Crate Training Your Dog?

Whether we want to believe it or not Dogs do not think exactly like people. Let’s think about this.  Dogs are naturally denning animals.  They feel more secure in a den rather than out in the open space, especially when they rest.  In nature, you don’t see any coyotes or wolves just laying out in an open field.  An airline crate (plastic) can take the place of a “den”.  When the dog feels insecure or tired he will usually retreat to his den (crate).

As adult humans, many of us want to think of a crate as a prison yet children love to climb in and play or I have seen them sleep in a crate and the dog has to kick them out.  The dog doesn’t think of it as a prison at all. Parents have to teach their children to respect the dog and when he goes in his crate they are to leave him alone.  We can call it his time out space.  This can help save a child from being bitten (dog’s way of discipline) when the dog has had enough.

The Crate can come in handy for the dog. One example would be, you have a party and a bunch of little children are running around, your dog may not feel comfortable with all the confusion and want a safe, secure place to hide.  The crate would be the perfect place, especially if it has a nice soft bed and a water bucket in it.

Crate training your dog is important for a few reasons.  If you are going to the Vet with a sick dog, the crate (airline approved) can save you a messy car plus the dog feel more secure in his den.  If you have overwhelming guests at your house, the crate is a secure safe place for your dog.  If you are driving your dog anywhere and have an accident, your dog is safer in the crate than riding loose.  A dog can go through the windshield just like a child.  If the dog lives through the accident, he will be scared and will run and likely will be hit by a car.  If he is in the crate during an accident, he has a better chance of survival.

If you crate train your puppy, it will be far easier to house train him.  He won’t want to mess up his bed and will wait for you to take him outside (don’t wait too long).  The crate will save your sanity as far as your furniture, drapes, electrical cords are concerned. He can have toys and a bed and eat and get a drink all in his own little den.  Another benefit is when you are not watching him, you know exactly where he is.

Once your dog is crate trained, you can leave the door open and he will go in and out as he pleases.  If he is missing you will probably find him sleeping in his crate!

Show Dog Training Tips

             If you bought your puppy as a show prospect, there are a few tips you should follow in order for your dog to have a great show dog attitude.

1. Don’t teach your dog to sit for food.  You want your dog to stand in the ring whenever the judge is looking.  If you teach him to sit for food, as soon as you bring the bait out of your pocket, he will sit.
2. Teach your dog to move on a loose lead with his head up. Don’t pull his head up, it is better to have him follow a treat and say up up.  Make sure you give him a few bites while he is moving so he doesn’t think you are lying to him.  Don’t ever let him get food from the ground when on a lead. Always make sure he has his head off the ground when he gets a treat from you.
3. If you can teach him to stand and catch, this is a great tool in the show ring as well as a fun game.  This can be a game you can play that dogs love.  It keeps them happy and alert in the ring.  The dog will look alert in the ring and free stack most every time waiting for you to toss the food.
4. When you teach your puppy to stack, get him used to standing still while you hold his head and place his legs by the elbows and the top of the hocks and then hold his tail.  It doesn’t matter if you place him perfect, he just needs to understand that he should allow you to be in charge. If you do this in front of a mirror, you can see how he looks. Also, when he is standing for the time you want him to, you can tell him he is a good dog.  When you are ready to release him from the stack it is a good idea to use the word OK, throw your hands up and give him his treat and play for a minute, then do it all again.  Using the word OK is a cue that he has done it right and now he can have his treat.  If you use good dog for a release you won’t be able to tell him he is a good dog while you are stacking him or he will move out of the stack.
5. Do not over practice.  Only work in short lessons, maybe 3-4 minutes for puppies.  5-10 minutes for young adults.  Over practice can make the dog board and hate to show. If you go to handling class that lasts an hour, only work for half the class, an hour is too long for any dog.  The dog is usually in the ring for 15 minutes at most these days.
6. Never practice when you are in a bad mood. Always end your sessions on a good note.
7. Socialization is essential for a show dog especially when they are young.  Take him to many places where there is activity and noise.  Ask strangers to give him a treat and touch him.
8. Always keep your dog entertained when you are in the show ring.  Sometimes I bring a variety of treats, chicken, beef, jerky, cheese and a small squeeky. For these items you need to make sure your show clothes have pockets. Don’t stop entertaining your dog to socialize with people, you are in the ring to show your dog.
9. Don’t worry about a puppy doing it perfect in the ring and don’t be nervous. If the puppy acts like an idiot, just make sure he is a happy idiot.  He is a puppy and should be having great fun.  If you put too much pressure on perfection he will decide he doesn’t like to be in the ring. So use lot’s of treats, praise and don’t forget about that squeeky!!