the food within the crate, should leave that area and go far away. This way the pet will feel safer and comfortable to approach the crate. Once the pet gets habituated to eat within the crate, the owner must try to come closer at least by a foot every week, till he can stand near the crate.
After the pet gets adjusted to all these, the next big step is to shut the door of the crate, not altogether but for just a short period of time. Once the animal gets familiar with this, place only small quantity of food inside the crate and make him enter the crate in the presence of the owner. After it enters the crate, the door must be locked with the pet inside. When the pet finishes the food which was placed inside the crate, the rest of the food must be fed through the crate bars. The pet will not only feel comfortable about entering the crate but also being locked within it. In the beginning the food must be fed immediately through the bars, at once. Then the food should be divided and time gap should be given in between each feeding session. The gap should be at least of five minutes or even more.
The pet can sometimes but very rare have a grudge against the material or size of the crate. In such cases, the crate must simply be replaced with the choice of the pet. Once the pet gets trained with food, it can also be provided with toys inside the crate. The owner can use a toy to lead the pet near and then inside the crate.
Crate Training For The Puppy
Puppies generally need enclosed small places to feel secure. Crating works because the pup feels safe in his own private place. Some think that crating is like placing the pup in jail. In this instance, you should never use the crate to administer punishment. Make sure the size of the crate is comparable to the dog. It is fine to get a larger crate if the dog will grow into it. Use a partition board to keep the crate smaller until the pup grows. Make sure the animal has enough room to lie down, turn around, and stand up comfortably. Introduce him to the crate first. Let him explore around it. He may go in or just sniff around it at first. He will slowly become at ease with the structure. Begin by placing the pup in the crate for 20 minutes at a time. If he starts to whine, you should ignore it. Placing a cover over top of the cage also helps. It makes the crate seem more confined. You can also put a toy or blanket inside with him. After twenty minutes, take him out of the crate and then straight outside to potty. Praise him if he does. Take him back inside afterward, and play with him for about half an hour. Then place him back in the crate again. If he doesn’t go in, throw a treat inside. Praise when he enters and close the door. Try another twenty minutes. Puppies can be confined for one hour for each month old they are plus one hour. If your puppy is four months old, he should be ale to build up to five hours. Never leave puppies in the crate for longer than eight hours. They need to be let out at regular intervals to exercise and potty. Following a schedule is the best way for a new puppy. He will come to learn what is expected and comply with minimal fuss.
Crate Training Your Golden
A lot of people normally have the wrong conception when it comes to crates. This conception leads people to believe that crates are a punishment for dogs, and therefore they won’t use them. Much to the contrary, crates are actually one of the safest places you can put your Golden Retriever, which also gratifies his natural instincts to situate himself within a den.
If you have a crate and leave it open, your Golden will start to go to it when he gets sleepy or when he gets confused. Although Golden’s tend to like crates, you shouldn’t overuse one by allowing him to spend hours at a time inside of one. While you should be training him to get used to the crate, you should never allow him out if he is barking. Once your Golden starts to appreciate the crate, you can leave him in it for a few hours here and there – such as when you are away from home.
When you get your puppy and bring him home for the first time, you should already your crate there and situated where you want it to be. You should set the crate up in a central area, but never in areas that have a lot of traffic. Most people who use crates tend to leave them in the kitchen near a door, so the Golden can go outside whenever he needs to relieve himself.
Once you bring the puppy home, you should put him inside the house and allow him to start searching for the crate. Leave the door to the crate open, and the Golden puppy should start to wander in and out of it. You can also put a toy or dog treat inside the crate, to give your puppy extra incentive to enter. Once he goes inside praise him, and let him know that he is doing the right thing.
If your Golden Retriever stays in the crate on his own, praise him for it. Once your puppy starts getting in the habit of going into the crate on his own, you should place a new toy or treat inside for him to play with. After a while, you can close the door and see how he reacts. If he starts to whine, you can talk to him and put your fingers through the door, although you should never immediately take him out – instead wait for him to settle down.
Even though it may take some time, crate training is great for your Golden. You can use the crate when you need to leave, when you have family over, or for when your Golden has a medical condition such as diarrhea. If you use a bit of patience and never use the crate for punishment – your Golden Retriever puppy should catch on to the crate pretty quick.
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