Time Out Pup!

 Here is my article on using Time Out for your pup, or adult dog.

I’m a huge advocate of crate training - but I don’t believe in using the crate as a punishment,  or as an immediate “time out” from doing a undesirable behavior.  

Here is my preferred way to utilize crating in an appropriate way.

*Tiny pups must be given more leeway, as they are young and don’t fully understand basic obedience commands, nor all the house rules until they mature a bit more.

I keep older pups on short leashes when out of the crate so I can immediately correct and redirect them to making better decisions .  If the pup goes for an inappropriate object give a verbal “ah “, a couple quick light tugs on the lead, and direct them to doing something more appropriate.
* I only use a verbal NO for extreme disapproval-  as using it frequently makes it common, and it looses it’s effectiveness.

If you prefer to do a TIME OUT utilizing the crate when the pup directly disobeys a known command-  I first take the pup by the leash, and ask for an already learned DOWN and STAY.
Enforce they STAY in that position quietly, for a just a minutes or two.  This is a VERY long time, and a hard exercise for an energetic pup! 

Stay calm, our angry energy goes right back into our dogs from us, and will definitely make the situation worse for both.   Be patient, and consistent. 

Then give the pup a release word ( I use BREAK as a release word), and let them up.

At that point if you decide to crate the pup tell them to go into their crate, praise them for going in, and toss an interactive food filled toy in once they are in the crate.
Remember, they may need to come out to potty after they eat.

I recommend using ALL the pups daily meals as rewards for obedience, tricks, good manners, or in interactive food toys- frozen if possible as it takes much longer for them to get it out. 

Hand feeding gives “ value” to the human from the dogs point of view, instead of giving “value “ to the dog bowl.  It helps the dog focus on the handler instead of being distracted, this is a huge advantage in our favor. Hand feeding also lessens the chance of resource guarding, as there is no longer a bowl to guard.

I also highly recommend PLACE  command with gradually added duration for pups who are four months old, or older.
I have a very detailed article on how to train the PLACE command at my site.

There are many articles on potty training, the OUT command, helping anxious/fearful dogs, and more on my site below which is open to the public, and free of charge. ❤️🐺❤️
https://www.facebook.com/AllBasicsDogTrainingKimChappell/