Crate training is a stepwise process to help your pet adapt to enclosures, typically cages or kennels. It is tough for pet parents leaving dog in crate while at work, but with proper trainin you can get this happenWhile it is generally introduced to dogs at a young age, it might seem not easy when considering crate training older dogs. As old or adult dogs may be stubborn to learn anything new, it can also be hectic for pet parents to teach them to get into their crate. In general, older dogs tend to be forgetful and take longer to crate train than younger ones. Repetitive and long-term efforts may be needed to train your old dog. Now Let’s get into how to crate train an older dog, explore puppy crate training tips and step by step guide.
Why Kennel Training a Dog is Important?
Wan to know what is dog crate training and why it is essential. There are many reasons why crate training a dog is essential for all ages. Here some of those.
#1 Housetraining
Using crates is an excellent way to house train your canine. It gives your dog a more natural and comfortable arrangement while offering a hard surface. A perfect-sized crate is best to encourage dogs to use their crates more often. A large crate enough for your dog to stand up, lie down, and walk freely can also speed up their learning during house training.
#2 Safety
As dogs are den-dwelling animals, they usually feel safe in closed compartments. Coops can be a good option. It would provide them with a natural environment and offer them a sense of safety. Crate training can ensure their safety inside and outside the home and provide a place to keep their belonging protected.
#3 Personal Space
Cages are a great tool for pet dogs. They can be their escape when your dog needs some personal time. Sometimes, while dogs might seek out some alone time in a quiet and comfortable place, crates can be their private space offering a peaceful environment. Your dog might need some crate-rest to heal and recover even during illness or injuries. Crate training can be helpful in such situations.
#4 Travel Support
Crate training a dog makes it easier to travel, as kennels are safe to transport your pets to different places during long-distance traveling. It also becomes essential to train your dogs to adapt to using kennels and cages on travels and vacations. Traveling with your dog comfortably placed inside a crate keeps them safe and makes traveling more convenient.
#5 Vet Visit
Crate training can make your dog’s visit to a vet or groomer less stressful. Since these specialists are habitual to crating dogs before and after treatment, this ensures a comfortable atmosphere for the dogs throughout their sessions.
#6 Evacuation
Crating is quite helpful for older dogs, and you can train dogs to confine themselves into shelters, cages, or coops during emergency conditions. Crate training can be helpful in difficult situations to keep your dog safe.
Is It Possible To Crate Training an Older Dog?
It might take a long time to crate train an old dog. Whether your pet has lived the entire time without any confinement or enclosure, it can always be trained to adapt to one. However, the key is to remain patient and repetitive in rehearsing with a crate training schedule. One must also remember that adult or older dogs won’t be as quick learners as younger ones. They may take quite some time to absorb all the training you provide to them slowly.
Sometimes, dogs can also be resistant to being crated. This usually happens in the case of those dogs who have never been confined before. As confinement might be frightening for them, it is relatively easier for young pups. Older dogs can also tend to be hesitant or repellent to changing their life-long habits while trying to introduce them to new behavior. This can be a bit challenging, depending on a dog’s personality.
How to Crate Train an Older Dog?
#Step 1: Choosing the Right Crate
Get your pet a durable and comfortable coop. Find the best suited crate for your dog, which can be used for crate training. Dog cages are available in 4 varieties: soft-sided crates, wired crates, furniture crates, and plastic airline crates. However, wired crates are mostly recommended or you can choose open crate for dogs. As canines tend to find comfort in darker places, you can prefer more confined closures.
#Step 2: Choose the Right Crate Size
It is essential that your pooch comfortably fits into the crate you purchase for it. An appropriately sized cage that allows free movement of the dog will be perfect. There is no need to have extra space in the crate, as this would disrupt the image of a den-like closure.
#Step 3: Choose the Right Spot
Placing the kennel at a good spot inside the home is equally important. Usually, the living room is a good place for the dog coop as your dog won’t feel left out when locked up in the crate. However, you can place the crate in your room at night to ensure the pet’s safety.
#Step 4: Preparing Your Dog
If your pet has never been crated before you may get doubt how to crate train a dog? It is better to try building a positive association. Placing your furry friends favourite treat or toy nearby the crate can work as a good start and help establish a positive relationship and get familiar with the coop.
#Step 5: Treat Your Dog
Best way to crate train a puppy is to motivate it to go inside the coop by offering them a meal. Start by feeding them near the crate and gradually placing their food inside it. You can provide dog food to your pet each time it goes inside the crate to encourage using the coop more often.
#Step 6: Practice
Once your dog gets comfortable with the crate, practice this habit frequently for a shorter period. Practicing can make them habitual of using a coop. You can also make their stay inside the crate comfortable by using dog beds or towels. It could make a comfortable environment for many dogs.
#Step 7: Leaving Alone
Analyse your dog’s behaviour when inside their crate while maintaining quite some distance. This would help better understand the dog’s comfort level within the cage. If your dog is comfortable in the crate, try leaving it there for some while and gradually increasing their duration of stay to make them habitual of crating.
Conclusion
The key to crate training your dog is to make it a positive experience. Though taming an old dog might take a long, it will also pay off well in the long run. As crate training, an old dog would require patience, start slow and gradually gain pace once your pet becomes comfortable.