Housebreaking and Crate Training a Dog
Many, if not most people who are considering getting a dog or puppy have at least heard of the concept of crate training a dog.
Generally this is understood to be a matter of how to potty train a dog, and many people have the mistaken notion that in this process the use of a crate will somehow magically instill in their new pet a desire to take care of business in some location preferred by the owner.
Too few people realize that house training a dog will require a commitment of discipline on their part for at least several weeks that they may be unable or unwilling to sustain.
All too often this leads to an unhappy relationship between the owner and the pet or the dreaded 'we sent him to a farm where he can be happy' fairy tale being told to weeping children.
How to train dogs is not a mystery; it has been happening for millennia.
The primary ingredient is consistency.
If a potential dog owner hasn't the circumstances to provide consistency in the crate training, the prospects of success are slim.
Dogs, to a greater or lesser degree depending upon breed and individual temperament, prefer not to soil their sleeping quarters.
This is the underlying basis for the whole concept of crate training.
However, this preference is not without limits, and a dog left for long hours alone without a viable option will take care of business in his sleeping place and soon enough accommodate himself to that reality.
Thus, it's critical that the dog be given sufficient, if not ample, opportunities to relieve himself on a regular basis.
When he does so, another key principle of dog training can be put into effect, which is to provide positive reinforcement for that behavior.
Some hugs and loves, or even just excited vocal rewards will condition the dog to repeat the desired behavior.
There's a split of opinion about providing food treats for compliance, but it's up to the owner to decide that matter.
Ideally, the person whom the dog will (hopefully) come to regard as the 'leader of the pack' in the household will be able to consistently provide these toilet opportunities for the pet.
As dogs come to realize their place in the household structure, they will naturally choose to engage in behavior of which the leader approves.
Anyone considering dog crate training should arrange to be available consistently and to do his part regularly in the toilet training process.
This may mean arranging to take possession of the new pet at a vacation period, or at least having someone else consistently available to perform the chore.
Taking on a pet that you may have for upwards of twelve years is a bigger choice than many people realize.
Maximize your chances of having the time together be as stress free and happy as possible by committing to doing your part in crate training your puppy.
Generally this is understood to be a matter of how to potty train a dog, and many people have the mistaken notion that in this process the use of a crate will somehow magically instill in their new pet a desire to take care of business in some location preferred by the owner.
Too few people realize that house training a dog will require a commitment of discipline on their part for at least several weeks that they may be unable or unwilling to sustain.
All too often this leads to an unhappy relationship between the owner and the pet or the dreaded 'we sent him to a farm where he can be happy' fairy tale being told to weeping children.
How to train dogs is not a mystery; it has been happening for millennia.
The primary ingredient is consistency.
If a potential dog owner hasn't the circumstances to provide consistency in the crate training, the prospects of success are slim.
Dogs, to a greater or lesser degree depending upon breed and individual temperament, prefer not to soil their sleeping quarters.
This is the underlying basis for the whole concept of crate training.
However, this preference is not without limits, and a dog left for long hours alone without a viable option will take care of business in his sleeping place and soon enough accommodate himself to that reality.
Thus, it's critical that the dog be given sufficient, if not ample, opportunities to relieve himself on a regular basis.
When he does so, another key principle of dog training can be put into effect, which is to provide positive reinforcement for that behavior.
Some hugs and loves, or even just excited vocal rewards will condition the dog to repeat the desired behavior.
There's a split of opinion about providing food treats for compliance, but it's up to the owner to decide that matter.
Ideally, the person whom the dog will (hopefully) come to regard as the 'leader of the pack' in the household will be able to consistently provide these toilet opportunities for the pet.
As dogs come to realize their place in the household structure, they will naturally choose to engage in behavior of which the leader approves.
Anyone considering dog crate training should arrange to be available consistently and to do his part regularly in the toilet training process.
This may mean arranging to take possession of the new pet at a vacation period, or at least having someone else consistently available to perform the chore.
Taking on a pet that you may have for upwards of twelve years is a bigger choice than many people realize.
Maximize your chances of having the time together be as stress free and happy as possible by committing to doing your part in crate training your puppy.
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