Crate Training 101

After yesterday's post, I came across this excellent article. When my family and I were puppy raisers for Guide Dogs for the Blind, we were required to crate train the puppies, which might be why I have no aversion to crate training these days. Here are some simple tips I've learned along the way that work for brand new puppies, as well as my rescue:

1. Don't underestimate the power of positive reinforcement

Praise your dog, and praise him a lot. I'm in the train of thought, that a dog biscuit/treat never hurt anyone. Sawyer had no idea what a crate was when I first got him, so why should I expect him to be okay with something he had no idea about? I taught him the "Go to your room" command by saying it every time he went into his crate. We would practice with dog biscuits. Every time he was in his crate and quiet, he received verbal praise. Sawyer always associates his room with a positive experience. Today, if I need him to go into his crate (i.e. I'm cleaning the house, or we have company over), I put a chew toy or a treat in there with him so he doesn't feel like he is missing out. And again, never ever use the crate as punishment.

2. Familiarize your dog with the crate

I put Sawyer's room in my living room when I first brought him home. I simply left the door open and didn't force him to enter the crate. I just put it there and acted like it wasn't a big deal. I left some of his toys in it, as well as a comfy crate mat. After leaving it out for a few hours, I called him over to the crate to sniff it, and praised him accordingly. When he went inside, I praised him again. You want to ensure your dog always has a positive experience. Eventually, when I would sit on the couch and watch TV, Sawyer would enter his "room" without any prompting. I would praise him. Slowly, but surely, it became his own little space, which he loves to this day.

3. Leave the dog in the crate for only short increments of time at first

I now this last tip isn't always possible. Many people work, and might need to leave their dog in the crate for longer periods of time. However, it's an easy thing to try on the weekends. When you are first starting out crate training, try only to leave them in there for a short period of time, so they get used to the idea that you will always come let them back out. Here's how: give your dog the "go to your room" command, reward accordingly. Leave the house or go out of the room without causing a scene (i.e. no "poor babies," and no "I feel so guilty for leaving you's"). Come back after a short period of time (I'd recommend half an hour to one hour trips at first), let the dog out and maybe let it out in the backyard for some playtime, or even a walk around the block. Repeat. Eventually, you can begin leaving your dog for longer periods of time!


On another note, I am guilty as charged (hey- Sawyer is supposed to be on a diet):

Photo courtesy

 

3 things you Need to Know About Crate Training Your Dog

It all depends on how you look at it. I've heard the argument for both sides - pro-crate, as well as anti-crate. And I get it. Now before I get into this article, I want you to know exactly where I stand on the topic of the crate. Myself and Sawyer are both very "pro-crate." I mean, how can you deny a dog his own high-rise? In all seriousness, puppydog L.O.V.E.S. his "room."

I'm going to give you three tips about crate training your dog. In case you are in need of some more, here is a great article I read about the ins and outs of crates. But first, the story behind this photo. We were getting ready to move from Austin to Houston, so packing was in full-swing. Sawyer didn't want me to forget him- or his crate, so he decided to position himself exactly where I couldn't forget him :)

Sawyer on his "high-rise"

1. Don't deflect your "crate-hate" to your dog

For all you "crate-haters" out there, you have got to stop thinking of the crate as such a negative thing. Repeat this: It is NOT a torture device. It's there to help by creating a comfortable environment for your dog. The second you feel any sort of negativity toward the crate, your dog is going to pick up on it. When used correctly, the crate can be an excellent way to make your dog feel safe and secure. Sawyer much rather prefers to sleep in the crate (with the door open), than anywhere else in the house. It's a great travel tool as well. When I know I'm going to be spending the night at a new place, I always take the crate with me, and Sawyer recognizes that he is supposed to sleep in his room. It brings a sense of normalcy to an otherwise new situation. Finally, the crate is a great tool to use if you have a ton of company over. Sawyer, for the most part, does very well with company (food stealing is another issue), but if he is overly excited- or there are young children around, which he could potentially knock over, I'll put him in his room for some quiet time, while he calms down. I'll put him in there with a chew toy or a bone, and 15 minutes later, he can be reintroduced to the situation- with a much more calm demeanor. So, please, stop the crate-hate.

2. Make it positive experience 

Sawyer in his "room"

Turn the crate into a positive experience. Personally, I don't like the word "crate." It seems so.... not fun. So, I changed the word "crate," to the word "room." Doesn't that sound so much better? Sawyer would have no idea what I was referring to if I told him to "go to his crate." But when I tell him to "go to his room," he is all about it. Make it a positive experience. I bought him a bed specifically for his room (another HomeGoods purhcase), and it made it that much more comfortable. I also put a couple of his favorite toys in there. When we were first starting out, I would give the command "go to your room," and reward with verbal praise- and a dog biscuit. Once inside his room, I would verbally reward him again, by telling him what a good boy he was being. If any barking were to happen- simply ignore the behavior- reward your dog for being quiet. It takes some time up front, of course, but the benefits you can reap from a crate-trained (or in Sawyer's case- a room-trained) dog, can be endless.

Side note: Other dogs have watched Sawyer's love affair with his room, and have taken his lead, by jumping right on in there with him. It's amazing how they pick up on each others behaviors. 

3. Don't use it as a form of punishment 
 Do NOT use their room as punishment. Never ever put your dog in his room to "lock" him up. The crate is not a jail cell. Remember? It's there to create a comfortable environment for your dog.

Using the dog's room as a form of punishment will only create confusion. The dog will have no idea why you are shoving him in his crate after he just ate the cat's food. Since we want our dogs to love their crates, we don't need to be creating any confusion.  


I'll be back tomorrow with some crate-training tips- i.e. how to get your puppydog to L.O.V.E. his room.

 

Leaving your Dog Home Alone

I've been absent because I've had a pretty hectic work schedule the past 12 days. Luckily, I do have a roommate who also has a dog (a rescue Husky named "Huck") to keep Sawyer company. When I first got Sawyer, I did experience some dog-mom guilt for having to leave him alone while I went to work. Here are some tips I've learned along the way to make the process as easy as possible for owner and dog:

Sawyer and his "roommate" Huck

 1.   Walking and Exercise is not only important for humans, it's equally as important for animals. It helps keep the dog focused, eliminating any anxieties or stress they might feel. I always take Sawyer for a walk in the morning before I go to work, as well as our normal walk in the afternoon (more on dogs and heat a bit later this week). I've found that getting him out, and having him focus his attention on a walk, seems to distract him from the fact that I'll be leaving for work shortly. When dogs have anxious energy pent up from lack of exercise, they can often translate that same anxious energy into bad behavior inside the house while you are gone. Again, our morning walks are relatively short - about 15 minutes, with a longer (1-1.5 mile walk in the afternoon).

2. Have a Special Place for Your Dog: We have wood floors in our house, which is great during the summer, but doesn't translate into the most comfortable space for dogs (who aren't allowed on the furniture). Sawyer has his crate (I need to do a post on crate training in the near future), with his own bed inside his crate. But, I figured I needed to get him his own space for during the day when I am gone. See below:

Sawyer in his bed

 This was a great find from Home Goods, which I found relatively inexpensive ( I think it was about $25-$30). Bonus- it matches my living room furniture!!! They actually have a really great pet section in general. This bed was perfect for Sawyer because he loves things he can curl into. Whenever I leave the house, I make sure to put him in a "down" command into his bed. No problems! Nothing is destroyed or out of place when I get home from work, and he knows he has his own "spot!"

3. Leave for Short Periods of Time and Make it Positive Experience When you Return: When I first started leaving Sawyer at home out of his crate, I would leave for very limited periods of time. I.e. a short trip to the grocery store, a quick walk to the mailbox. Just so he would know that I will return every time. I also wasn't 100% sure that he would leave my house alone, so I didn't want to go far in case my couch needed rescuing. As he began to earn my trust, and as I began to trust him more, I would begin leaving him for long periods of time. And I always made my coming home experience a positive one. Since I work all day, and he and Huck are alone for a good chunk of time, I always try to incorporate a little bit of play time when I get back. That way, he gets my undivided attention while we play, and then we get to go on our walk.

Sawyer and his Kong

Now, I know some of you have written about dogs that have severe separation anxiety, or even dogs that you don't quite feel comfortable leaving with free reign of the home. I'll be back this week to address some of those issues.

For now, Happy Monday! We have a short work-week ahead and will be headed to Belton, TX this weekend to have some fun on the water!
 

Three Things I've Learned From Rescuing

When I rescued Sawyer in January of 2011, I had no idea how it would change my life. Stop right now- if you are considering rescuing, or even getting a puppy. It is a big deal. I think a lot of people get into it without fully grasping the responsibility involved with bringing a dog into your world. (stepping off my pedestal).  That being said, I thought long and hard before finally taking the plunge. I went to several rescue locations and met with several dogs. None of them felt right. None of them were "the one." I also waited until I was done with grad school and used to my full-time work schedule. It was also just me- no husband, and no kids to take care of. I felt it was the right time to adopt! That is when I found Sawyer and the rest is history! Because I did rescue, I'd like to share three things I've learned along the way. 

1.  Give Them a Chance

I will admit, I was a tad bit shell-shocked when I first brought Sawyer home. He was an 80-pound, humping (yep- that's right- a humper- more on that later) maniac. He was a lot of dog. He was smelly (they didn't bathe him before they neutered him) and he had a horrible case of kennel cough. Poor guy. On top of that, no one bothered to teach him any manners. Who could blame him? He didn't know how to walk on a leash and certainly didn't know how to sit, stay or come. It was not an immediate adjustment to my lifestyle. I was used to operating according to my schedule, and not having to worry about anyone else's. That sure changed. I needed to get up early to walk him, take time (a lot of time) to train him properly (on the leash, basic commands, house manners, etc..), get him socialized and get him healthy. I also didn't know his past history with other animals. He didn't seem like an aggressive dog, but these days, you never know.

Slowly, but surely, we both started to trust each other. We settled nicely into our new normal- our new schedule. Three and a half years later, I'm not sure where my uncertainty came from. I could never imagine him not walking properly on a leash. And I can certainly never imagine him being aggressive with another animal or human. What I'm trying to say, is sometimes you have to push through those initial hard times to uncover all those good times- that lie beneath. For those who have a new dog- just push through. It takes time to build that trust and confidence- just like any other relationship! There is light at the end of the tunnel. And as for the humping- sometimes you just have to accept- some things never change :)

2. They Can Get Away With Pretty Much Anything

Sawyer does tons of bad things. He is quite the feisty, master manipulator. He's got that sad-eyes thing down pat. We've played multiple "chase games" with my pairs of favorite running socks around my round (don't ever play the chase game around a round table) table. I can't leave a dish towel out because those are his favorite chew toys (I've had to pull some out of his butt because they get stuck coming back out. Not a proud life moment, folks). Trash cans and shoes are his fave. I take that back- funfetti birthday cakes are his fave. I spend a good majority of my time- chasing this manipulator  dog around the house. He has outsmarted both me and my roommate when it comes to cupcakes sitting out on the counter. I mean, clearly we left those out for him-right? But at the end of the day- who can resist that face?

Growing up, my family and I raised Guide Dogs for the Blind. These puppies require an extremely disciplined regimen- because they are working dogs. While it is encouraged to love on these dogs and form a bond with them, you can't treat them like you might a family pet. There is no allowing them on the couch, no extra treats, no human food.... you get the gist. They are working animals.

When I got Sawyer- clearly all my discipline went out the window. I am the one who needs to be trained. Today, I have an 80-pound lapdog, who thinks he is human.


3. They Are Velcro Dogs

So, I mentioned I have an 80-pound lapdog... Yep, that's my life. I can't shower, use the restroom, get ready for work, or even cook, without my little buddy following me around. I have my velcro dog attached to me about 24/7. He will just look at you with his big, brown eyes and not even care that he's invading your personal space! It's just something you have to get used to :)
  


  

Wag Aware

I wanted to talk to you about some important matters: Rescue Bling. A few months ago, I came across Wag Aware on Instagram (you can follow them @WagAware). 

 

Wag Aware is a dog charm that promotes dog rescue and adoption. What I love most about them: they donate an unprecedented 50% of their profits back to rescue groups and charities. Who can argue with that?

You can read their full story here.
BUY a charm (or two or three) today for only $14.95!!!

Since Sawyer is a rescue and he has brought so my joy into my life- I am in full support of this mission!!!!

 

Shampoo+Conditioner

I've talked about Sawyer's allergies before and I've searched high and low for a good shampoo and conditioner that would work for him. I tried all of the products that contain oatmeal, which soothes the skin. I found several that were "okay," but none that I was 100% happy with.

Sawyer after a recent bath!

We went to a dog expo awhile back and I received a product sample from Kriser's - an all-natural pet store here in Houston. It contained a shampoo, conditioner and hot-spot treatment sample from a company called Mauro. Now, Mauro is a hair salon (for humans) in Beverly Hills (shout-out to my fellow Cali readers), but they also have a line for pets. I decided to try the sample and was hooked just based on the smell.

I was a bit skeptical, because oftentimes, things that smell good- don't necessarily translate well with Sawyer, and cause him a lot of itching. So, I made my way to Kriser's and purchased a bottle of the shampoo. I've been using it on Sawyer ever since. It not only smells incredible (and remember I have and 80+ pound stinky golden with TONS of fur), it lasts for a long time, and contains ingredients that actually soothe Sawyer's itching. Did I mention it smells incredible???

I like it because it contains essential vitamins, along with hemp and argan oils- which help soothe and moisturize your pet's fur.
And I love this- on their website they say: "Extensively tested on humans for the benefit of those who matter most, our beloved pets."

I am a huge lover of Burt's Bees products. Their simple, beeswax lip balm is my go-to product. But, enough about me. I was thrilled to hear they started offering pet product line as well. I stumbled across this conditioner one day in Petsmart, and have been a major fan ever since. The conditioner itself is so light and fluffy and gives Sawyer's coat this beautiful sheen.




You can buy the conditioner HERE. 
or Here.
or Here.

And also, if you haven't visited Kriser's please go there now! They have a great selection of all-natural products, toys, food, etc... They even have my beloved Taste of the Wild!