Crate Training a Dog - Tips for Training Older Dogs
Crate training a dog can be done at any age.
When you are training an older dog to use a crate the process is similar to training a puppy.
Here are some tips to keep in mind.
Only use positive training techniques so your dog will learn to like entering his crate and spending time in it.
You can place a trail of tiny treats that lead into the crate and let him follow them.
Repeat this game a few times over the course of a couple of days and let him feel comfortable.
And of course, give the behavior a name as soon as he steps inside the crate.
Even simply using the word "crate" will teach him what you mean when you want him to enter his crate on command.
After he has become comfortable with willingly entering the crate, you can give him the command to lie down.
At that point, and present him with a toy that he can safely play with, or longer-lasting treat like a bone or a stuffed toy that he can chew on.
Let him spend some enjoyable time laying comfortably inside of the crate with his reward, and leave the door open for the first few times that you practice this.
When he is comfortable lying in the crate with his reward, try closing the door and stay nearby so that he can still see you.
Leave the door closed for only 5 minutes the first time, then for increasingly longer periods.
You can let him come out of the crate when you open the door, but do not make a big production of praising him for exiting.
You want him to associate rewards with entering and lying down in the crate, not for walking away from it.
Remember to line the bottom of the crate with a comfortable pad, especially if it is constructed of wire rungs that are uncomfortable to stand or lay on.
And make sure you choose a location for the crate that is a comfortable temperature and well ventilated.
Don't place the crate in a draft, directly next to a heating or air conditioning vent, or in a sunny spot that might get too warm during the day.
You don't want to create a painful place that your dog will want to avoid.
Instead you want the crate to be a place he feels safe in.
As long as you make it a positive experience for him, crate training a dog will not take long, and he will seek it out on his own when he wants a quiet time away from family activities.
When you are training an older dog to use a crate the process is similar to training a puppy.
Here are some tips to keep in mind.
Only use positive training techniques so your dog will learn to like entering his crate and spending time in it.
You can place a trail of tiny treats that lead into the crate and let him follow them.
Repeat this game a few times over the course of a couple of days and let him feel comfortable.
And of course, give the behavior a name as soon as he steps inside the crate.
Even simply using the word "crate" will teach him what you mean when you want him to enter his crate on command.
After he has become comfortable with willingly entering the crate, you can give him the command to lie down.
At that point, and present him with a toy that he can safely play with, or longer-lasting treat like a bone or a stuffed toy that he can chew on.
Let him spend some enjoyable time laying comfortably inside of the crate with his reward, and leave the door open for the first few times that you practice this.
When he is comfortable lying in the crate with his reward, try closing the door and stay nearby so that he can still see you.
Leave the door closed for only 5 minutes the first time, then for increasingly longer periods.
You can let him come out of the crate when you open the door, but do not make a big production of praising him for exiting.
You want him to associate rewards with entering and lying down in the crate, not for walking away from it.
Remember to line the bottom of the crate with a comfortable pad, especially if it is constructed of wire rungs that are uncomfortable to stand or lay on.
And make sure you choose a location for the crate that is a comfortable temperature and well ventilated.
Don't place the crate in a draft, directly next to a heating or air conditioning vent, or in a sunny spot that might get too warm during the day.
You don't want to create a painful place that your dog will want to avoid.
Instead you want the crate to be a place he feels safe in.
As long as you make it a positive experience for him, crate training a dog will not take long, and he will seek it out on his own when he wants a quiet time away from family activities.
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