Crate training can be an important element for many dog owners, especially if you won’t be home with your puppy all the time. However, if you don’t use the proper techniques for Labrador puppy training in the early stages of his life, you may find your puppy is afraid of his crate. With the right techniques and some hard work, you can help your puppy overcome his fear and appreciate his safe haven.
Avoid Rushing
Time can sometimes be hectic, especially when you are trying to get out the door for work. This is not the time to attempt crate training with your puppy. If your puppy senses you are rushed or stressed out, the crate will not be a pleasant place for him. During the crate training process, make sure you allow plenty of time to calmly get him inside without creating extra stress.
Keep It Open
While you are home, the crate can be a great place for your Labrador puppy to relax and take some time to himself. Through the Labrador puppy training process, keep the door to the crate open so he can come and go as he pleases. When he is able to explore the crate on his own terms, he is more likely to accept it as his new home when you can’t be home with him.
Reinforce Behavior
It is a perfectly normal part of the process for your Labrador puppy to cry and whine when you put him in his crate at first. How you handle this behavior will shape how he feels about his crate in the future. It is often a knee-jerk reaction to yell at the puppy or otherwise punish him for this behavior. Instead, it is best to ignore it and leave the room, showing him he needs to be in his crate. His crate shouldn’t be a place of punishment.
Keep Time Short
During the early stages of crate training, don’t leave your Labrador puppy in the crate for long periods of time. If you can, have a friend, neighbor or relative stop by to let him out during the day while you are at work. When you aren’t working, keep your outings short until your puppy is used to his crate. This will ease his anxiety.
Labrador puppy training can be a frustrating and long process. However, if you treat it properly, you can enjoy a well-trained dog in his later years. If you are having difficulty with crate training and your puppy seems afraid of his crate, use these steps to help him overcome his fear and enjoy his time in his special place.
