Training a Dog With Crates
Many people don’t realize that dog crates can serve a much greater purpose than simply transporting their dogs around. Training a dog with crates is actually one of the best ways of potty training the dog. The dog will come to know the crate as its place of security at home and wherever the crate goes as long as you are sure to always give your dog pleasurable crate experiences. That means you should not abandon your dog to the crate for long hours without attention or being let out to potty. If you make the crate a prison the dog will resent, and possibly, fear it. Also, make sure the dog has soft, comfortable bedding inside its crate. Giving the dog a place to look out of the crate and see what is going on will keep the dog from getting any claustrophobic tendencies.
Training a Dog With Crates Helps the Dog Cope With Travel
Whenever you take your dog away from home you will be surprised how fearless and calm your dog remains after you have finished training a dog with crates. In fact, those old sources of great fear for dogs, dog kennels and veterinary office crates, will no longer bring about terrorized dogs. Whenever the dog is put in the crates or cages at these locations the dog will get a sense of security. At the same time, the dog will understand when it is let out of these cages that it is for feeding or going potty and will do so very easily. Dogs that aren’t crate trained will not be able to perform these functions on cue and may end up wetting themselves in their cages.
If you take a dog crate with you while you travel your dog will know where to go whenever it feels anxious or wants to sleep. The dog will feel secure even away from home and will remain calm around strangers and other unfamiliar stressors. The dog will also know that whenever you take it out of the crate it needs to go take care of its business in the grass right away.