Bully Sticks For Dogs

Understanding The Simple Basics Of Crate Training your Dog

Even though many people consider crate training to be cruel, it’s one of the best ways to curb a dog’s unfavorable behavior. In fact, if you’re housetraining a puppy, there is no other method that is more effective than crating him. The problem is that millions of owners misuse the crate. At times, they’ll put their dog in the crate for hours just to move him out of the way. Or worse, they’ll use it as a form of punishment for anything the dog does that they find unacceptable.

Crate training, when done properly, can help your dog develop into a sociable family pet. But, it requires an understanding of how crating works with your dog’s natural instincts. Below, we’ll discuss the basics of crate training and how to apply it for long-lasting, positive results.

A Dog’s Den

Dogs like to den. In other words, they find enclosed spaces that can offer security while they sleep or care for their young. It’s instinctive to them. This is one of the reasons why crates can prove so useful when training your dog. He’ll come to view his crate as his den. It’s a clean, safe place that offers him security. As a result, he’ll refuse to eliminate in his crate. That’s why crating is the most effective way to potty train a puppy or dog. Their denning instinct helps them develop control.

Tips For Proper Crate Training

The first step to crating your dog is to introduce him to the crate. Remember, the crate will be his secure environment. He needs to feel comfortable with it. When you bring it home, set it in a room out in the open and take the door off of the front. During the next few days, your dog can take the time to investigate it.

Some dogs will either act indifferent to the crate or they’ll avoid it. If this happens, you’ll need to be more persuasive. Try placing your dog’s favorite food, treat, or toy inside the crate. You may even need to climb into it to show him that there’s no danger.

After a week, your dog will show a level of comfort. Start giving him meals inside the crate, rewarding him each time he goes inside. Eventually, you’ll need to replace the crate’s door, thereby locking him inside. Your dog may show some resistance, so it will be a gradual process. A lot of trainers recommend closing the door and remaining with your dog until he settles himself. Then, leave the room. If he shows nervousness, return to the crate to reassure him.

Crate training must be done properly to have the desired effect. In most cases, it takes time for dogs to become comfortable and relaxed with their new “den.” Owners who force their dogs inside usually discover that their dogs never gain the level of ownership that’s consistent with their instinct to den. But, if approached in the right way, crating your dog can be one of the best ways to train him.

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How to Teach your Dog to Fetch

Teaching your dog to fetch is one of the oldest tricks for a dog; it is a simple command to your pet and is easily learned but the value of this command has more to do with the building of the bond between you and your dog.

As a basic game, your dog is directly interacting with you and following your commands; the dog loves this as they are animals who need a set hierarchy and always look to their pack leader (i.e. you the owner) for where they stand in the family group and what they should be doing.  Playing this basic game reinforces their instinctive view of how things should work.

There are several methods for teaching Fetch, and the most simple one uses two identical toys that the dog already likes – the toys are exactly the same and must be interesting and enjoyable for the dog to play with.

With your dog on a leash, conceal one of the identical toys and with the other, show it to your dog – then throw it a short way before releasing your dog and saying “Fetch!” or whatever command you are using.

Don’t throw it as far as you can – you are only looking to teach your dog what to do not go play hide and seek plus you’ll probably end up having to retrieve the toy yourself a number of times in the initial stages.

Your dog is probably going to chase after the toy – which is why you want it to be one that the dog already likes – and when your dog has taken hold of the toy, now is the time you produce the hidden.

A dog will probably drop the toy they have chased and return to you with the identical toy you are now offering.

Upon returning to you, place the dog back on the leash and then throw the new toy – once you do this you give the command again – “Fetch!” – as your dog is chasing this new toy, you run and retrieve the toy that has been dropped by your dog in the first instance.

Now repeat this a few times using the “Fetch!” command as you do so.

Your dog will quickly get the idea that “Fetch!” involves retrieving the toy and returning to you but remember that after each retrieval or return to you, you must reward and praise the dog generously; this is positive reinforcement and will quickly imprint on your pet that this is good behaviour to be repeated whenever asked.

If your dog is not turned on by toys, try using food flavorings or rub some bacon grease on the toys which will increase their attractiveness to your dog and keep them interested; if you are using a stuffed toy, remove some of the stuffing and pack it with some favourite food your dog likes – bacon bits work very well for this.

Remember to be patient and gentle and to make this as much fun as possible for both you and your dog – yes this is training but it shouldn’t be a chore.  A key technique for training a dog quickly is to make the activity fun for the dog so that they associate your training with fun and reward.  Following these techniques with your pet will make them more enthusiastic about learning new commands and not just the simple retrieve command.

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