SANCTUARY. STRUCTURE. SAFETY.
The crate is your best friend and tool when it comes to helping your dog maintain practicing calm, giving them a space to decompress and ignore all the goings on around them and to aid you in developing structure, boundaries and consistency in your training lifestyle.
LONG TERM CONDITIONING
Expect days, weeks or even months
Tools
Daily Meal - kibble or raw (use a spoon for raw to keep hands clean)
Crate
Leash/collar
The only way your dog eats is by entering the crate.
Only feed dog by placing food/bowl in back of crate.
Step 1 - Entering the crate pays!
Walk your dog up to crate
Toss food into the back of crate
When dog is all the way in - toss more food in back
Say "Break!" (or any release word like "OK") and guide your dog out
Repeat
*No shutting the door at this point
Step 2 - Door shutting pays!
Repeat Step 1
When dog is all the in, shut door
Toss food into back of crate
Thresholds immediately!
Use the door to communicate calm, respectful exits
Open the door and if your dog tries to rush out, shut the door
Allow your dog to exit when they are patient and calm
*No payment for exits*
Step 3 - - Name It!
Walk your dog up to crate
Say "Kennel" - or any other name you choose!
Toss food into the back of crate
When dog is all the way in - toss more food in back
Step 4 - Duration!
Close the door a little longer - pay
Walk a few feet away - return & pay
Continue to build calm association with every meal or several times over the course of the day.
Happy Training!
xoxo
-J