[LIforrelaxin]

Some notes from some recent trials in create training...

-- location of the crate... We found that are dog went from being upset, and stessed to being much more relaxed by simply moving the crate from an area where he couldn't see the entry door, to being where he could see it.

-- As mentioned, feed the dog, and give him treats while in the crate... make an association of the crate and positivity....

-- work on getting the dog into the crate under his own power, no forcing... this goes along with feeding and treats... we would make the dog (and still do) go into his crate and lay down to get a treat....

-- Make the crate always accessible to the dog, never close the door unless you are leaving.... our dog now goes in his crate even with out prompting. I am hoping soon he will even learn to take naps in it.... but one step at a time.

Note that I don't expect these tricks to work for everyone, but they are notes on what I have been doing and found, with my latest dog.

Last let you dog decide what normally belongs in the crate with him... if you put something in there and he takes it out... don't put it in there again.... My dog wants nothing in the crate except himself and food... his toys for reasons unknown to me don't belong in there, we clean the house and put them in the pen, and he takes the right back out...