5 Steps to Effectively Using Crate Training to End Dog Anxiety Behavior

Can you really use crate training to prevent or end dog anxiety behavior? If you have a dog expressing his anxiety with every possible annoying and destructive behavior like chewing the furniture, barking, urinating and whining, then you will benefit from following these steps to train your dog to use a dog-crate as his safe haven.

Successful crating behavior modifications can be accomplished in five pretty simple steps. All you will need is some patience and time. Here’s how to have a successful training experience with your dog:

1. Introduce Your Dog to His Safe Haven:

The first step is to introduce the crate to your dog as a friendly and safe place. Depending on your dog this may be an instant step or it could take weeks. The important thing to remember is that this area has got to remain a positive safe place. Begin by putting the crate in a place the dog enjoys being. Put a blanket in it and leave the door open. Then place some food treats outside of the enclosure and just inside the door and at the back of the crate. Don’t pressure the dog into entering; let him make the first move.

2. Feed Inside the Crate

Next really make a positive association in the dog’s mind between the crate and his favorite thing – food. Place the dog’s food bowl as near to or as far in the crate as you can while still getting him to eat from it. Keep doing this until he is eating at the back of the enclosure. Once he is feeling comfortable, not exhibiting signs of dog anxiety behavior and eating quite happily within it, start closing the door. Just for a second the first time and then progressively longer each time.

3. Leave the Dog Alone

Once the dog is feeling really secure and happy being inside the crate, start teaching him a kennel command that tells him to go into his safe haven. Use the command to ask him to go into the crate and give him a treat when he complies. Now begin the process just like the previous step only while he’s inside his box with the door closed, practice leaving him alone for progressively longer periods of time. As with every stage of the process ensure you keep the dog in a place where he is comfortable, you don’t want to create dog anxiety behavior with the crating process.

4. Leave The House

Once you are absolutely certain the dog is comfortable being crated and left alone begin the process and leave the house. As with the other steps start with short periods and then increase the time you are gone gradually. Be confident and reassuring but unemotional when you come and go.

5. Make Regular Crating Routine

Now that you have established the crate s a safe haven for your dog, use it regularly to maintain that association.

Once you’ve mastered the crating system your dog anxiety behavior problems are history. This is a safe place for your dog to go in times of change, during separations or during noisy celebrations that cause him to be anxious.

You love your dog and you want to help him get over, or even prevent unwanted dog anxiety behavior. No doubt this is a top priority for your family. Find more free tips on treating dog anxiety problems without costly prescription drugs at http://Dog-Anxiety-Treatment.com.

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