A Quick Guide to Crate Training
When it comes to a Crate training schedule for a puppy, there are a lot of different ways to go about it. How fast you progress depends on the particular puppy. There is no one glove fits all when it comes to a crate training schedule for a puppy. One thing is for sure, for those who will have inside Rottweilers my grooming page may be of interest to you.
Methods, Some people use shock collars, then there are some that use noise devices, and then there are people who use crates to train their Rottweiler puppy. No matter your preference, as long as your pup is happy, healthy, and trained gradually you should see positive results. One of the more popular ways to train your dog is to crate train. Crate training also helps your dog experience their natural instinct when it comes to being a “den animal”. If done properly, your puppy’s crate should make them feel safe. Like they have their own special place to go when they feel anxious or scared.
When it comes to crate training your dog, patience is the key factor. It is very possible that it may take many days or even several weeks for your dog to fully get used to their crate. The puppy will soon realize that his or her crate is a safe place for them. Some dogs will naturally be curious as to what this large item is, but some of us do not have that kind of luck. Before getting started with crate training, there are a few things to be mindful of.
Is Crate Training Mean?
If you are willing to send your kid to sit in a classroom for hours on end you should have no problem training a puppy. With that said, After doing your research if you decide that crate training is the way to go for you and your pup, you must never use the crate as a form of punishment. This can confuse your dog and they could become scared of their crate which is not the goal. We want our dogs to feel safe and secure in their crate. Using the crate as a form of punishment can also cause anxiety. It is best not to confuse your pup and simply research another method for punishment. Throughout my life we always had luck with noise training devices with our dogs..
Crate training puppy schedule
When creating a Crate training schedule for your puppy. Keep in mind you do not want to leave your dog in their crate for too long. Being locked up all day is fun for no one and your puppy has a lot of energy that he or she needs to burn off. Being locked up for a long period of time can also cause depression and anxiety for your dog. Puppies are still learning how to control their bathroom needs as well and cannot go for a long period of time without using the bathroom. Most people recommend that 3 to 5 hours is the maximum time frame to leave a puppy. This of course is for six months and under. Dogs are also very social creatures, keeping them locked up for long periods of time can make them feel isolated. That is not what you want.
Once you have found the correct size crate for your pup and set it up in a very social heavy area of your home. You can leave it to see if your puppy will automatically take to it. Sometimes you may need to grab some treats or food to gradually approach their crate with. You can leave a small trail of treats leading right up to the crate door. A neat trick is have them lead to the back of the crate. You can even take the door off for your pup so they can come and go freely from their crate as they get used to it.
In my time crate training, I always put a soft blanket in the bottom to make sure it feel more inviting to my dogs. Using a happy tone and not forcing them to enter the crate also helps your dog realize that it is a safe space for them. If food does not work, you could also try their favorite toys!
Crate training during the day
Once you have the initial introduction to the crate down, you can start feeding your pup their regular meals inside of the crate. If you get a confident response to feeding, you should start putting their meals all the way in the back of the crate. Eventually after enough times of successfully feeding them in the back of their crate. You can start closing the door while they eat.
From this point you will gradually start to leave the door closed for longer periods of time. If your puppy starts to whine while they are in their crate you may have pushed them a bit too quickly. Let them out of their crate and shorten the amount of time next go around. If your puppy still whines during the shorter time period, do not let them out of their crate. You don’t want to teach them that whining will get them out every time.
Crate training schedule for a puppy depends on the puppy.
If feeding become successful, start crating them for shorter periods when you are home. Call them over to the crate. Give them a treat, and give a specific command of your choice to enter their crate. When your pup obeys, give them praise and lock them inside. For about 5 to 15 minutes have a seat near your pup’s crate and be silent. Once this period of time has passed, leave the room for the same amount of time; come back and sit for a few more minutes silently, then let your puppy out. You will want to repeat this process multiple times a day for many days. Always increasing the amount of time in the crate. As this process becomes more and more successful, you can begin to create your pup while you are gone from 30 minutes to one hour.
Crate training schedule at night
Lastly, you do not want to make your departures too long when you are leaving your home. It should be short, sweet, and to the point. Upon returning home, do not praise or be too affectionate when your puppy is excited to see you after being let out of their crate. This teaches them control over their energy and emotions. If you still experience troubles with crate training, you can also lock your pup up at night while you sleep. Keep the crate in your bedroom initially and slowly over time move the crate farther away from you at night. Following these simple steps with the right amount of patience and love should have gradual but wonderful results!
Works Cited: Humanesociety, Paws, AKC, Preventievet.