Learning How To Train A Puppy - Part 3 - Puppy Crate Training Continued

Continuing the Crate training process.  Ok we have established how big the crate should be, where to place the crate and the cue words you should use to send your dog to his crate.   Now lets go more in-depth into the crate training process and eliminate any common problems. Step 1  Start gradually, don't just throw your puppy/dog into his new crate. This will make him fear the crate and avoid using it.  A good tip is to leave the crate door open and leave some puppy/dog treats (his favorite treats) inside the crate. Wait for him to go in and praise him loads - but don't shut the door after him yet as he is not quite ready - he is just starting to get the feel and smell of it.  When you get his meal ready - make sure that you put the bowl of food inside the crate and shut the door with your puppy/dog OUTSIDE... At this point your puppy/dog will be getting excited for his meal - wait for the anticipation to grow...  Continue waiting for the anticipation to really grow and then use the CUE words that we chose in Part 2 e.g "go to kennel" or whatever cue word you chose and then open the crate for him so that he can eat his food WITHOUTshutting the door YET  Step 2  Your dog should now be going into his crate on request, however if he is still hesitant then continue step 1 until he is ready. There is no point pushing him too fast as it will only undo all the hard work you have both put in.  Keep using the reward based methods. Hold a dog treat in your hand and show it to your puppy/dog. Use this to lure him into the crate and when he enters reward with the treat and lots and lots of praise. Repeat this method a few times a day.  If he is not following the lure into the crate continue step 1.  When your puppy/dog has started happily going into the crate every-time - start shutting the door for few minutes and then let him out - DO NOT let him out if he starts barking and whining - this will teach him that bad behavior works.  Only let him out when he is behaving.  Gradually increase the amount of time that he stays in the crate - start with a few minutes, then progress to half an hour and then to an hour.  Give him plenty of breaks during the crate training process.  Increase the times that he spends in the crate but vary the routine. You don't want your puppy/dog to only associate the crate with you leaving the House otherwise this will reinforce that the crate is a negative experience.  Step 3  Your puppy/dog should now be happily going into his crate on your cue command - if he is still not going in to the crate on your command then repeat step 2.  Ok so now he should be going into the crate readily and happily - but now you want to stop using a biscuit or a treat as a lure. This is how you do it...  Use the cue word - "go to crate" or whatever you have chosen and point to the crate as if you have some treats in your hand - remember your dog is quite aware there is nothing in your hand because their sense of smell is so powerful - You are not fooling your dog but dogs associate hand signals and verbal commands together - consequently you are only repeating the movement that you have always used. Dogs always learn the art of body language faster than they learn vocal language.  When he has gone into his crate give him lots of praise and a treat. This is teaching your dog that you won't always have a treat on you but he should still follow your commands as he will be rewarded.