5 Steps to Crate Train for Dog Behavior Modification

Crate training a pet is inherent for dog behavior modification …So, you must first appreciate the function of the crate. The purpose of the crate IS NOT for discipline. If you suitably crate train a pet, he will feel it as his “sanctuary” and will be happy to spend time there when required.

1. The first item you want to do when you crate train a pet is set the crate in an area of your home where the family spends a lot of time, such as the living room. Make sure you put a cozy blanket or towel in the crate.

2. Afterward, guide your dog beside the crate and speak to him in a joyful tone of voice. Make sure the door to the crate is accessible. For dog behavior modification, encourage your dog to enter the crate with food snacks near it and right inside the crate (around the door) and lastly all the way inside the crate. Do not strong arm your dog inside the crate. If he doesn’t desire to go…it is okay. Continue to throw treats inside the crate until the dog walks calmly completely in to the crate to get the goodies. If food doesn’t do the job, try using a cherished toy. Utilize your body to close the opening, after your dog goes in the crate.

3. Redo the number 2, in place of blocking the door with your body, close the door to the crate.

4. Provide a delectable chomp toy (by layering it with peanut butter or cream cheese), lead your canine within the crate. While he is in the crate, give him the chomp toy and shut the door. While your canine is enthralled in chewing, move around, periodically going outdoors. Release your canine from the crate once he finishes chewing (or once he gets up if he’s been napping) but only if he is unexcited.

5. Commend your dog once he is in the crate, however don’t commend him as he is exiting out of his crate. This teaches him that being in the crate is pleasing and agreeable, while coming out is neutral. Furthermore, don’t make a huge ado while putting him in or taking him out, thus he will see it as no huge display.

Dog behavior modification originates with you, the loyal pet owner. Crate training is just one stage of thousands to keep your dog happy and healthy.

House Breaking Your Dog

House training is one of the most important parts of training any dog to be a valued part of the family. As with many other aspects of dog training, the best way to house train a dog is to use the dog’s own nature to your benefit. The great thing about dogs, and the thing that can make house training much easier, is that dogs are instinctively very clean animals. Dogs would rather not soil the areas where they sleep and eat. In addition, dogs are very good at developing habits regarding where they like to urinate and defecate. For example, dogs that are used to eliminating on concrete or gravel will prefer to eliminate there rather than on grass or dirt. It is possible to use these natural canine habits when house training your dog.

The first step in house training your dog is to set up your training area. A small, confined space such as a bathroom, or part of a kitchen or garage, works best as a training area. This method of training differs from crate training. Crate training is great for puppies and small dogs, but many larger dogs find a crate too confining.

The owner must spend as much time in the training area as possible. The owner should play with the dog in his training area and let the dog eat and sleep in that area. You need to provide the dog with a special bed in the training area. A large towel or large box will suffice. At first the dog may eliminate in this area, but once the dog uses his own area they will be reluctant to soil the area.

When the dog is used to sleeping in the bed the owner can move it around the house and relocate the bed from room to room. When you are not with your dog; the dog should be confined to the training area.

You must now set up the potty training area. You must give your dog access to this place every time nature calls. Also, the owner must accompany the dog each time until your best friend gets into the habits of eliminating into his toilet area. This will ensure that the dog only uses their established toilet area.

A set feeding schedule makes the house training process a lot easier for both the owner and the dog. Feeding the dog on a regular basis will also create a regular schedule for the dog’s toilet habits. Once you know when your dog is likely to need to eliminate, it will be simple to guide the dog to the established toilet area.

Once the dog has established a toilet area and is using it on a regular basis, it is very important to not confine the dog without access to the toilet area for long periods of time. That is because if the dog is unable to hold it, he or she may be forced to eliminate in the training area. This habit can make house training much more difficult.

After the dog is consistently eliminating in the toilet area and not soiling the training area, it is time to extend that training area to the rest of the home. This process should be done slowly, starting with one room and slowly expanding to the rest of the house. The area should only be extended once you are sure of the dog’s ability to control its bladder and bowels.

You must first expand the dogs training area to a single room. You need to let the dog eat, play and sleep in that room. But, you need to supervise your dog. When it is not possible to supervise the dog you should place the dog back to the original training area. Then when the dog has accepted the area as an extension of the original training area you can then extend this area if needed.

If the house training process is too long you may attempt to speed it up. But, you need to be cautious as it is hard to retrain a dog that has learned bad habits. You can speed up house training of your dog by rewarding the dog every time it goes where it was supposed to go. Also, you should never punish the dog when he makes a mistake. Punishment will only confuse your pet and will result in slowing down the potty training process.