In a continued effort to reduce the potential spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and to protect the health and well-being of the animals in our care, our dedicated staff and volunteers and our community, as well as in compliance with state and county orders, the SPCA of Texas’ shelters, clinics, mobile adoptions, and mobile wellness events will remain closed to the public through at least Thursday, April 30.
In the meantime, we are offering some tips on training your pets to make you and your pets’ lives happier.
Training your dog to accept and enjoy their crate is helpful in many ways, including potty training, managing destructive behavior and creating a routine for you and your dog. Dogs that have been trained to enjoy their crates perceive their crate as people perceive their bedroom. It is a safe, comfortable place to get away from the rest of the house and a place to rest.
Purchase a crate that will be large enough for the dog to stand up, turn around and lie down in comfortably. Lead your dog over to the crate and toss a few treats inside. Once they are inside, praise them and give them another treat. If they sit or lie down inside the crate, give them another treat.
If they exit the crate, don’t reward them with a treat.
Repeat this a few days in a row, then add the step of closing the kennel door followed by giving them a treat.
Over time, they will associate the crate with getting a reward. You can start leaving them in the crate for intervals of time, starting with 10 minutes, and build up from there. It will take some patience on your end, but eventually your dog will learn that sitting nicely in the crate will make you happy and earn them a reward.
For more specific information on crate training, and for more pet tips, visit SPCA.org/PetTips.