Have you ever thought about what crate training dogs mean? To me, it sounds like something I would never voluntarily subject my dog to. As I read about it though, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this was actually a training method used for dogs which was based on their innate need for security and protection.
They say dogs and wolves are from the same family, sharing the same behavioral instinct for self-preservation. Dogs may very well have descended from the same line as wolves. This would mean that before they were pets,they lived in the wild. They would use safe dens and lairs to shelter them from all the dangers that abound in open spaces. This is the guiding principle of training dogs to utilize their own crates when they feel threatened or simply stressed out.
Crate training is highly effective in house training dogs wherein you contain them to a place that you can feel safe leaving them in. The puppies in the crate will not be in danger of inflicting harm on them, other people or furniture in the house. You can go on long trips without much difficulty because your dog is tucked happily away in his crate. Remember, crates are his nesting area so there is no need to worry about feeling inhumane towards the dog.
While it may be a great help to many, crate training are not suitable for every pet. There are some dogs that have been abused and cannot be put in a crate without becoming extremely upset. Other animals who are much more of a challenge to train, panic when the doors close in and break the box they’re in. Sometimes, well-meaning owners just cannot stand the thought of live animals inside a coffin like enclosure and reject the idea altogether
Crate training dogs hinges on how the dog owner essentially views the matter. If thinking of your dog in a box makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to push through with this method of training. However, if you believe that this will be advantageous to you and your dog’s personal space; you will find some helpful tips on how to go about doing this in the next paragraph.
You need to put the crate in a room where there will be activities and people. Make sure the enclosure you’ve chosen is a good size and put some of his favorite treats and toys inside it. When you guide your dog in, do not close the door just yet. For a few days just pet him and talk to him reassuringly through the crate. Begin feeding him while he is inside. If you feel he is already quite accustomed to the space, close the door for a few minutes while you are in the room. If the dog reacts violently or cries, wait for him to stop before letting him out. It is a new and often frightening experience for the pet so be patient and do not rush him with this.
For crate training to be successful, never use it as a form of punishment to the dog. This should be a place he seeks out to be safe and calm. If the dog is finally accustomed to being alone in the crate, you can try leaving the house in short intervals and see how he reacts to this. If there is no trouble, then you have a crate trained dog in your hands. Now you have freedom from constantly being anxious of your pet’s situation. More than that, your dog has found a haven of peace and security he can go to to escape from all of life’s stress and busyness.
