Jenn and the Dogs

Step 11: At a random time, when you dog is not looking, quickly place a treat or two (or a toy if your dog is a picky eater) into the back of the cage. Next, calmly and casually go over to your dog and gently grab your dog’s collar. Say the command (such as “Place” or “Bed” or simply “Crate”, etc.), and briskly walk your dog over and into his crate. Close the door. Praise him. Wait a few minutes. Now let him out.
Tip: Do not say an entire phrase such as “Go to your place/bed/crate/etc.” just yet. We’ll get to that later.

Step 12: Once you’ve let your dog out, go about your way and ignore him for 5-10 minuets, or until your dog starts doing something else. Then repeat step 11.

Step 13: Repeat Steps 11 and 12 several times through out the day. If you normally leave your dog in his crate when you go out, then use Step 11 to put your dog in his crate every time you leave the house, in addition to practicing through out the day when you are home.

Step 14: After your dog has herd the command for going to his crate, and has been sent to his crate immediately after hearing the command, many, many, many times (ideally over the course of two to four weeks) then you can try sending your dog to his crate on cue without having to pull him by the collar.

Start during a time when both you and your dog are in the same room as his crate. Say something like “Spike, go to bed!” or what ever your command is. Stress the command word to make sure your dog hears it. As you say “go to bed!” extend your arm out and point to his crate and then walk over to the crate with your dog. You may have to give your dog a little tug and some encouragement to get him to fallow you and then go into his crate. Once your dog is in his crate, close the door and praise, praise, praise! Then let him out and try it a few more times. Practice sending your dog to his crate from different angles of the room, from behind the couch, etc.

Step 15: Once your dog has mastered going to his crate on command in the room where his crate is located, then you can try sending your dog to his crate on command from another room in the house. Use the same directions as outlined in Step 14 for each room in your house. Practice in one room at a time. Remember to always point in the direction of the crate and walk with your dog. This is to show your dog how to get to his crate from every room/angle of the house. Practice several times a day.

Step 14: Eventually the day will come when you say the command and your dog runs ahead of you and straight into his crate and waits for you to come close the door. This is excellent as it means that your dog knows exactly what to do when you say the command! Now you can begin to wean off the “walking-with-your-dog” part. Continue to point in the direction of his crate and walk far enough to see that you dog does go inside his crate. Eventually all you’ll have to do is say the command and point. Cool huh. Remember to get up every now and then and check to see that your dog is still going into his crate when you tell him to, and not just going to the room where his crate is, or a different room altogether. If this happens, your dog may need a reminder training session.

Now, if you want to get really fancy, you can teach your dog to stay in his crate even when the crate door is open. This trick is very impressive and will always amaze your guest, especially after your dog just went to his crate on his own! This is done a little differently but is usually pretty easy to teach.

First, you will need to pick a command to tell your dog that you want him to stay in his crate. I use “nap” because my old Shetland Sheepdog used to fall asleep and literally take a nap every time. FYI: Don not use the word “stay” as this command has an inertly different meaning in obedience and your dog will get confused when you ask for a sit-stay or down-stay. Second, you will need to pick another command to tell your dog that it is okay for him to leave the crate (also known as a release cue) such as “done” or “finished”. FYI: Do not use the word “okay” because we use that word in daily conversation too often and if you say “okay” during a conversation with guest, your dog may get confused and get up and leave when you didn’t really want him to. Once you have chosen your two command words, fallow the directions below:

Step 1: Put your dogs leash on (you’re going to need it) and send him to his crate. Go over to the crate with your dog and have him lie down inside the crate. Use a treat to lure your dog into the down position if you need to. Once your dog is down, you must keep him down for a full 30 minutes. There may be some protesting from your dog as he is wondering what is going on, why he can’t get up, and why is the door open? But you must not let your dog get up! In fact, you must not allow him to even begin to stand up. Remember the leash? Sit on the leash or hold the leash down so that your dog can not stand up (not even an inch!) even if he tries. It works best if you hold (or sit on) the part of the leash that is closest to your dog’s collar. Do not allow your dog crawl around, roll around, or even get up to scratch himself (honestly, some dogs will pretend they are itchy so you will leave them alone, but again they are just acting and fooling you. Do not fall for it!). It is ok for your dog to shift his weight around as to get comfortable, but that’s it.

It may take a few minuets, but eventually your dog will relax and maybe even fall asleep. You must stay sitting next your dog, holding the leash down, for a full 30 minuets, even if your dog falls asleep. When the 30 minuets is up, say your release cue (All done!) and take your dog outside to use the bathroom and to stretch his legs. Practice Step 1 two or three times a day, but no more or your dog may become restless.

Step 2: After a week or two of practicing Step1, you can add the command “nap” or whichever word you have chosen. Start by sending your dog (on leash still) to his crate (using the “go to your crate” command from before), and have him lie down inside it. Then say the “stay in your crate” command (i.e. “nap”) and hold the leash down so your dog can not get up for full 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, say the release cue (i.e. “all done!”) and take your dog outside for a bathroom break. Practice Step 2 no more then three times a day for a week or two.

Step 3: Repeat Step 2, only this time do not hold on to the leash. Do continue to sit next to your dog just in case he tries to get up so you can quickly correct him. If your dog stays down for the whole 30 minutes even though you’re not holding the leash, then the next time you do this you can try to sit a little further away from your dog. Increase your distance just a tiny bit each time over the course of a week. Continue to sit of the floor each time. If your dog gets up, immediately go over and correct him. Say “no, no” and lie him down in his crate and start over.

Step 4: Assuming your dog is doing well and stays down, you can try sitting on the couch or chair. Start by sending your dog to his crate and then giving him the command to stay in his crate. Slowly back up to the couch or chair and sit down. If your dog starts to get up then immediately go over and correct your dog. Practice Step 4 two to three times a day until you can watch a half hour of T.V. while your dog stays down in his crate the entire time. Remember to always use the release cue after each 30 minute session and take your dog out to use the bathroom and stretch.

Tip: If the phone rings and/or you have to step out of the room and away from your dog at any time, always release your dog with the release cue first and then answer the phone. This type of strict consistency on your part will make it crystal clear to your dog that he is not to get up unless you give him permission.

Eventually you will be able to leave the room for a few seconds and your dog should continue to stay in his crate.

FYI: If you’d rather keep doggy bed in your living room then a crate, then you can use these same instructions to teach your dog to lie down on his doggy bed and stay there when guest come over.

Now your dog should be able to go his crate on command, even from another room, and stay there until you release him even though you didn’t bother to close the door! Bet you want to host a dinner party now… J