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.

 

Update

I know, I haven't blogged for awhile, but I wanted to say that I'm back! Sawyer and I moved in August to Houston, Texas, and we've been enjoying our time here ever since. I know it's not an excuse, but I'm officially back. I wanted to show you some precious pictures I've taken of my sweet boy since we moved. Pictures can be more fun than words- so I'll just leave it at that!

Sawyer-dog pre-move

Halloween costume

Halloween costume #2

Christmas presents

Crazy-tongue

 

 

 

 

 

 I hope you enjoy these photos- I have many more to share. I'll be back soon to talk about dog parks, seasonal allergies, our big food switch and much more!  A lot has happened these past couple of months!

Meet Sawyer

I'd like to introduce you to Sawyer. He is my 3-year-old golden retriever mix that I adopted from the Williamson County Humane Society in January. Backstory: I grew up raising Guide Dogs for the Blind with my family- an experience that taught me patience, diligence, and most importantly- gave me more respect for people with disabilities. Later, I went off to college in Texas (Baylor- sic 'em bears), and then grad school (UT) so I was too busy to take on a dog of my own. Finally, once I snagged my big-girl job, I decided it was finally time to get my dog.

The question begged: buy from a breeder or adopt? I decided that raising a puppy on my own would not be the most ideal situation for either myself- or the puppy. So, I began narrowing down my options: I knew I loved golden retrievers (I raised one for Guide Dogs for the Blind), I knew I wanted a male (not sure why- for protection?) and I knew I wanted one that was at least 2-3-years-old. Apparently- so did everyone else. 

I began scouring the golden retriever rescue sites. No luck. But, I wasn't in a hurry- I knew the right one would come my way. An animal is the last thing you want to settle on. If it isn't the right fit for your lifestyle and/or family- it isn't the right choice. Introducing a dog into an environment where it would not be the right fit isn't fair to you- or the dog. i.e. I went to a local animal shelter, saw a chocolate lab I loved, took him to the meet and greet room where he proceeded to shred the stuffed pig they gave him in a matter of minutes. I imagined my couch.... or better yet- my shoe collection, and promptly decided he wasn't the right fit.

Thankfully, technology has provided us all with great opportunities to reach people- this rings especially true for animal adoption agencies such as human societies, animal shelters, ASPCA's and the like. I began searching the websites of many local adoption agencies until one day, I stumbled across a picture of a red golden with a huge nose. His name was "Humboldt." It was only Monday, and they closed before I would be able to get off work. I figured that someone would probably adopt him before I could even make it there that weekend. Sure enough, the next day I looked at the same website, and he was gone. I was kind of upset, but figured he had probably gone to a good home. The next day, I searched some of the other local shelter websites, and "Humboldt" had shown up at at a different one. I called on him right away. They said they had just received him. By then, it was Wednesday, and I knew I wouldn't be able to go meet him until Saturday. I checked that website Thursday, and again on Friday. He was still there. I called on my way home from work on Friday, and he was still there. I told them I would be there first thing Saturday morning.

Ryan, my boyfriend, and myself went to look at him on Saturday morning. We went into the big dog section, and he was nowhere to be found. Impossible- since I had called right before they closed on Friday, and we were there right when they opened on Saturday. Then, I looked at the crates they had lining the walls, and realized there were dogs in there. Sure enough, "Humboldt" was in the first one I looked in. He was standing up, dirty, and staring out at us with his huge brown eyes.

We took him to the meet and greet pens, and he was so sweet. More interested in us than anything else. I knew I had to have him. I put a hold on him, and picked him up later that week, and changed his name to Sawyer. The rest is history. Throughout the course of this blog, I'll share with you my stories and tips on getting him acclimated to his new environment, changing his name, training triumphs (and failures), our ongoing battle with hotspots (he has them) and his new life as my dog-son. I'd love to hear your pet adoption stories as well.

Here are his first photos (pics from our meet and greet at the humane society):

Today