• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Dog's Best Life

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

5 steps to crate train an older dog

Posted March 7, 2020

 
French bulldog with crate. Take advantage of your older dog's calm demeanor to crate train an older dog. He now trusts you, so it should be easier for you to introduce a new routine.
Take advantage of your older dog’s calm demeanor to crate train an older dog. He now trusts you, so it should be easier for you to introduce a new routine.

At some point, you will need to keep your pup contained for a short period of time. Whether you just adopted an adult dog from the shelter or you didn’t find crate training necessary in his puppy days, you’re about to find out how to crate train an older dog and why it’s important.

Why is crate training important?

Although many people see crate training as something wrong or cruel, there are situations when it’s mandatory. You wouldn’t want your dog jumping all over the car when you take him to the vet.

If you manage to assign the idea of a safe space to your dog’s crate, he will be more than happy to go there and relax from time to time.

A crate is a great option when you’re traveling with your pup. It’s going to assure a safe flight, and he will probably be happy to stay in his new favorite spot.

At first, the idea of a crate and being contained may be scary for your dog, but you need to make sure that at the end of the day, he feels safe in there.

Being contained in a small box may be unpleasant and, if you are forcing it on him, he will try to escape and maybe never go inside again. Luckily, there are things you can do to prove the safety of a crate.

Before proceeding to crate training, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

  • Your dog shouldn’t stay in his crate for more than three hours during the day. He needs to move, to exercise, and empty his bladder.
  • The crate should be big enough for your dog. This means that your pup should be comfortable standing up and switching his position.
  • If you have a puppy or a senior dog, consider their frequent needs to urinate. Let them out frequently.

Buy Dog Carriers & Travel Supplies Today – Shop over 1,000 Brands at Chewy!*

Crate train an older dog

If taught properly, a crate can provide a safe and puppy-proofed area for your dog to sleep in while you are away, or not able to keep that constant eye on him.
Get a crate that’s the right size for your dog.

Some people may say that training an older dog may be a tough business because their habits and routines are already set, unlike training a puppy, who hasn’t developed bad habits.

In reality, you just need to take advantage of his already formed and calm personality. He now trusts you, so it should be easier for you to introduce a new routine.

1. Buy and set up the crate

As mentioned, the crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up and move around a little. If you have a French Bulldog, for example, then you should be searching for the best crate for a French Bulldog, because he will need to feel comfortable.

Set the crate in a visible place and leave it open. Your dog will soon start checking it out, as it is a new object in the house.

2. Prepare yourself and your dog

You both need to be content and ready to make the move. Keep in mind that your dog will feel if you’re nervous, so be positive and focus on the good parts of crate training. Make sure your dog emptied his bladder before he gets in.

3. Lure him in

This means that you will need to place his favorite blanket, toys, or treats into the crate. Objects he may recognize as being friendly.

4. Slowly get your dog inside the crate

All you can do now is be patient and wait for him to get inside. You can try placing his food and water bowls inside and wait for him to step in. Don’t push him, and don’t force him. You don’t want to make him run away from the crate.

5. Slowly close the door

He will eventually step inside the crate. This is the moment where you show him that you can be trusted. Don’t leave the door closed for more than a few seconds. Open it, and allow him to get out again. If you instantly lock him in, he will assign the fear with the crate, and it’s the last thing you want to do.

Just like potty training or leash training, you need to take it slow.

Give your dog the time he needs to adapt and understand the changes so you can crate train an older dog.

*DogsBestLife.com participates in the Chewy Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to let our site earn fees by linking to Chewy.com. 

Puppy training 101: 7 tips to start your dog off right

 

 
 
 

Related Posts

  • dog training success
    10 rules for dog training success

    For dog training success, use positive reinforcement, punishment-free training. Reward…

  • Man walks an airedale terrier. Leash train an older dog using patience and plenty of treats.
    10 tips to leash train an older dog

    Use many of the same tricks and tactics you would…

  • Woman adjusts dog harness. Harness training will give you better control of your dog and reduces the risk of neck injuries. But training your dog requires patience.
    5 easy steps to harness train your dog

    Harness training will give you better control of your dog…

  • Jack Russell terrier wears a harness, which makes it easier to leash train your puppy.
    5 tips to successfully leash train your puppy

    To successfully leash train your puppy, start early, and use…

  • If taught properly, a crate can provide a safe and puppy-proofed area for your dog to sleep in while you are away, or not able to keep that constant eye on him.
    9 steps to puppy crate training success

    Puppy crate training works by establishing a training routine with…

  • Bernese mountain dog training
    All dog owners can benefit from training classes

    Dog owners benefit from training: Even experienced owners need help.…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Training, Home Page Tagged With: Crate training

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Dog behavior: Understand pawing

  • puppy bite

    5 tips to stop puppy biting

  • puppy 101

    Puppy training 101: 7 tips to start your dog off right

Tags

CBD-Marijuana-Hemp Big dogs Vacation dog care Dog health insurance dalmatian Maltese Dog food dog quotes Puppy kindergarten High-tech dog gadgets French bulldog Dog grief Chewing wolves Corgi limping Acupuncture Fleas Border collie Yorkshire terrier Petfinder.com Pet parents Home renovations Allergies Puppy-proof Camping Dog temperament Veterinarian Dog poop Easter

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Is a Shih Tzu the right dog for you?
    The most prominent feature of the Shih Tzu is their luxurious hair, which requires grooming to prevent eye and ear infections. […]
  • Is a Great Pyrenees the right dog for you?
    The Great Pyrenees is territorial and protective. They also are nocturnal and have a keen sense of hearing. […]
  • 7 foods dogs should avoid eating
    Be aware of foods your dog should avoid eating because they are toxic and could potentially cause choking, weakness, or death.  […]
  • 10 tips to save money on pet supplies
    Check our list of the top 10 ways to save money on pet supplies so you can enjoy your animal companion for less. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2021 Dog's Best Life online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.