Training Tip Tuesday: How to Crate Train a Rescue Puppy by Pauline Gill Giving a rescue puppy a forever home is a wonderful choice for you and for your new pup. Because he comes with a past that may have been stressful, crate training your rescue puppy requires patience, praise, consistency and calm assurance. Items you will need Washable pad Treats Dog dish Dog food Wind-up clock Towel Step 1 Consider the differences of crate training a rescue puppy and training a pup purchased from a breeder. The rescue puppy may have lived his whole life in a crowded crate with no place to potty. He went where he slept. Observe his potty behavior and reaction to his crate. Adjust your training so hes not fearful. Praise him and dont begin house training until he is comfortable in his new den. Step 2 Choose a crate that is appropriately sized for your new pooch. It should be large enough for him to stand, lie down and turn around. If you want the crate to accommodate a growing dog, block off the back so he doesnt use it for a possible potty area. Step 3 Place the crate in the family room or where everyone gathers. Put a washable pad on the crate floor. Step 4 Introduce the crate to your pup. Let him sniff a treat and then toss it into the crate near the opening. Wait for him to eat the treat and then praise him. Toss another treat farther into the crate. When he enters the crate and eats the treat, praise him again. Continue this activity for ten or fifteen-minute intervals two to three times throughout the day. Step 5 Feed your new pooch in his crate. If he is apprehensive, set the dog dish near the crate. Let him eat for a few minutes and slowly push the dish into the crate until he is completely in the crate and eating. This activity may take a few days before he enters the crate and eats. Step 6 Close the door while he eats. Open the door when he finishes his food. Continue with this activity for two to three days. Each time you feed him, lengthen the time he stays in the crate. Step 7 Lead him into the crate for short periods throughout the day. Use a treat to draw his attention to the crate. Close the door and stay in the room for ten minutes. If he is fine, leave the room. Wait 10 minutes and return. Continue lengthening the time. If he cries, wait until he stops before letting him out. Step 8 Use the crate for nighttime sleeping. Move it into your bedroom for a few nights. Wrap a wind-up clock in a towel and place it in the crate. The ticking is comforting and mimics a mothers heartbeat. You may want to add a piece of your clothing so he has your scent. Step 9 Begin the housebreaking process when your pup acclimates to the crate. This may take a few weeks or a few days before he is comfortable. Take him outside every hour. Once he potties, praise him and play with him. This is a good opportunity to strengthen the bond with your new pup.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 10:00:00 +0000
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