Puppy Pack - Crate Training

Located in Farmersville,
Texas just 15 miles east of
McKinney, 15 miles west
of Greenville, and 40
miles north of Dallas.

Crate Training

Step 1: The big thing to understand about crate training is that you do not want to force your pup or dog into the crate.
You want your dog to willingly go in the crate on command. With a friend holding your pup's collar you are going to take
the Kong toy and start stuffing it right in front your dog's nose with a little peanut butter and dog food. A Kong toy is a
hollow toy that you can stuff over and over again. You can use any hollow toy but I am a big fan of the Kong toy because
of it's durability. Food is one of the best ways to motivate your puppy. You want to do it close enough to your dog's nose
so that your pup can see what you are doing. Remember, your friend is holding your pup's collar so that your dog is close
but can't get to the toy.

Step 2: Once the Kong toy is stuffed, with your pup watching you, throw the toy into the crate and shut the crate door.
Your friend who is still holding on to your pup should let go of the collar right as you say "In the crate".

Step 3: The stuffed Kong toy is now inside the crate and the door is between your pup and the toy. Your pup will now
start to paw at the door trying to figure out how to get at the Kong toy. You want to hold the crate door shut for a few
minutes while your pup is trying to get in.

Step 4: You are now building desire in your pup to go inside the crate. This is a crucial step to the whole crate training
process. Instead of shoving your pup into the crate, we want to reverse the process and develop a desire in your pup to go
inside the crate.

Step 5: After a few seconds take your hand off the crate door and let your pup go inside the crate to get the toy.

Step 6: Don't shut the door once your pup goes into the crate. Let your pup go in and take the Kong toy out if he wants to.

Step 7: You can also start to feed breakfast and dinner in the crate. When it is meal time put your pup's food bowl in the
back of the crate. Let your pup go into the crate and eat. Don't shut the door while your pup is in there. Once your pup is
finished eating she should be able to walk out of the crate.

Step 8: Now start to repeat the process. Stuff the Kong toy in front of your pup while a friend holds your pup's collar.
Throw the Kong toy in the crate. Say to your pup: "In the crate". Your friend let's go the collar and you hold the crate
door closed for a few seconds. Let your pup paw at the door and then allow your pup to go in and get the Kong.

Step 9: By doing this exercise and feeding your pup in the crate your pup will start to enjoy going into the crate and she
will do it on command. This is one of the best methods for teaching crate training.