Jennifer's Crate Training Advice

Crate Training:
- Grab a handful of treats and stand near the crate with Dog.
- Throw one treat inside the crate, near the back and wait for him to go in and get it.
- Repeat this process 20-30 times.
- When Dog is consistently going into the crate when you throw the treat inside, start saying "kennel up" just as you throw the treat inside.
- Increase the amount of time Dog is spending in the crate.
- Throw the treat inside, say "kennel up" and then close the door.
- Feed him a few treats through the closed door for about 5 seconds.
- Open the crate door and let him out.
- Gradually increase the amount of time Dog is spending in the crate with the door closed. Start with 5 seconds, then 10 seconds, then 15 seconds, and so on. Work up to about 60 seconds.
- Feed treats through the door the entire time he is in the crate - not necessarily continuously, but enough to keep him occupied. Progress at his rate, not yours. If he becomes uncomfortable in the crate and starts whining or fussing, you have waited too long.
- When Dog can be in the crate for 60 seconds with no whining or fussing, stuff up a Kong toy with canned food, moistened dog food, yogurt, cottage cheese, or peanut butter. Say "kennel up" and toss a treat inside.
- Place the Kong inside, close the door, and leave your dog with the kong for 1 minute. Let you dog out and take away the Kong. Try again later and gradually increase the time your dog is in the crate.
- Work up to about 15 minutes.

Attention on Human Terms:

Second, it is important to teach Dog that he can't have your attention all the time. Basically, if he knows how to sit, I would ask him to sit before you say hello to him when he is excited. This lets Dog know that there is an appropriate way to get attention from you. You will also need to ignore any rude behaviors he does to get your attention. Simply turn your back, look at the ceiling, or walk away whenever he jumps up on you, whines to get your attention, or barks at you. Don't say a word to him in these circumstances - we want him to learn that those rude behaviors absolutely do not work to get your attention.

Don't Reinforce the Wrong Behavior:

Third, if you are still using the crate at night, make sure two things happen. First, don't let him out of the crate if he is whining or barking. Instead, wait for 15 seconds of quiet and then let him out. Second, when you do let him out of the crate, don't make a big deal about paying attention to him. Try to ignore him and simply let him outside to use the restroom. Wait until he has calmed down and then pay attention to him.

On another note, I have found that some dogs are much more comfortable in an open crate - a wire crate instead of a hard crate.

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Jennifer Schneider, CPDT
Pick of the Litter Dog Training
Seattle/Tacoma Area, Washington
http://www.pickofthelitterdogtraining.com