Crate training should start immediately after a dog adoption in San Diego. The longer you wait the more mess you will have to deal with. But how do you go about this? In this article, we shall be taking a quick look at the steps you need to take when training your dog to use a crate.
Get the set up right
You need to select a crate with care. After a puppy adoption, you need to invest in a crate that is big enough for your puppy to stand up in and also lie down with his legs outstretched. It is better to purchase a larger crate and use a partition to get the size that you want. If you give the puppy too much room, he will not be able to learn how to hold his bladder.
The second thing you need to do is to place the crate in a quiet corner. This location must also be a place where you can see what is going on. For fast results in crate training, you must make the crate as comfy as possible. You can add some toys and a soft bed.
Offer treats
For your puppy to use the crate, you need to make him think that good things will always happen in the crate. The best way of doing this is to hide treats inside the crate. You also need to place great toys in the crate and also feed the puppy inside the crate. By so doing, your puppy will link good things to the crate.
Reward calm behavior
The crate is not just for the puppies. The right size of crate can accommodate just any dog. Even after an adult dog rescue in San Diego, you need to get ready for crate training. It takes time to train both a puppy and an adult dog to use the crate. To take care of the bad reactions, you need to reward good behavior. Start by feeding him in the crate and close the door briefly. Praise their calmness then open the door. You should gradually extend the length of the time you close the door. Only open the door when the dog is calm. Doing so will reward their good behavior.
Leave the room
Last but not least, you need to practice leaving the room while your dog is in the crate. Close the door and leave for a couple of seconds. Return when he is quiet and let him out of the crate and offer praise. The important rule to remember even before you proceed with a puppy rescue is that returning to the room or opening the door when the dog is crying will only reward the bad behavior. You tell him that crying helps him get what he wants.