Rules Of Crate Training - How To Get Fido To Love His Crate

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Dogs love routine! They seek and require structure and rules. Knowing the rules and having structure leads to a balanced mind, happy disposition, and healthy body. And a balanced dog is an asset to the family. Knowing the rules of crate training can provide the structure for balance for a new puppy, an adult dog from a shelter, or an elderly dog from a rescue organization.

Just like any other kind of training, crate training works best if you follow some basic rules. Many of these are the same as any basic training, but there are some things particular to crates that you want to be aware of. There are in fact five golden rules of crate training you should learn to help make it a more pleasant experience for both you and the dog. The rules of crate training are as follows:

1. Because you want your dog to feel that his crate is a place of safety and comfort, you must never send him there as punishment. Doing so will only make the crate seem like an unpleasant place and your dog won’t want to go there.

2. Crate training can and should be a positive experience for your dog and for you. Introduction to the crate should be gradual and gentle so as not to frighten your dog. Food or toy rewards can help cement a positive impression of the crate.

3. A crate is the dog’s den. The dog will naturally not want to soil it’s den. If it is forced to do it’s business in the crate, it will be a negative experience. Always make sure the dog has had a chance to go outside and take care of the biological necessities before going into the crate.

4. Likewise as soon as you release your dog from the crate he or she should be allowed outside. Doing this can assist with the process of toilet training as it will establish a routine.

5. Never put your dog in the crate if he is stressed, anxious or scared. In fact, going into the crate should be your dogs idea. You want him to feel like it is a safe haven from him to go to, otherwise he won’t want to be in there.

Following these rules of crate training can help you to easily train your dog to love going into his crate. They will insure that he sees the crate as a safe haven and will easily go in there on command any time you want.