Shaping your dog to love his crate - Clicker Training Tutorial

http://www.pamsdogacademy.com
http://ptfordogs.blogspot.com/

The purpose of this video is for the average pet dog owner that may need to use the crate for various reasons. This is not the same exercise as "Crate Games" by Susan Garrett. The whole purpose of this video is to shape a dog to go in his crate, stay in his crate, and learn to love his crate.

There are many things that I listed in the video that the crate can be used for, but I forgot to mention in case of an emergency. When Bandit my Border Collie broken his leg at 6 months old, he was frantic. Poor guy was in pain and scared to death. My husband and I tried to pick Bandit up and he would not let us near him without biting us. I can't blame him, he was injured. So, we went and got his crate and said, "Bandit, go crate" and he limped on in. I closed it up and off to the vet we went. Than god he loved his crate! For the next 8 weeks when Bandit was in a cast, he spent a lot of time in his crate. Again, thank God he loved his crate. So, the crate can be a valuable thing to have as an owner and a great bedroom for your dog.

Here are a few things that I just could not fit into the video.

If your dog has gone through all the steps of getting into the crate and now decides he will see if other behaviors will earn reinforcement, do not reward. I personally would wait and let the dog figure out that the game you are playing involves the crate. The dog can't choose to change the game. However, if you think that the dog has had enough, you can end the "game" of going in the crate and take a break. Come back later and try it again.

If you think that your dog does not understand the game involves the crate, you can go back a few steps to where the dog was maybe looking at the crate or putting one paw in the crate. Set your dog up for success by making it easy for him in order to get his focus or confidence back.

If you think that your dog understands the game, then just wait a little bit and give your dog time to process the situation and think. The light bulb will eventually go off. Hang in there!

If you want to use the crate to build "drive" for agility or other dog sports, I would highly recommend "Crate Games" DVD by Susan Garrett.

For more information here is a link to a nicely written article about dog crates.
http://3lostdogs.com/dog-crates-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

If you have any questions or comments; please feel free to send me a message!

Have a wonderful day! Have fun training your dog!
Pam, Isabelle, & Bandit

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• pams
• dog
• academy
• clicker
• training
• shaping
• crate
• fun
• game
• easy
• positive
• reinforcement
• value
• emergency
• good
• door
• manners
• love
• your

[milkytrashy]

should i leave the crate door open on the first few nights of crate training?

my puppy kept barking when i zip up the door and leave him in there for more than 3minutes. (im using a soft crate). i've tried treats and all, he's doing fine if i give him treats but not when i leave him in.

[pamelamarxsen]

@milkytrashy When you leave him in there at night, where are you? I put my puppies right next to me, close enough that I can put my hand in the crate and pet the pup to let him know I am right there. I think that sometimes people put the dog in another room and then the dog is scared to be in there all alone. In the beginning, I think it is important to make sure the puppy is comfortable and feels secure. You need to build up his confidence & prevent sep. anx. The crate is a great tool!

[efaure2008]

Super!! Oh, but how do I get him to lay down in the cage or is that the next normal progression that is to come in time? He will gladly go in and sit and eat all my rewards for him going in there and being there. Is it something that will just happen next? I've had the hardest time teaching him to lay down. He is a small dog, Jack Russel Terrier, and he can just streach his neck down to the ground if I place the treat on the ground or lure him down to the ground. He simply will not lay down. Tx

[1PigfartsHereICome]

@ty99999returns

Wait, you give your dog electric shocks?

[pamelamarxsen]

@ty99999returns You really should not use electric shock. It is a very cruel way to train your dog. :( Sorry to hear that you do that.

[ty99999returns]

@pamelamarxsen well you see my dog gets an electric shock every time he breaths on my face cuz im shot and it can get on me kinda.

[pamelamarxsen]

@ty99999returns I am sorry, I do not understand the questions and what you mean by "I shot him everytime he breaths" Dogs need to breath, so I am not sure why that bothers you. Please explain. Thanks.

[ty99999returns]

@pamelamarxsen I agree the cage has many uses. I got a question, my dog breaths of me when im holding it or what ever. It really bothers me. i shot him everytime he breaths on me within the two second limit, why doesnt my dog catch on?

[pamelamarxsen]

@ty99999returns The crate is great as a house training tool, good for dogs to like in case they have to travel in one, stay in hotels, if they need to be in one at the vet office, at agility or dog sporting events, and great when working with one dog the other dog can wait his turn in a crate. They are great to use for so many reason. I think I have a lot of information in the video description. :) Also great to teach a dog to be alone to prevent separation anxiety.

[ty99999returns]

SHould you use the create while you sleep so it doesnt do a ruin stuff and pee and poop all over? my dog is trained only when someone is watching it it will ask to go outside. i adopted it.