What is the fastest way to crate train?

First, place the dog crate in a room with the door of the crate secured open. Do this while your dog is safely in another room so as not to spook them. Put the crate in an area away from direct sunlight and make sure that there is no clutter on the floor that may distract your dog. It’s a good idea to put your dog’s bed or bedding inside the crate to make it more appealing and comfortable for them. Next, let the dog into the room and allow them to investigate on their own terms. If the dog shows interest in the crate, reward them with treats. If the dog goes inside the crate, reward them again but do not shut them in yet as this may upset them. Keep the door fixed open to allow them the option to enter and exit freely. After this initial introduction you can make the crate a more appealing place by placing treats and toys inside or even feeding them their meals in there. Once your dog is happy settling inside the open crate, gently close the door but do not lock it. Repeat this for several days, ensuring they remain relaxed throughout. It’s worth providing a longer lasting chew or a stuffed Kong inside the crate to increase the time it takes them to consume their reward. When your dog is relaxed and happy to use the crate, you can begin to lock the door for short periods of time while you are still in the room. Gradually build up to locking the door and leaving the room for short periods of time, and then eventually the house.

To crate train your dog, start by bringing them in for 10 minutes at a time and work your way up from there. The more the dogs associate the crate with a relaxed mindset, the more they’ll ultimately enjoy hanging out in there. You want to get a crate that’s durable, comfortable, and flexible with whatever training you’re doing. Depending on how big your dog is going to get, buy the right crate for their adult size, then get a divider so you can build the space and grant them more and more space. Reward the dog after they go into the crate, one of the favorite tricks is giving the dog a KONG toy filled with peanut butter that she’s put in the freezer. When they’re hanging out in the crate, they have something that stimulates them, but they have to work down the frozen peanut butter. It gets the dog used to being in the crate for a longer period of time, while also associating it with an enjoyable activity. Prepare yourself for at least six months of crate training, there will be ups and downs since dogs aren’t linear learners, but success will come. Even when it feels like you’re banging your head against a wall, as long as you stay calm and consistent in your methodology, your dog will eventually look for the reward and you’ll have the opportunity to reward them.