So you have your puppy set up ready and you have a schedule or tether plan in mind. Now what? I start the crate training process at my house before the puppies leave. This makes your life and pup’s life a whole lot easier. I will ask them to ‘kennel up’ and give them a kong toy. It doesn’t take long for them to settle in. However they are now in an unfamiliar area and may be a bit unsure. Help remind them that the crate is a good place to be. It shouldn’t take that long or be that difficult. Below is worse case scenario.
Test
Stuff a Kong toy. Go to the crate with your puppy. Open it and place the kong toy inside while telling the pup to ‘kennel up’. The pup will more than likely walk right in and start in on that yummy Kong toy. BUT this isn’t a perfect world so your pup may not want to go in. If that is the case, proceed to step one.
Step One
Make sure pup is in ‘training mode’ and not occupied with checking out a new environment, people, etc. Open the crate up and take a high value treat. Point in the crate and say “kennel up” or ‘go in’ (choose a command and stick with it) and toss the treat in as he watches. When he goes for the treat give your marker work (a clicker, ‘yes!’, ‘good!’- choose your marker word and stick with it) and give another reward. Immediately toss a treat on the floor out side of the crate and say ‘Out’ or a release word like ‘OK’. Pup will come out for his treat. Praise him.
Pup won’t go in crate.
He might not have seen your treat. Show him. If he is not showing signs of panic, just pick him up and show him.
Still won’t go in crate or is fearful.
Place the treat as close to the crate as he will go. Place another immediately a bit closer until you eventually end up in the crate. While pup is in the crate hand him another reward, then another, then another. Then continue with the tossing the treat outside the crate and say “out”...
Step Two
It won’t take long for pup to get the idea. Then test your command. Point into the crate and give your command word ‘kennel up’ but don’t toss a treat this time. When he goes in, then give him a treat and praise. Make him wait a bit longer each time. Don’t close the door yet; that will be the next step.
Pup didn’t go in the crate
Repeat step one again a few more times then try again.
Step Three
Point in the crate and tell you pup to kennel up. Give reward and praise. Immediately shut the door. Wait 1 second then open it and tell pup to come out. Praise your pup for coming out, but no more treats. His reward is coming out.
Step Four
Extend the time the door is closed. Do this slowly. The first few minutes will be the most challenging – as you do not want the pup to whine. We do not want the puppy thinking he will get out just because he is whining. This will be a good time to give the pup his stuffed Kong toys and walk away. As long as pup has something to keep him mentally stimulated, he should be fine.
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