Crate training isn’t just about staying quiet, it’s about teaching self-control. When you manage arousal before releasing your dog, you build calmer exits, better focus, and a more cooperative partner.
A prevailing complaint from dog owners is over their dog’s behavior when released from its crate to freedom. Crate training your dog effectively should be the easy part.
Interestingly enough, a major concern at every seminar I have either attended or conducted, is the owner’s inability to identify and control exactly when that arousal starts. Arousal starts the moment your dog recognizes a pattern that indicates some form of gratification. Freedom becomes a powerful motivator to a confined dog. Dogs in confinement want nothing more than to be released from it.
Control should start with managing that arousal before ever allowing your dog to leave that place of confinement.
The ‘basics’ come in only one form; help your dog identify how to remain calm, even in the face of compelling distractions. Even prey.
By not accidentally reinforcing for arousal behavior (releasing the dog while it is in a heightened state of excitement, or constantly trying to engage the dog in meaningless activity), you can teach the dog self control.
Working dogs require a considerable amount of focus and stamina to go after the bird, the bad guy, rounding up and driving the livestock, finding the contraband, etc. It simply wont do if the dog has already maxed out its energy in anticipation of those things or worrying about access to those things.
In the companion dog stratisphere, folks don’t want that over-the-top arousal. They want calm, relaxed behavior in the home, and while out on walks in the neighborhood.
Although the tasks are contradictory to the average pet home, the goals are the same; focus, cooperation, obedience.
There is no additional cost to going slow and helping the dog achieve what it was going to get, anyway. Just by slowing down the process and marking performance with quicker access to the thing the dog desires makes the majik happen so much faster.
It’s simple. When the dog demands exit, it remains confined. Settle faster, experience freedom faster.
I am not a fan of explosive exits. We experience a lot of dogs that have separation anxiety and 100% of it is owner facilitated.
Crate training is more than how to stop puppy barking while in the crate, it also includes being willing to enter, and polite on exit. The way a dog behaves while in the crate is a great indicator of how he will exit, when given the opportunity.
Start early, practice often, and stay as long as it takes.
Provide options.
Guide choices.
Control outcomes.
Reap the benefits of crate training now, before your dog is 130 pounds and blows through the crate door on his way to knocking over your 90 year old grandma.
If you struggle with your dog’s over-abundance of energy, we can help. We offer private training and virtual coaching. I am happy to provide additional information.
Starting with a new puppy? Our puppy training program covers crate training, housebreaking, and early foundation skills.
