Crate Training Your Labrador Retrievers

Every dog owner has their own reasons for using crates in training their Labrador Retrievers. Crates are being used as confinement when housebreaking, traveling or during illness. It is also used to ensure security, safety and to protect household items and furniture. Some says that putting your Labrador Retrievers in the crate is an inhumane practice, depriving them to wander and might cause psychological problems. But those are a human's point of view.

Because of their den-instincts inherited from their ancestors, dogs consider their crates as a safe place they can call their own. It is their haven where they can safely stay to keep them warm during cold season and keep them cool during hot days. Dogs do not like to soil their haven only if they have the opportunity to eliminate waste elsewhere. This idea is helpful in housebreaking your dog. You will get your dog used in controlling his desire to urinate or defecate and will later develop into a routine in which your dog will eliminate only in the right place you specified.

Remember that your dog should not have a negative connotation to the crate. The use of crate is effective provided your Labrador Retrievers are accustomed to it. Open the crate door and encourage him to go to his crate by adding familiar smelling toys, blankets, chews and his other favorite stuff inside the crate. Do not force your dog to enter his crate immediately. This may take several minutes or even hours and days. Once your dog is used in going in and out of the crate, start feeding him there but keep the crate door open. You can close the door while he is eating if he is already comfortable eating inside his crate. The first time you close the door, remember to open it as soon as he finishes his meals. This will a positive association with the crate.

Since dogs do not like soiling their sleeping area, remember to open the crate door usually after eating to eliminate outside. Remember also to take him out regularly once he has developed his elimination schedule.

As for the correct location of the crate, place it in a location where the family spends a lot of time and does not get too hot or too cold. A crate is your dog's home, not his jail, so never use it as his punishment place.

Richard Cussons has written articles of various breeds including Labrador Retrievers. Discover Labrador training tips at labradorsavvy.com.