Virtually every pet owner will need to have their dog stay in a crate at one time or another. This might be for transportation purposes or for small periods of time when no one will be home to look after her. Dog crate training can be difficult at times but can be made worse by the owner that doesn’t take the right approach to it either. On the other hand, if done right, dog crate training can be very manageable for even the most stubborn of dogs. Here are some quick tips on how to do this right.

First of all, make sure your crate is the right size for your dog. Most dogs like crates because they want to sleep in something small; this makes them feel secure, the way most humans like a blanket or sheet over them when they sleep. But a crate that’s too small is dangerous and painful. The dog should be able to walk all the way around the crate with ease and should not need to dip her head while in the crate. All the effort put into dog crate training will be wasted if the crate itself is so small that the dog hates being there. And of course they won’t feel secure in a crate that’s too big, so don’t go overboard in the other direction either. Most pet stores these days allow you to bring your dog inside and this can be helpful when choosing a crate; the salesperson can typically assist in recommending a size for your dog.

Be sure to make dog crate training something that isn’t very traumatizing to your dog, especially at first. Simply forcing her inside and locking the door won’t do anything to help her feel comfortable in the crate. When dog crate training be sure to prepare the crate with a comfortable bed or blanket and some toys. Many trainers also recommend you put in one of your shirts that hasn’t been washed; this way the dog has your scent with her while she’s in the crate. You can also sit with her while training; this means she won’t associate the crate with being alone or abandoned.

Another good tip is to wear out your dog during the day when dog crate training. Give her a long walk or take her to the park and play with her for as long as possible. If she’s very tired at night she won’t be as likely to whine or cry when put into her crate. This way too she’ll associate the crate with a good night’s sleep and won’t be so hesitant to use it.

Dog crate training need not be difficult for dogs or owners; it’s actually much like getting a child to stay in bed. There may be some crying and resistance at first, but if you approach dog crate training with a positive attitude and make it as comfortable for the dog as possible it should go much smoother.

Many puppy owners will tell you that if they could accomplish one thing in their life, it would be some high-quality dog behavior training! Puppies seem to have a mind of their own and while they are certainly trainable, some seem as if they are purposely doing everything they can to drive their owner absolutely insane with their behavior. It’s a good thing they’re cute, isn’t it? But in all seriousness, dog behavior training doesn’t need to be as difficult as some people make it out to be, if you know how to do it right. If you’re in the middle of trying to accomplish some dog behavior training and are ready for some quick tips and hints, keep reading.

Tip #1 – Reward, reward, reward.

Far too many dog owners concentrate only on punishing their pet when it comes to dog behavior training. The real key to getting your puppy or dog to do what you want is to consistently reward his behavior when he does it. This is important for example during potty training. Simply chastising him when he messes in the house is not enough. When you get him outside to take care of business, be sure to immediately pet him and give him positive attention when he’s done. This way he associated going potty in the right place with his owner’s approval. Dogs crave that approval more than anything, so it’s important to use that consistently during dog behavior training.

Tip #2 – One step at a time.

It’s a common occurrence among new dog owners to completely overwhelm their dog with all the tricks they want them to perform. It’s something like playing with a new toy – you just want to go through all the features and options right away. For dog behavior training you need to slow yourself down and concentrate on one thing at a time. Teach him how to sit and practice this for at least two weeks before you introduce another command. Continue to practice the sitting while you do the next one, but let the next command sink in for a good two weeks before you move on to a third. Remember, dog behavior training can be a bit overwhelming for the dogs and the owners so trying to accomplish everything at once is just going to be too much for the dog and for you. So slow down and be patient, with the dog and with yourself.

Tip #3 – Have fun!

Once dog behavior training becomes irritating or overwhelming, it’s time to step back a bit. Be patient with the dog and remind yourself of all the reasons you got him. While not always fun and enjoyable, dog behavior training shouldn’t be devastating to you or the dog either. So if you find yourself resenting your dog or thinking that perhaps you’ve made a mistake, take a deep breath, and then take yourself and the dog out for a long walk – and have some fun along the way!

Just who would need dog agility training? Aren’t dogs just naturally agile and fit and able to run and jump and chase balls and Frisbees and so on?

It’s partially true that dogs are naturally gifted athletes in their own right. They have very muscular bodies in proportion to their weight which makes them able to run fast, jump high, and do so many other spectacular stunts. However, dog agility training means more than just training a dog to run or jump; it involves teaching dogs how to do certain stunts or perform certain tasks on command of their owner, improving their time over an obstacle course, and teaching them how to perform some stunts in a particular way. This type of dog agility training would typically apply to show dogs that need to run or jump or keep a certain pace according to the show’s requirements; they also need to keep in step with their owners, follow a certain obstacle course in a particular order, and so on. Just learning how to do these things is only half the experience; a dog needs to learn how to do these things in a particular way, at a particular speed, when given a particular signal, and so on.

As much as it is fun to watch those that have been through this type of dog agility training there are some cautions that owners should consider before simply signing up their dog for such a school. For one thing, most schools will only accept dogs that are 18 months or older, and for good reason. Dogs younger than this are still growing and trying to force them to learn different stunts can stunt their growth or damage them long-term. Also, it’s important to keep in mind some dog’s natural physical makeup. Smaller dogs with shorter legs cannot always do so well in jumps while larger dogs may have a problem with tunnels and such. A good school that provides dog agility training will take these things in mind and adjust or alter their training according to the dog’s size and breed; an owner that is attempting to train a dog on his or her own needs to do the same.

It’s also easy for an owner to assume that dog agility training should include punishment for when a dog doesn’t perform as expected, but experts in the field know that it’s much more effective to reward a dog when it does well than it is to simply punish it when it doesn’t perform as expected. Treats, petting, play time, favorite toys, and things like these can all be used as rewards for a job well done. Dog agility training should be fun for the dog and the owner, not a chore or trauma for either.

And remember that not all pets respond the same to dog agility training; some breeds are just too skittish or hyper to jump and run on command, so don’t let your expectations get the best of you.