Therapy Dog Tip of the Day:  Crate Training 🐕
I ❤ my crate! It is my safe place, my comfy place. I’m 5 years old and I still have 2 crates, one in my bedroom and one in the living room. Momma didn’t want to traumatize me by giving my crates to puppy Geordi, so he has his own crates.
🐕 Crates are not cruel, not if done properly – think of it as a playpen or a crib for a hooman baby. Its purpose is to keep the pupper safe when the pawrents can’t supervise him – like when they are sleeping, working, or taking care of another family member (ME!).
🐕 Day 1: Crates are set up in the kitchen and our bedroom. Dad made dividers so Geordi doesn’t have the full crate – just enough room to stretch out for a nap. Momma fed Geordi all of his meals in the crate, with the door open. She also took him upstairs to his bedtime crate to get him used to it. The bedtime crate has his stuffy – or as dad likes to call it, his stinky – that was rubbed all over his littermates and doggie mom so it carries their scents and make him feel more comfortable.
     🐶 Dogs instinctively don’t want to do their business where they sleep. If you give the pupper full rein, they will do their business in a far corner and sleep as far away from it as they can get. Covering the crate with a towel or blanket makes it feel even more den-like.
🐕 Day 2: Geordi fell asleep in front of his kitchen crate, so momma carefully transferred him inside, still with the door open. Later that day, he went inside on his own! Momma closed the door for about 10 seconds and opened it so he could come out. Next time he went in, momma closed the door for 15 seconds, etc. Otherwise the door was open all day. Food was served right outside the crate.
🐕 Day 3 (today): Geordi carried his favorite toys into his crate! And he snuggled up in there for a nap. Crate training is going well – he recognizes it as a safe, happy place. Food is now served at the base of the counter, where it will continue to be served.