How to start crate training your puppy

Starting to crate train a puppy is as simple as feeding them in their crate.

Once your puppy is used to eating in the crate, you can begin leaving your puppy in for short periods of time.

Make sure your puppy has plenty of time to exercise and go potty before putting them in so that you do not add any additional stress or provoke accidents in the crate.

Crate training for older dogs and rescues

If you’re starting with an older dog, the dog may have already learned that barking, whining or acting up in the crate, may provide the dog with opportunity to get out.

It’s important to condition the dog to the crate and to use an approach that teaches the dog to be calm. Using positive reinforcement when the dog is calm and quiet in the crate so that the dog realizes that it is a temporary thing and one that brings reward if they are calm and quiet   

Rescue dog used to panic in crate now is completely calm and relaxed

Take a look at Skyla who panicked in her crate when her owner tried to crate train her at home.

Look at how effortlessly she goes in on command despite the fact that her brother Dexter and I are having a great time & carrying on right in front of her.

She is able to follow commands, go into her crate up upon request and remain in there calmly until we let her out.

She is able to follow commands, go into her, crate upon request and remain in there calmly until we let her out.

Teaching a dog to remain calm and follow direction will always get you much further than any form of physical restraint be it a leash/harness/collar or door of a crate.

Dog training should be about communication with the dog and teaching the dog to think and follow direction.

 And dealing with only the physical aspect of the dog. Ideally, we are communicating with the dog and teaching the dog to think and follow direction.

This creates a favourable outcome and teaches the dog to be calm and focussed as you can see.