Dog trainer says mistake during training can ‘affect’ pet’s health

A dog trainer has revealed the secret to making your furry friend love their crate time.

Crates are a staple for many pet owners, whether it’s for training a young pup or aiding in recovery from an injury. However, one trainer is now advising dog enthusiasts to reconsider their crate usage, as incorrect application could adversely affect your pooch.

Lorna from Isle of Wight’s Complete Canine Training has highlighted the importance of creating a positive association with the crate to effectively train your dog, suggesting that leveraging treats and toys is essential. “Stop putting your dog in a crate and leaving them,” Lorna cautioned on TikTok (@completecaninetraining).

“Dogs are such fast learners and they will really quickly learn that the crate equals the absence of you…So, you have to put them in there at different intervals – even when you’re home.”

“If your dog is happy to go in the crate for a treat… and the moment they finish their chew they don’t like being in the crate, or the moment they finish their chew, you are gone – you are actively devaluing food, or making your dog not trust you with food.”

When using food to crate-train your dog, Lorna instead recommends aiming to make it a typical experience without any sudden changes or leaving on every occasion. Over time, this should reinforce your dog’s ‘nice calm behaviour’ in the crate.

She emphasised: “There’s a difference between making it a positive experience for them and using it to trick them.”

Lorna isn’t alone in her views, as numerous online voices have shared their successful experiences too.

One individual commented: “We did this, crate training for 10mins/one hour throughout the day and a treat every time he goes in. Eight months and perfectly crate trained.”

Another chimed in: “Yesssss. Also putting them in there when you’re home doing stuff so they get used to being OK with not being able to access you.”

Jeanette Muldoon, another seasoned dog trainer at The Family Dog Club, also told The Mirror that certain dog breeds are better at dealing with alone time than others. So, it’s important to account for these differences when training up your pet.

She detailed: “Your Cockapoo, Cavapoo, and Spaniels like to be very much attached to their owners. They may struggle a little more than other breeds when left alone. We have Staffordshire Bull Terriers and they’re very affectionate [too]..Staffies are normally loyal dogs who like to spend as much time with their owner as possible, but most are often ok if their owner isn’t there.”