Teaching Your Dog to Go Into the Crate on Your Command

Dog Crates - Teaching Your Dog to Go Into the Crate on Your Command
By Susan Benson

The first thing you need to do is show him that the crate is his little "safe haven". Sometimes a dog just needs a place of his own to take a nap when he's tired. Another reason to have your dog go into the crate on your command is when you get unexpected company. He could get stepped on and hurt if he is right under their feet. (not to mention your company could trip over him)

Buy some good nourishing treats to keep on hand for training. I would advise you to break them into very small bites because you'll be using quite a few and treats can be fattening if you give them too many.

Put on his collar and leash and walk him to the crate and have him sit. Now, having one of the treats in your hand, say "get in your crate!" Then toss the treat in the crate and pull his leash forward in the direction of his crate. Note that when he walks into the crate, his leash will automatically release the tension you have on it.

Close the door and say "good dog!" as he is eating his treat. Praise him a lot. Then open the door of the crate and say, "free!" After he is completely out of the crate make sure you praise him again. Repeat this entire exercise four times. On the fifth try, take his leash off, open the crate door and tell him "get in your crate" again and when you toss the treat in there, close the crate door and praise, praise, praise. Now, stop your training for at least 20 minutes and then return your dog back to the same exercise.

When you have done this a few times and start to see that your dog is expecting to hear your command, this is when you start slowing down the treats. Put a treat in the crate just once every 3rd time. Remember, you want your dog to eventually go in on your command without a treat.

Since you have been doing this exercise with him for quite a while, he may just try to run into the crate without you even commanding him once his leash is no long being used. If he does this you MUST tell him "No!" Pull him out of the crate without praise and start the exercise again. Remember, you want your dog to learn this trick so he will go into his crate on your command.

Now it's quite obvious when you are home alone with your dog, he can enter his crate to take a nap without you using a command when you are not in the room or not standing next to it. This exercise is just another "trick" that you are teaching him, so you want him to wait for your command at a "particular time" when needed. He'll get the message and they actually learn this trick quickly. This may sound confusing for our human minds, but your dog will naturally understand. This has been proven over and over again. Your dog is smarter than you think.

You may have a dog that gets motivated by using a toy instead of treats and that would work just as well. Whatever way is used, have patience and use a lot of praise. It's one of those tricks that you will end up loving and it doesn't take a lot of time to teach.

I sincerely hope this article was helpful to you. If you would like more information on any dog needs whether it's natural/organic nutrition, dog training, tuff dog toys, dog gifts, allergy kits, flea control and more, please visit http://www.TailWaggingSolutions.blogspot.com. While you are there you can enjoy reading "Just For Doggie Laughs" and "Putter's Doggie Tips for the Week". Here's to loving your dog.

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