As you may already know, the Technique of Crate Training in relation to Dogs and Puppies often assumes that you are dealing with a new Pet, or specifically Puppies. A quick browse of the Internet will prove this and you will soon realize that when it comes to Crate Training an older dog information can be sparse and lacking in detail.
We’re about to change all that, and by following these tips and techniques you will be well on the way to effectively crate train an older Dog and will notice a marked improvement in your beloved Pooch’s behavior around the house, particularly if they are traditionally boisterous around Sleeping or Feeding times.
The other piece of good news is that Crate Training an older Dog can still be achieved irrespective of age, although realistically as with any Training that begins when your Dog has already reached Adolescence or beyond, there are a number of specific Training techniques that you will need to understand and employ in order to make significant progress. You will need to be consistent and disciplined in your efforts to Crate Training an older Dog.
What Exactly Is Crate Training?
A Crate is simply a dedicated place in your Home where your Dog is encouraged to return to on a regular basis. A Cage is too strong a description and a Crate should be thought of as more of a comfortable and welcoming little part of the home that your Pooch can call their own.
A Crate should contain warm, comfortable bedding, some of their favorite Toys, and often their own dedicated Food and Water Bowl. As Crates are used as sleeping quarters for your Dog and sometimes as a place for him or her to eat and drink as well, great care should be taken to keep this environment clean and comfortable for him or her.
The Benefits Of Crate Training An Older Dog
Sometimes older dogs can develop habits that become engrained in their daily behavior, leading to frustration and annoyance for the owners. Begging for scraps at meal times and a refusal to settle down for sleep at night are two of the problem behaviors that Crate Training will effectively cut down.
Over time with repeated guidance, your Dog will retire to their Crate of their own accord. This leads to them sleeping in the same place comfortably and will eliminate scratching, whining and Barking problems associated with wanting to sleep near the family.
Crate Training is one of the key aspects of effective Dog training techniques that you should ideally concentrate on, as early as possible in your Pups life in order to encourage them to develop pleasing behaviors such as eating in the same spot and developing routine sleeping habits.
Crate Training An Older Dog
Puppies respond best to Crate Training and take less time to become accustomed to accepting one than older Dogs will. This is the case with all aspects of Training but whatever you may have heard before – you shouldn’t be convinced that it is ever too late to teach ‘an old dog new tricks.’ With the correct guidance, you can follow the advice on this webpage and enjoy success with any Dog breed irrespective of them being young Pups, Adolescents or Older Dogs.
The First Steps
Initially, your Dog will be somewhat weary of a Crate and especially in Older Dogs may plainly refuse to enter. You can effectively and easily tackle this problem by simply instructing your Dog to sit just inside or in front of the Crate when you are petting and praising him. Place his favorite toys inside the Crate and even a couple of tasty treats. Each time you sense he begins to feel and more confident to enter the Crate, continue to praise and Pet him and before long he will be quite content to enter the Crate of his own accord.
Food Placement and Frequency In Relation To Crate Training
Crate Training an Older Dog requires routine structure and patience. Do not be surprised if it takes an older Dog some days – to some weeks to become fully confident to enter their new Crate. A great way of increasing their comfort level in regards to the Crate is by placing Food just outside, and gradually moving their Food Bowl further inside the Crate by incremental steps each day.
If you do this, and also feed your Dog at the exact same time each day, they will soon become used to this, and habitualize the enjoyable feeling they get from feeding time to entering their Crate to eat their meal.
Location Is Key
Where you actually decide to place your Crate is also especially important in relation to Crate Training an older Dog. If they have been used to sleeping close to family members such as in a Bedroom or a Hallway just outside then the Crate should be placed as close to their regular sleeping position as conveniently possible. This will have the added benefit of continuing their regular sleeping position but over time will lead to a much less restless sleep
Depart Swiftly From The Room At Sleeping Time
If you are working towards encouraging a previously boisterous Dog to remain clam and peaceful towards their bedtime then the best way to assure that they are safe, well rested and well-behaved at night is to get them into a daily routine of entering their Crate at the same time each and every night.
The most effective thing to do here is Pet them and praise them as they enter the Crate and then swiftly leave the room without further ado. The first few times you do this, they may respond by chasing in order to regain your attention. However, this is actually the best thing you can possibly do if you want your Dog to retire comfortably and quietly. This method of praising then withdrawing attention once your Dog has retired to its Crate is one of the most effective ways of Crate Training an older Dog. After a time they will understand that this is a part of their daily routine and will soon become accustomed to it.
Most Importantly – Never Use A Crate As A Form Of Punishment
You want your Dog to feel happy and contented whilst in his Crate. This will lead to controlled behavior at Feeding times (his and yours) and during sleeping hours.
A cardinal mistake that some owners make is to use a Crate as a place to send their Dog when they have been naughty. This is the completely wrong idea!
All that will do is to teach your Dog to associate fear and resentment towards their Crate and at the very least send mixed messages to your Dog.
If you are willing to invest the time needed; Crate training an older Dog can be one of the most beneficial and rewarding aspects of Dog Training and will also substantially improve their comfort and behaviour when travelling in small, confined spaces like Cars.