3 Crate Training Tips From Your Professional Dog Trainer in Rocklin, CA

Hey folks! 

Frank from Sit Happens here. We are dog trainers serving Rocklin and the grater Placer County in general.

I get a lot of questions regarding crate training. Today I want to go in depth and talk about some truth and myths regarding crate training.

At first, your dog may bark, whine or pace in the crate. This is normal as they are exploring this new environment. If your dog begins to cry, you may need to take a break and come back to it a little later. You can try rewarding your dog with treats, calming words or by providing them with something to occupy their mind like a chew toy.

Crate training can be difficult for pups, but it does not have to be. You can make the crate a positive experience for your pup by gradually introducing them to it. Start by leaving the door of the crate open and encouraging them to explore it by placing treats and toys inside. You can then move to rewarding your pup with treats when they enter the crate and praising them when they stay. As they become more comfortable, leave the door shut and allow them to stay inside for increasing amounts of time. This gradual introduction will help your pup build positive associations with the crate. 

Start by providing your dog with a comfortable, safe space. You can use a hard plastic crate or a soft-sided crate. When you choose one, make sure that it’s not too big or too small. If the crate is too big, your dog won’t feel secure and could have accidents in it. If the crate is too small, your dog won’t fit comfortably in it.

Once your dog is comfortable in the crate for short periods of time, you can move on to longer sessions. Praise them each and every time they enter the crate and reward them after with treats. Eventually you can add a verbal cue to let them know it’s time to go in the crate.

Give your dog lots of encouragement and praise during crate training. Your dog needs to know that this is a positive experience and you are happy with them. Speak to them in a soothing voice, reward them with treats and give them lots of pats when they enter the crate on their own. Proper rewards will help them grow to love and trust their crate.

Choosing the right crate is important when crate training your pup. You want to make sure that the size of the crate is appropriate for your pup and that they can comfortably stand, turn, and move around in it. If you need help selecting a crate, you can consult your professional trainer who can help you find the right size for your pup. 

Another important part of crate training is providing adequate exercise for your dog. If your dog is overly energetic, it will make the crate training process more difficult. Be sure to provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation to help your dog feel relaxed and content. Taking your dog for a brisk walk or playing fetch in the backyard are excellent ways to expend energy and help your crate training along.

Crate training is about teaching your pup that it is a safe space to be in and should never be used as a form of punishment. If you find yourself needing to place your pup in the crate for disciplinary reasons, your pup will learn to associate the crate with punishment and will make it more difficult to train them. Therefore, it's important to avoid using the crate for punishment or timeout. 

Begin with short sessions to get your dog used to the crate. Start by putting treats, toys and a cozy blanket in the crate and leave the door open. Then encourage your dog to go in and explore the crate. This allows them to become familiar and comfortable with the crate, before being asked to stay inside. Start with just a couple of minutes and gradually increase the amount of time.

Crate training is an important part of caring for a dog and it doesn’t have to be a difficult task. By following these tips, you can help your dog have a positive experience with crate training and make it something they look forward to. Good luck!