Many people have adopted crate training as a good way of making puppies, especially Golden Retrievers, learn from basic things such as house training to the proper behavior when in a crate. When done rightly, it offers a secure and serene area where the puppy can lie comfortably. Crate training also discourages a pet from damaging your items or parts of your house, and it is also useful when you are moving from one place to another or have an appointment with the veterinarian. Below is information on some crate training methods you must apply to your golden retriever puppy.
- Step Three to Select the Appropriate Crate Size
The first thing in crate training is the selection of the crate size. When selecting the crate for your Golden Retriever puppy, select one suitable for the dog’s full size because these dogs mature fast. Usually, the crate selected should be of a size where the dog can stand, move around, and even lie down, but not large enough for one part to be a bathroom and the other a bedroom for your puppy. Growing with the puppy is another good consideration because you can always get crates with dividers that you can upgrade to suit the needs of your growing puppy.
- Make the Crate a Comfortable Space
To guarantee that your Golden Retriever puppy will be comfortable with the crate, it has to be designed to be friendly and welcoming. Put some comfortable items, such as a blanket or a puppy mat, in the crate while the puppy is outside. You can also make them add some of their toys or a chew toy so they are occupied for some time. Do not put food or water inside because this will preferably cause spillage and caution. The aim is to give as homelike a look to the puppy’s confine as possible.
- Introduce the Crate Gradually
In this case, socialization involves taking your puppy through a process to get him/her familiar with the crate. As a first step, discard the crate door and encourage the Golden Retriever to walk into it voluntarily. You can motivate them by putting the food or toys in it so that they develop a positive attitude towards the crate. Another thing you should not do is to take the puppy and push him/her into the crate, as this will help the puppy develop a negative attitude toward the crate. Then, they should willingly coax the pets to get into the crate, and they will perceive it as their home.
- Use Positive Reinforcement
One important aspect that should be considered while crate training is that only positive messages should be used. Every time your Golden Retriever goes into the crate, ensure that you encourage him/her with a treat, words of encouragement, or even a pat. This will help them realize that something good always happens whenever they are inside the crate. Remember that your puppy can spend much time in the crate as it grows up. Therefore, you should not force your puppy to stay in the crate long. Remember to feed them when they are still and calm inside to ensure they understand that the crate is a friendly spot to be in.
- Start with Short Periods of Crating
When your Golden Retriever gets used to going into the crate, the next step is to create the animal for a while with the door shut. Start with simply closing the door for a few minutes while you are standing close to the door. Just make sure that you start very early in the morning, and as the puppy gets used to the inside environment, you spend more and more time closing in. But while using the crate, you should not leave the puppy for long hours, especially while starting the process. This causes anxiety and stress and thus can affect the crate training process.
- Create a Crate Schedule
In crate training, the routines must be repeated. That is why it is important to keep the puppy on a proper schedule so that he knows when he should be placed in the crate and when he should be allowed to play, eat, or go to the bathroom. It is recommended that puppies be crate trained during nap times, meals, and at night. Allow your puppy to run, play, rest, and defecate from the crate. Teaching about house training also comes easily with the schedule since the puppy should learn to differentiate between time to rest in the crate and time for a bathroom break outside.
- Avoid Using the Crate for Punishment
Do not make the crate a negative space but a comfortable place your Golden Retriever will want to go to. However, note that the crate should not be used to punish your puppy should it be mischievous. This might make them develop fear and anxiety the next time they have to go inside the crate, thus refusing to do so. However, it is safer to reinforce positive action and shun undesirable behaviors within the crate. The best thing you need to do is ensure the puppy will learn how to feel comfortable in the crate.
- Gradually Extend Crate Time and Independence
When your pet is comfortable with the crate, you can extend the time it has to spend in it and leave the room for some time when the dog is crated. It assists them to adapt to loneliness without getting stressed. Begin by stepping out of the room for several minutes and then expand the time spent. If they whine or bark, do not let them out straight; wait until they make a break. This supports the notion that getting calm results in the freedom of the crate. Gradually, your puppy can spend hours in the crate without feeling stressed by the environment.
Conclusion
Crate training is one of the best methods that can be used to train your Golden Retriever puppy since it ensures that they understand where they should sleep and where they should not get to, especially when they are causing mischief. When selecting the crate, letting the dog get familiar with it and rewarding rather than punishing it makes it possible to avoid a stressful training process. Persistence, a good approach, and training techniques will surely make your puppy accept the crate, resulting in a useful tool in house training, among other uses.
