6 Essential Tips For Crate Training

 6 Essential Tips For Crate Training

 Crate training is an effective way to potty train your dog while also providing a safe and comfortable space for her to retreat to. However, many dog parents find crate training to be a daunting task. In this blog post, I will provide you with some tips to make crate training a successful and positive experience for both you and your dog.

  1. Choose the Right Crate

The first step to successful crate training is choosing the right crate. The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. However, it should not be too big that your dog can use one end as a bathroom and the other as a sleeping area. Plastic, wire, and mesh crates are all good options.

2. Make the Crate a Good and Calm Place

Your dog needs to associate the crate with good and calm experiences. Start by placing treats and toys inside the crate to encourage your dog to go in. Also, place the crate in a quiet and comfortable area of your home where your dog can feel safe and secure. Use oily stinky treat crumbs and place them or hide them at the end of the crate. That way your dog will gravitate into the crate and will spend sometime inside trying to find them. Also the scent and using  their nose will make your dog more relax. Happy and calm.

3. Gradual Introduction

Introduce your dog to the crate gradually. Start by leaving the door open and allowing your dog to explore the crate on their own. Leave Once your dog is comfortable with the crate, start feeding them meals inside the crate with the door open. Gradually increase the time your dog spends inside the crate until they are comfortable being in there for longer periods.

4. Create a Routine

Dogs thrive on routines, so establish a consistent routine for crate training. Take your dog outside to use the bathroom before placing them in the crate, and take them outside again as soon as they are let out of the crate. This will help your dog associate the crate with going outside to use the bathroom.

5. Don’t Create Excitement Around The Crate 

Excitement and crate is oil and water. A crate is a place to relax. Don’t get your dog too excited or riled up around the crate. The last thing you want is an excited dog inside a crate. Do not confuse excitement with happiness. You can be happy calm and happy excited. You want your dog to be in the crate happy calm

6. Be Patient

Crate training takes a little bit of time and patience, so be patient with your dog. Some dogs may take longer to adjust to the crate than others, so don’t rush the process. If your dog is having a difficult time, take a step back and go back to the previous step in the training process.

Crate training is a useful tool and a greta skill for your dog to have. It also provides a safe and comfortable space to retreat to. By following these tips, you can make crate training a great experience for both you and your pup. 

   © Gabriel Riesco, Pawmos Dog Training LLC |   All Rights Reserved July 2023

     

     

    Why Dogs Sniff Each Other’s Butts?

    Why Dogs Sniff Each Other’s Butts?

    Dogs are known for their curious and playful nature. They love to explore and interact with the world around them, including other dogs. One of the most common ways that dogs interact with each other is by sniffing each other’s butts. This behavior may seem strange to humans, but it is actually a crucial part of canine communication.

    So, why do dogs sniff each other’s butts? 

    To understand this behavior, it is important to know that dogs have a highly developed sense of smell. Their noses are much more sensitive than ours, and they use their sense of smell to gather information about the world around them. This includes gathering information about other dogs.

    • When dogs sniff each other’s butts, they are essentially gathering information about their fellow canine. The area around a dog’s butt is rich in scent glands, and the odors produced by these glands contain a wealth of information about the dog. For example, the scent can tell a dog about the other dog’s age, sex, health, and even what it has been eating.
    • Another reason dogs sniff each other’s butts is to socialize. It is a way for dogs to say hello and get to know each other. Dogs are social animals, and sniffing is a way for them to gather information and build relationships. They bond and establish trust with each other. 
    • Sometimes the manner in which dogs sniff rear ends can establish which of the two dogs is dominant and set the foundation of a canine relationshipThe dog that is sniffed first is usually considered to be the lower-ranking dog, while the dog that does the sniffing is the higher-ranking dog. 
    • Sniffing also helps the dog know when others are ready to mate or helps puppies locate their mother when they’re ready to eat.

    Is intense smelling a sign of aggression?

    There’s been some reports where a correlation between intense smelling and aggression has been noticed. In my experience the smelling part is never the issue, but the intensity can cause  problems. If your dog is smelling to intense and too pushy I advice you to work on slowing down your dog before interacting with a new dog or group of dogs. Dogs who interact too intense can create a lot of tension when socializing.  

    Why do dogs smell another dog’s poop?

    Dogs possess very powerful olfactory senses that can decode a lot of information. For dogs, poop is not gross, is just a source of very useful data  Dogs sniff poop to gather information about health conditions, diet, distress, home environment, and even another dog’s mood. The main aim of smelling poop is to gather information and learn more about the dog.

    Sniffing each other’s butts is a natural behavior for dogs. It is a way for them to communicate, establish hierarchy status and bond with each other. So, next time you see your dog sniffing another dog’s butt, let them be. Your furry friend is simply engaging in a behavior that is a crucial part of dog communication.

         © Gabriel Riesco, Pawmos Dog Training LLC |   All Rights Reserved April 2023

    Why Dogs Have Wet Noses?

    Why Dogs Have Wet Noses?

    A wet nose on your dog does not mean a runny nose. Your dog is not sick. Quite the opposite, you should look out if your dog’s nose is dry. A dry nose doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog is sick, but it could be a sign of dehydration, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on their water intake. 

    Dogs have wet noses for a few reasons. One is that a wet nose helps them to absorb scent chemicals. When a dog sniffs something, the moisture on their nose picks up scent particles and carries them to the olfactory receptors in their nose, which helps them identify the scent.

    Another reason is that a wet nose helps dogs to regulate their body temperature. Dogs cool off by panting, which evaporates moisture from their tongues and noses. A wet nose helps to speed up this process, allowing them to cool down more quickly.

    Lastly, a wet nose also helps dogs to stay hydrated. Dogs can lose a lot of fluids through panting, so a wet nose is an indication that they have enough fluids in their body to keep them hydrated.

    In summary, dogs have wet noses to help them absorb scents, regulate body temperature, and stay hydrated. It’s an important feature that helps them to survive in their natural environment. 

    © Gabriel Riesco, Pawmos Dog Training LLC |   All Rights Reserved February 2023