Crate Training?

To simply put it, it is a process of allowing your dog to associate a crate or a cage as a safe location, somewhere he can call his home. Just as we humans need a house for us to live in, dogs are no different.

Why on earth would I Crate Train my Dog?!

Let's face it, not all the time we'd be there for our dogs. Whether be it for personal reasons such as outdoor get together with relatives, or simply just to go to work, there would inevitably be a time where your dog will be alone at your house. This is where the big choice comes for Dog owners, what do you do to your Dog when you're not around?

Letting an untrained Dog wander around the house will spell disaster for both the dog, and the owner himself, and I can tell that you can picture out the scenarios I'm depicting here. This is where Crate Training comes very handy as it solves the problem in the most convenient way possible for both of you.

Alright, I'm hooked. Teach me the method!

The method is very simple, and no additional knowledge about Dog Training needed whatsoever. It will let your Dog be comfortable in his own safe place, and as time pass, will let him accept your lifestyle and the fact that you won't be at his side all of the time.

This method relies on a few key elements that make it work flawlessly. That being said, it is not advisable that one tries to skip steps to see fast result. I can tell you that the process is more important than the actual result itself, because it is in the process that your dog learns the valuable tools he need that he can use throughout his lifetime.

Now, let's go to the actual 3 Step-method itself.

1. As you approach your dog, tell him "it's happy crate time!"(or any expression that he can associate with going into the crate that you prefer), then place him inside the crate with a treat, or with any reward you like. Let him stay there for about 3 minutes while you go do other things, it is important to note though that you must be in the same room where your dog can see you. After which, release and praise him happily. You should never release him though if he's acting all nervous, wait until he calms down before you release him. Repeat this step several times a day.

2. On the next few days, do the same thing. Though this time, lengthen the duration of his stay in his home. For every day of his stay, the longer the interval should be. When you see that your dog can stay on his home for long durations, you can now move to the next step.

3. Do Steps 1 and 2 but this time, you're out of the room where your dog can't see you.

Some key elements that you may notice it that it's redundant yet very consistent; it integrates positive reinforcement for the dog being in the crate, your presence as your dog is in the crate, and most importantly, your control over your dog.

My Dog won't go out of the crate because of this!

I doubt that! But there you go, you're dog is now fully and effectively Crate-Trained in just 3 simple steps. You can now trust your dog that he'll behave while your away, while at the same time he's happy and secured that he's home. I can guarantee that you will now be living a more harmonious life together with your dog that is both fulfilling and rewarding!