Dog crate training is one of the most effective ways of modifying your pet's elimination habits. If your puppy or new pet has decided that they want to leave puddles or other unsightly messes around your house, then taking a closer look at this method may be in order.
Dog crate training is based around the premises that most dogs will not eliminate where they sleep or rest, provided that they are given options to release elsewhere. Therefore, owners will temporarily confine their pet to a cage of some sorts, in order to change negative behaviors. However, the confinement is only one aspect of dog crate training; the other, more important aspect occurs when the dog is released from it's cage, is brought outside to go to the bathroom, and is instantly praised.
It is important to note that this method is used only to temporarily confine your dog when you are crate training him, or when you are away from your home for shorter periods of time (i.e. going to work). This method is meant to teach your dog bladder control, helping them to learn when and where it is, and is not appropriate to do the deed.
However, dog crate training is not meant as a stopgap measure for a difficult dog; at no point should your dog EVER be locked up for an extended period of time, or the problem will only intensify.
Your pet should, at first, only be confined to his crate when you are within close range (i.e. at home, or going for a walk around the block). Other than when you go to sleep, you should allow your dog to initially take a break from the crate every hour to go to the bathroom. As soon as you open the cage, guide them outside and give them a couple of minutes to take care of themselves. If within five minutes they haven't, gently guide them back to their cage. If your dog, however, does take care of himself outside, IMMEDIATELY provide some sort of positive reinforcement that your dog already associates with being good, such as a toy, treat, affection, long walk or something along those lines.
When starting the dog crate training, make sure to keep a diary of when your dog eats, sleeps and requires a bathroom break. Soon, you'll see patterns to his behavior, and you can slowly stretch out the times to allow him outside of the crate for a break. For instance, if your dog needs a potty break every day when they wake up, and then again during the lunch hour, allow him to run free outside of these times, except for ONE HOUR before that time occurs. Then, put your dog back in the crate so that an accident doesn't happen, and continue positively reinforcing the behavior. Bit by bit you'll be able to stretch this out until after a couple of weeks, you should no longer need the crate at all.
Note however that accidents do happen. If they do, just clean it up, and don't do anything to your dog. Just note the accident, and make sure the next day to put him in his crate an hour before the same corresponding time, and use the same methods again, until the problem is corrected.
(c) 2005 dog-training-info.com. This article may be republished as long as these bylines are included. Kevin Simmons is the webmaster of http://www.dog-training-info.com. Please visit the site for more free dog training articles. Online URL for this article: http://www.dog-training-info.com
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareHamsters are soft, furry and small. They make wonderful pets... Read More
Did you know that pets outnumber people in the United... Read More
Okay, so it's not the cleanest or most appealing of... Read More
Our Charlie's dog health was a very important issue to... Read More
What is Canine Infectious Hepatitis?The word hepatitis refers to an... Read More
Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important... Read More
If you decide you want a purebred, make sure it's... Read More
Nobody likes ticks.In fact, when it comes to ticks I... Read More
Over the past 30 years we have learned so much... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More
Talk to the animals?Yes.And what's more, they talk to us!If... Read More
If your kids have been begging you to get a... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
Introducing your puppy to the crate should be an easy... Read More
Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been... Read More
What's the best food for your Goldfish?Goldfish need food that... Read More
Dogs come in many assorted breeds, shapes, and sizes. They... Read More
Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes... Read More
A major part of a horse's diet is hay or... Read More
Some people have horses they don't dare tie. Why? Because... Read More
The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More
Could a horse trainer, born about 154 years ago, teach... Read More
There are many places to find Westie merchandise, but before... Read More
A new puppy is a joyous addition to any home.... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..Does the idea of trimming your dog's nails send chills... Read More
Pilling a cat can be a "nightmarish" experience. Cats don't... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been... Read More
When I had a Toy Poodle, I used a small... Read More
So you have a mature pair of discus fish that... Read More
House rabbits are a perfect pet for many people, regardless... Read More
Which is the noisiest species of all? Nope, not the... Read More
How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More
You may be hearing more talk these days about "Essential... Read More
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
Some people say they are exclusively "cat people," meaning they... Read More
A crate is a valuable and useful training tool. Its... Read More
If you take a quick look at this species they... Read More
Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for... Read More
Well first of all I was always a cat owner,... Read More
Shy dogs are more common than most people think, but... Read More
Your dogs health is important to you. You show her... Read More
Cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters, but that... Read More
1. What is heat?Heat is more properly called the estrous... Read More
Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should... Read More
The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More
The treatment for heartworms is different for cats and dogs.... Read More
If you are considering opening a dog day care, then... Read More
It's beginning to get cooler and as such it is... Read More
Pet |