Pets Information

Dog Crate Training: The Basics


Dog crate training is one of the most effective ways of modifying your pet's elimination habits. If your puppy or new pet has decided that they want to leave puddles or other unsightly messes around your house, then taking a closer look at this method may be in order.

Dog crate training is based around the premises that most dogs will not eliminate where they sleep or rest, provided that they are given options to release elsewhere. Therefore, owners will temporarily confine their pet to a cage of some sorts, in order to change negative behaviors. However, the confinement is only one aspect of dog crate training; the other, more important aspect occurs when the dog is released from it's cage, is brought outside to go to the bathroom, and is instantly praised.

It is important to note that this method is used only to temporarily confine your dog when you are crate training him, or when you are away from your home for shorter periods of time (i.e. going to work). This method is meant to teach your dog bladder control, helping them to learn when and where it is, and is not appropriate to do the deed.

However, dog crate training is not meant as a stopgap measure for a difficult dog; at no point should your dog EVER be locked up for an extended period of time, or the problem will only intensify.

Your pet should, at first, only be confined to his crate when you are within close range (i.e. at home, or going for a walk around the block). Other than when you go to sleep, you should allow your dog to initially take a break from the crate every hour to go to the bathroom. As soon as you open the cage, guide them outside and give them a couple of minutes to take care of themselves. If within five minutes they haven't, gently guide them back to their cage. If your dog, however, does take care of himself outside, IMMEDIATELY provide some sort of positive reinforcement that your dog already associates with being good, such as a toy, treat, affection, long walk or something along those lines.

When starting the dog crate training, make sure to keep a diary of when your dog eats, sleeps and requires a bathroom break. Soon, you'll see patterns to his behavior, and you can slowly stretch out the times to allow him outside of the crate for a break. For instance, if your dog needs a potty break every day when they wake up, and then again during the lunch hour, allow him to run free outside of these times, except for ONE HOUR before that time occurs. Then, put your dog back in the crate so that an accident doesn't happen, and continue positively reinforcing the behavior. Bit by bit you'll be able to stretch this out until after a couple of weeks, you should no longer need the crate at all.

Note however that accidents do happen. If they do, just clean it up, and don't do anything to your dog. Just note the accident, and make sure the next day to put him in his crate an hour before the same corresponding time, and use the same methods again, until the problem is corrected.

(c) 2005 dog-training-info.com. This article may be republished as long as these bylines are included. Kevin Simmons is the webmaster of http://www.dog-training-info.com. Please visit the site for more free dog training articles. Online URL for this article: http://www.dog-training-info.com/dog-crate-training.htm


MORE RESOURCES:

CatChannel.com

We're spending more on medication for pets
Los Angeles Times, CA - 2 hours ago
Yes, we are spending more and more on medication for pets. Newsweek reports: Next month this will change when Slentrol, the first diet drug for dogs, ...
FDA Approves Single-Dose Antibiotic for Cats, Dogs CatChannel.com
all 2 news articles


Riding With Your Pets
Washington Post, United States - 14 hours ago
Dear Heloise: A couple more thoughts on our PETS RIDING WITH US in vehicles. Even an enclosed sport utility vehicle or car can pose certain hazards that we ...


Pet Rescue Is Heroic, And Pets May Know It
Hartford Courant, United States - 9 hours ago
Q: Our entire lives we've rescued pets from shelters. I really believe that at some level these dogs and cats bonded so tightly with our family because they ...


ChattahBox

Pets need special attention to cope with holiday fireworks
Seattle Times, United States - Jul 4, 2008
Pets that are left outside on the Fourth of July are at greater risk of jumping fences, breaking their chains or becoming so agitated they might hurt others ...
Pets often best left at home during summer Oakville Beaver
Keep Pets Safe On Fourth of July TurnTo23.com
Pets and Fireworks WCTV
WTHR - AXcess News
all 45 news articles


NEWS2USE: Life jackets for pets keep them safe on boats
Detroit Free Press, United States - 13 hours ago
A vest is necessary to keep pets safe on boats or houseboats, say Keene and John J. McGovern of Berkeley, flotilla commander. Having a pet on board, ...


Pets' corner: The cost of getting and keeping a pet
Independent, UK - 21 hours ago
By Chamois Rose-Wood I'd like to buy a small pet for my children, but I am daunted by the cost. How can I keep the cost of purchasing and maintaining a pet ...


Second Chance Treasures resale shop in White Rock benefits East ...
Dallas Morning News, TX - 17 hours ago
Since it was established in 2001, Dr. Fling and staff have rescued and placed more than 1250 pets through the East Lake Pet Orphanage. ...


Pets abused in Ontario
Edmonton Sun,  Canada - 11 hours ago
By SUN MEDIA ST. CATHARINES, Ont. -- Niagara humane society investigators are looking into a third gruesome case of animal abuse in a little over a week. ...


Owners can help pets beat the heat
Biloxi Sun Herald,  USA - 15 hours ago
If you own a cat or a dog you should take precautions to help your pet beat the heat this summer. Here, from the Humane Society of the United States, ...
Pet owners scrambling to find pups spooked by fireworks Arizona Daily Star
all 3 news articles


Holiday fun, for pets and their people, too
Bend Bulletin (subscription), OR - 9 hours ago
By Cindy Powers / The Bulletin Daisy, a 3-year-old miniature dachshund, gets a ride in a stroller Friday morning at the annual Fourth of July Pet Parade in ...

Pets - Google News

home | site map
© 2006