If you’re asking yourself, “How long for a dog to be in a dog crate?” then this is the third installment in the series, and I’m going to go through the main reasons and circumstances where you must use a crate to house train your dog properly. Hopefully it s an article that will make sense and help you understand exactly how to use a dog crate properly and not in a harsh or mean way. It is also a long article, but well worth the time to read to ensure that you use a dog crate correctly, effectively, humanely, and most importantly not in a way that hurts your dog or makes them uncomfortable.
The main reason that most people think about crate training for dogs is because of the misconception that a dog can be trained to be house trained in as little as a couple of days. It is completely untrue, however, dogs are creatures of habit and like routine and crating (like it s avowed to you in the first place!) dogs will always do what they have been taught to do.
Dogs crate training starts with setting up the situation. You need to get them in the crate, I recommend an off-white crate for a fairly safe environment. Get them settled, i.e. make sure their food and water bowl are close by, their toys are in the same spot and their water supply is replenished. Leave a couple of toys in there but make sure they get the primary reward, which by this stage should be a dog treat (not your finger! ).
Once this is set-up, you are now ready to start crating your dog when they have settled down and are happy to lay down. Remember, this is not the time to teach him to go potty outside, this is the time to bond with your dog. If you are crate training for young puppies, it is best to use some positive reinforcement. One such method is to offer them a treat each time they will listen to you call their name while in their crate. This will help your dog understand what you want from them and they will respond.
Some dogs can be crated for longer, as long as they are comfortable in their crates. There are different crating methods and timescales for crate training for dogs. Some will let your dog out in as little as an hour, while others will let them out as long as eight hours. Most dogs will only be crated for an hour or two at most.
How long your dog should stay in his crate depends largely on his breed. The Great Dane is a very active breed and will need to be in his crate for longer periods of time. He will need to empty his bladder during the day and then have his bladder re-hydrated at night before going to bed. Bulldogs are very prone to accidents and will need to have their bladder re-hydrated at least twice a day. Cocker Spaniels tends to have smaller bladder sizes so they may be able to stay in their crates for up to ten hours at a time.
As soon as you bring your new puppy home you will need to introduce him to his new house. Introduce him to his crate by placing a dog biscuit or food in his crate and then taking him out to his new home. Praise your dog when he climbs into his crate to greet you. If your dog has separation anxiety and likes to guard his space, you will want to place something he will feel secure and safe about, like a pet cube.
As soon as he has been successfully introduced to his new home, you can try and close the door for a short amount of time so he can relieve himself and regain his bladder control. Most dogs with separation anxiety or other emotional problems do not like being alone. By removing the barrier between you, the dog will be more likely to calm down and let you know that he has had enough.
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