Crate train a dog?

[flowermg427]

How can I crate train my dog. He is two years old. What would be the quickest way to train him?

[Shadow's Melon]

Do trial runs in the crate when you are home. When the dog yelps to come out, you bring him out, grab the scruff on the sides of the neck (using both hands, one on each side), stradle him and lift his front paws off the ground. Then return him immediately to the crate. Each time he "demands" to come out, by barking and excessive whining, repeat the process. Stradling asserts you as dominant. Taking him out in this fashion, when he is demanding to come out, teaches him that demanding to come out brings on an unpleasurable experience that he won't want to repeat. It will take some time, but this method worked excellent for a puppy in my obedience class. 3-5 times of this, and she was no longer demanding to come out and sat calmly in her crate. Once you acheive this, you'll be ready to impliment time out of the house during crating time.

[motomouth_1965]

The easiest way I have found to train older dogs is to have special things in the kennel that they only get when they are there. With one of my dogs it was a stuffed puppy that made all kinds of different noises. With another it was a kong chew toy. Whatever your dog likes, find a special one to keep ONLY in his kennel. Use that toy to lure your dog into the kennel and keep him occupied while he is there. My mother used hot dogs to lure her lab into the kennel, but it worked.

Start with short kennel times, 30 minutes or so. This helps them realize that you are not leaving him forever and that it is NOT a punishment. Make him feel like it's a treat to be in his kennel. Then slowly increase the time that you leave him in there. You'll want to put something in the kennel (a towel or tshirt) that smells like you. This will also help him feel more comfortable. I also keep a relaxation cd playing while my dogs are kenneled. My boyfriend laughs about it, but it really helps keep them calmer.

The most important thing is that you take charge. Never force your dog into the kennel, but never let him get away with not going in either. It's a fight that if you lose, you'll have twice the fight getting him in the next time.

Best of luck!! You'll never regret this training.

[cgminime]

Put him in the crate for 3-5 minutes at a time when you are at home. Then leave him in there for longer periods of time. Remember to put a chew or favorite toy or rug in there. If he has separation anxiety, put one of your worn TShirts in there with him. My dog had never SEEN a crate before we got him and he suffered severe anxiety at the crate. We tried this method. When we put him in overnight, he made a lot of noise and whining. We put him in the garage overnight for a couple of weeks until he got used to the idea. Now he loves it. We say "kennel" and he goes inside and stays with the door open. . . . it may take time. Be Patient and kind, but don't be a pushover. . . .remember what Cesare Milan says: dogs live in the moment.

[<dumfarmer54>]

crate him when you leave and when you sleep at night the hardest thing is to not let him out when he cries at night it is hard but after a few nights he'll get the picture and relize that its time to go to bed and soon will go in with no problems I have two puppies that ive just finished they now go in the crate when there done for the day and go to sleep sometimes before i do