best way to introduce a dog to a crate?

[Pebbledash]

ive recently brought a 42" crate for my 1 year old staffy to stop him chewing house to bits and i just wondered whats the best way to get him used to it as quick as possible.?
i've already put a dentastick and a raw beef bone in there and he stayed in there tucking into them.
now hes sitting in there eating a nylabone and hes happy i guess?
i know not to put him in there as punishment so no need to tell me that.
i just wanted extra tips really
also should i make that his bed from now on? i usually let him sleep in his bed in the kitchen at night and he's fine. should i put the cage in there now instead?
i only really need it when i go out but surely if i only let him in it when i go out he will never get used to it? i just cant have it up 24/7 as we havent the space... any ideas??
thanks

 

[Michelle7471]

You're on the right track and all the responses are right on as well. Another tip to work on is to work on sitting/laying towards the back of the crate and also staying in the crate until you give a release word. This will prevent the dog from going crazy when you do come home and also teach him that bolting out or pushing the door open is unacceptable. First, always reward towards the back of the crate, either at the top or on the sides depending on whether your dog is sitting or laying. The dog will learn that treats always come from the back of the crate, not the front. The dog will catch on and start staying towards the back.

To practice stays in the crate, work on sits outside the crate and eventually move the dog inside the crate for sits (remember! treat at the back!). The dog will catch on. Next, work on telling the dog to crate, close and latch the door.....and walk away to set up the behavior. Walk towards the door, put hand on handle and just wait for the dog to sit, once he or she does, reward and repeat. Once the dog masters this behavior, you can work on stays slowly by opening the door and waiting 3 secs, release word ("go" or "ok"), treat/reward. If the dog trys to exit before the release word, close the door gently on them and restart. Eventually work up to 5 secs, 10, 15, 20, etc. And also start moving further away from the crate.

This is probably a lot, but i hope you challenge your dog to be the best he can be!

 

[Lily Ole']

Put it IN.
SHUT the door.
CRATE when not under direct supervision!!!
ta-dah