No matter if you have an older dog or a pup, dog crate training is a great training method for your pet. Introducing your canine properly is a key factor to the outcome of your crate training success. No matter how difficult it gets, never force it. You must be patient and take your time. Always go at a pace at which your dog is comfortable. If you rush it, you can get off to a bad start. If that happens, your canine may not ever want to go inside the crate.

First off, make it a comfortable place for your canine to be. Putting it where you plan to keep it permanently helps make it more normal to your pet. If possible, it is ideal to keep it in a location that makes your pet feel like a member of the family. I prefer putting my dog crates in the bedroom, living room, or somewhere like that.

Another great idea is to place your pet’s favorite blanket, bed, and toys to inside the crate. After setting it up, go about life as you normally would, paying little attention to the new addition to your home. This will make your canine more curious about the crate, and likely to explore it on his own.

Having your dog check the crate out on his or her own is a wonderful way to make it comfortable. Never force your canine inside under any circumstances. It is sure to lead to disaster. It is very important that your pet be curious about it. Place a treat inside if you like. That makes nearly every canine curious. Having patience is another important part of the process. Watch your pets behavior around the crate for several days. Once your pet gets used to it just being part of the home, he or she will eventually enter it, especially if his or her nose is following the scent of something good inside. If necessary, you might have to positively coax your pet inside with another treat. Positively is the key here. Another reminder, never force your pet inside the crate. It will only lead to heartache.

Early on, always leave the crate open. Do not lock your pet inside yet. It will give it a comfortable feeling for your pet. Let your canine enter and exit as he or she pleases. This will get things started off in the right direction. Actually, many people find that by starting this way, they are able to leave it open all of the time. Their dogs decide when they need a break and actually retreat to the crate because it is a safe place. Others, like me, have to leave for longer periods of time during the day. If your canine chews, is a puppy, or needs some additional training, then you will want to lock him in during these periods away. Don’t rush to do so. Work with it for a few weeks and make it comfortable before locking your pet inside.

No matter what, NEVER use the crate as a place of punishment! Never send your dog to the crate if he or she has done something wrong. Dogs don’t give each other time outs. Your pet will begin to associate it with a negative emotion from you. Once this happens, getting them to even go near it is extremely difficult. Do it right the first time and save yourself the headache of correcting improperly learned behaviors.