DogTrainster.Com

Article Source: bharatbhasha.com
Article by: Stefan Hyross

It is a debate that has been going on for decades: to crate or not to crate your dog? That is the question. ‘Crating’ simply means putting your dog in a cage usually while you are away form your home or to calm your pooch. These cages are usually made form plastic or metal cage for a certain period of time during the day or night.

Those in favor of crate training argue that a crate provides a dog with a safe haven, at place to call its own. The dog feels safe in his little home within the home as familiar smells and objects surround him. The dog can retreat to his crate from fearful noises or boisterous children.

Another advantage of crate training is that it can make potty training that much easier. Dogs will usually avoid soiling their ‘den’ and will wait until they are able to go outside to relieve themselves.

For those against the use of crates, their main argument is that locking a dog in a crate goes against a dog’s nature. As pack animal a dog will naturally want to wonder or travel through their territory. Some people are also have an issue with the size of the crate which is usually just large enough for the dog to turn around in. Having a dog in a confined space removes the dog’s ability to explore its environment and soak up stimulating sights and smells.

Another disadvantage, according to the opponents of crate training, is that some puppies may still relieve themselves in the crate and if left unattended this can be an unhealthy environment for them. They argue that crating an animal is not done for the benefit of the dog but for the convenience of the dog owner.

There are always two sides to every story and the debate on crate training in no different with each side presenting their arguments for and against it. If a few general rules of thumb are followed, there is most likely no harm, and most probably some good can come had from the use of crate training. It is widely accepted that keeping a dog in a crate for excessive periods of time can have negative effects for the dog. Dogs need plenty of exercise and being locked up in a small space is preventing them from any exercise while it may force them to “hold it” for much longer than is reasonable. Ideally, a dog should not be crated for more than two hours maximum.

On the down side some dogs have been known to injure themselves, sometimes quite badly, due to anxiety or frustration from being crated. Keep an eye for sharp edges on the crate and it is a good idea to remove the dog’s collar to avoid it becoming a choking hazard if it were to get caught on something.

One of the advantages of crate training is that it makes it easier for dog owners to take their pet on car, train or even plane trips. Pets who are used to a crate will feel comfortable in the familiar-smelling environment in what would normally be a time of stress.

Critics of crating suggest that other than short trips to the store or friend’s house, dogs tend to do better when in familiar territory. So it might be better to leave pets at home. However, if you do decide to take them on that trip, make sure that the crate is well constructed to avoid any accidents.

This debate probably will not be decide anytime soon. Try to determine how your dog feels about the crate. You may want to try leave the crate door open to if they want to go in on their own. It may be better to let your dog decide for itself.

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Amanda Vargas

Now that you have the right size crate, let’s discuss the best way to introduce Fido to his new bedroom. We always want Fido to associate his crate positively. Believe me , it is not an easy task to get a dog of any size or age to go into a crate if they don’t want to. Because of this you will want to use positive reinforcement the quickest and easiest way to do this is to go and get small training biscuits or even those treats that you can tear into small pieces. For my dogs I usually use the “sausage dog food” you can find them in most pet stores.  Not only are these easy to slice and cut into small pieces, but it tends to be more fragrant so my dogs tend to focus more on it amid distractions.

These training tips that I am about to tell you will work with dogs of all age groups and even with cats that you want to get in a travel carrier.

*  If your dog is reluctant to get in the carrier at first, use a command like “go to bed’ or “crate”  THEN toss your treat in the crate and the dog will follow.

* Close the crate’s door behind him, but only leave it closed for a few seconds at first and increasing each time.

* Repeat this often. But never exceed the attention span of your dog. The moment that you realize that your dog has lost all interest in what you are doing it is time for you to move on to another training issue or to stop until the next day.

* Some dog breeds will catch on very quickly due to the nature of the breed. Others will catch on [or not as quickly] due to the dogs personality. The thing to remember is to have patience.  Yes, your dog should obey you, but your dog should also respect you and think of you as the alpha dog. [We will discuss alpha issues at a later date.]

If your dog has not responded to the treats in the first session of training, you must find what your dog is motivated by, whether that is a tennis ball or a stuffed toy. It is what motivates them that will help in the success of their training. But please be aware if your dog is overly stimulated by a tennis ball, that is if it jumps and hops and barks, that may not be the best training tool. Also it is not the best behavior for your dog. Please remember to check back again soon for the next crate training article.

Happy Training!

Article Source: chron.com

A few tips from the Houston SPCA’s step-by-step guide to crate training.

1. Start with the right set-up. Choose a crate that’s just large enough for him to stand up and turn around in, put a soft towel or blanket inside, and place the crate in a room where your family spends a lot of time.

2. Avoid using the crate as a punishment.  The crate should always be associated with something pleasant, such as treats and toys. The last thing you want to do is force your dog inside.

3. Slow down. Training should take place in a series of small steps that can last several days or several weeks, depending on your dog’s age, temperment and past experience.

4. Don’t make your dog spend too much time in his crate. If he’s crated all day while you’re at work and then crated again all night, he’s spending too much time in too small of a space. Other arrangements should be made to accommodate his physical and emotional needs. And, remember that puppies should only be in a crate for only one hour more than they are in months of age.

5. Steel yourself against whining and barking. If you’re convinced that your dog doesn’t need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore him until he stops. Don’t give in, no matter how heartbreaking the sound; otherwise you’ll teach your dog that carrying on will get him exactly what he wants!

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Jeff Millman

I frequently get calls from potential clients that have young puppies. Many people know the importance of using a crate, but don’t use it properly.

The benefits of using a crate are many:

* You can prevent destruction
* You can speed up housetraining
* You can decrease the chances for separation anxiety

So many people use the crate when they are at work, but keep the puppy out of the crate all night when they are home.

This is a mistake.

If your puppy is only in the crate during the day when you are at work, you run the risk of having an older dog that is not used to being away from you. At the worst he could get separation anxiety, or he might just be a frustrated older dog, or frustrated puppy.

What happens if you have a few friends over and your puppy has never been in the crate in the evening, especially with the commotion of guests? If you put your puppy in the crate without without prior practice, he might bark or whine and be a big distraction to you and your guests.

It is important that you are able to get a break from your puppy for real life activities. If your puppy never learns to be in the crate in the evening, you are limiting your ability to lower the inevitable stress associated with having a puppy.

It is also impossible to watch a puppy every moment when you are home. If you don’t use the crate, he might learn to be destructive when you are out of the room. The more bad habits your puppy learns now, the more work for you later to “unteach” those bad habits.

Puppies can be wonderful, fun, cute little furballs that are nothing but fun. But, they can also be (and usually are) a tremendous amount of work. Put yourself and your puppy in a situation where he learns to be  calm and comfortable in the crate at all times during the day. If you spend “quality time” with your puppy when he is out of the crate and train him, exercise him and work with him, he will most likely be tired and sleepy in the crate anyway.

Article Source: examiner.com
Article by: Casey Cavalier

Either while traveling - or for every day life - the dog crate can be a great source of security and comfort for your dog.

There are two popular types of crate, a plastic travel kennel and a collapsable metal crate. You’ll know you have the right size crate if your dog can enter, stand up and turn around. There should not be so much room in the crate that your dog has extra space to sleep at one end or the other. He or she should be comfortable and that’s about it.

Bigger is not better when it comes to selecting a crate, so be sure to follow directions or ask for a store clerk’s assistance.

My dogs can spend 4-6 hours in a crate while I am out of the house. They have spent longer periods of time, but it is important to walk them before and after their stint in the crate. They should also be free to roam for the remainder of the day or evening once they are out of the crate.

I would be hesitant to crate my dogs for 8-hours a day, every day unless they were particularly resiliant and I was dedicated to walking them without fail, in exchange for their time spent confined.

Using a crate while traveling is often a necessity, and beginning the crate training process far in advance of your dog’s first trip is essential. Gradually build your dog’s time spent in the crate and never use a crate as a means of punishment.

Source from: news-journalonline.com

By Jacque Estes

Every pet owner has discovered an overturned kitchen trash can, mess on the carpet or a favorite item chewed up by the family pet.

Our first dog, a wire-haired terrier, was initially a guest at our house. When the owners returned from their vacation, they asked us to keep the dog while they put an advertisement in the newspaper. Their logic was it would be easier on the kids. No surprise, I talked my husband into keeping the dog permanently. He had no reason to say no. The dog had been an excellent pet the two weeks we kept him.

That changed when we returned home one night to discover dirt from a floor plant in the living room strewn across the carpet and my newly upholstered couch. Luckily I had neglected to water the plant and the mess was easily vacuumed away.

Murphy, the golden retriever wasn’t destructive, he just had a game of taking one pillow off the couch and placing it in the middle of the living room floor as soon as we left. It was his rebellion for being left alone.

Shadow took the rebellion up several notches. She was a shoe chewer — mine. The final straw came when she expressed her displeasure about being left by chewing up a Raggedy Ann doll I had as a little girl. Something had to be done. I was going broke replacing shoes (yes I could have put them away!) and the doll — well there wasn’t anything left to save.

It was time for crate training.

Many look at crate training as cruel to the animal, but if the crate is the appropriate size and the training is done correctly, there is nothing cruel about it and most dogs appreciate having their own room.

Crates need to be large enough for the animal to stand up and turn around in. There are two types of crates; airline carriers that are two solid plastic pieces that bolt together and have a grate door and wire “windows” on the sides, and collapsible metal crates. Wire crates are the best for home use because they provide more ventilation.

Crate training does not happen overnight. It is a slow process that allows the dog to get used to the idea that he has a special place. Crates should never be used for punishment. If you shove the dog into the crate every time he flips the trash can the crate will never be associated as a positive thing. The crate should be placed in an area of the house where there is a lot of family activity. Your dog wants to be with you, if you seclude him in a back room he is not going to want to use the crate.

Make the crate comfortable by placing a soft, clean blanket or towel. Place an item of your clothing, a T-shirt you don’t wear or something similar with your scent on it in the cage and possibly a bone or favorite toy. You can also place a few treats inside to encourage your dog to explore the cage. Leave the door open and allow the dog to approach the crate on his own. He might not do this right away, in fact he may wait until you are busy with something else to check it out. One day you will not be able to find him and there he will be curled up in the crate.

It also helps to feed your dog near the crate. This is another way to make the association that the crate is a good place. Once the dog is willing to go into the crate you can gently close the door. Leave him in there a minute or two and watch from an area where he cannot see you. If he becomes upset, calmly walk to the crate, speak softly, telling him what a good dog he is and let him out. Spend a little time petting or playing with him and then go on about your normal routine. You are trying to impress upon him that this a natural thing. Continue encouraging him into the cage by repeating this process several times during the day with food or toys and close the door, slowly increasing the time. The dog should never be pushed or forced into the crate.

Soon he should be able to stay in the crate while you run short errands or at night after the family has gone to bed. Dogs do not like to soil the area where they sleep and it is important not to keep them in the crate too long.

Some animals take right to the crate. Shadow was one of those dogs. She had been abused and was extremely timid when we adopted her and the crate was a very comforting place to her. She is now 12 years old and I have no doubt that if I put the crate up she would settle in immediately.

Another advantage of having an animal that is crate-trained is that when traveling, either on vacation or during an evacuation, you will be able to transport your animal safely.

Source from: examiner.com

By Jeff Millman

Do you want to prevent destruction, prevent separation anxiety, housetrain your puppy faster, train your dog faster and lessen overall frustration? Use a crate!

There are so many statements, misconceptions and questions about crate training that I hear all the time that I wanted to help clear up some of the confusion.

“I feel guilty about using the crate, it looks like doggy jail.”
One of the important strategies for acclimating a puppy to your environment is teaching her to be comfortable with your schedule. If you are able to be with your puppy 24 hours per day and are never going to leave your puppy alone then don’t worry about using a crate. But, this is not realistic. The crate provides a safe, humane place to keep your puppy safe and prevent some of the big issues like separation anxiety and destruction. Learn how to prevent separation anxiety.

“Since I am at work all day, I never use the crate when I am home because I want to be with my puppy.”
Puppies need to learn how to be in the crate in any situation they might be exposed to. What happens if you never teach your puppy to be in the crate when you are home and then have a few guests over for dinner? If your puppy is not comfortable in the crate your only options are to keep her out for the entire time or have a puppy barking and disrupting everyone the entire evening if she isn’t comfortable in the crate or another room. This may not be a problem when puppies are young and sleep a lot, but flash forward to an older puppy that is running around, chewing and getting into mischief when you want to visit with your guests.

As long as you are actively training and exercising your puppy when she is out of the crate, there is a good chance she will be tired and sleeping in the crate when she is in there. All dogs need the appropriate physical and mental exercise and the crate should not be used in lieu of providing your puppy with her needs. Read about how much exercise to give to a dog. A rough rule of thumb for 7-12 week old puppies is to provide 60 minutes of training and exercise after going potty and then using the crate for 2-3 hours. Puppies can generally hold their bladders one hour per month of age, so you can adjust these numbers based on your puppy’s age. If you play and train your puppy for a period after going potty and then use the crate until the next potty break, this ensures that you are using the crate sufficiently. As your puppy gets older, she might be out of the crate for 2 hours and then in the crate for 2-3 hours. Eventually as her bladder gets stronger you can adjust these numbers accordingly. Want to know how to transition a puppy out of a crate? Read how old a puppy should be before he gets run of the house.

“I never use the crate as a punishment; I don’t want my puppy to have a bad association.”
This is a very common statement I hear, and there is no basis to this. A timeout is used to teach a dog that the behavior that she did resulted in her getting taken away from where she wants to be. If you put her in the crate for a timeout, do so for a short period of time immediately following the inappropriate behavior, such as jumping on you, biting, or chewing on furniture. Then, take her out after 5-30 seconds as long as she is calm and then reward her for anything but the offending behavior. If she performs the inappropriate behavior again say, “Timeout” and repeat. As long as you make sure to reward good behavior and use a timeout for inappropriate behavior, she will learn not to do the inappropriate behavior because it doesn’t benefit her. She won’t hate the crate itself, she will not like the fact that she was put in there and taken away from all the fun. That is an important distinction. The only caveat to this rule is that dogs that already have separation anxiety often do not like being in crates and can have a panic attack. These dogs are not good candidates for using this timeout strategy. Learn about timeouts and teaching a dog to stop certain behaviors.

Other Crate Tips

* For housetraining, the crate should be just big enough so your puppy can walk in, stretch and lay down
* Move the crate around your house, if possible, to provide different scenery for your puppy. This will help her get accustomed to being at different houses and being kenneled when you are away.
* Do not take your puppy out of the crate if she is scratching, whining, barking, digging or jumping on the side of the crate. You don’t want your puppy to think these behaviors get rewarded or she might do these behaviors for extended periods of time when alone and possibly acquire separation anxiety.
* Use stuffed Kongs or other stuffed toys to keep your puppy occupied and happy in the crate.
* Be cautious of bones, toys or rawhides that can be choking hazards. I never recommend leaving anything besides Kongs in crates to avoid choking risks.