What Is Crate Training?

Crate training is the process of teaching your dog to go to its crate on command and stay there comfortably until released by command. Crate training is typical to American dog owners. The aim of crate training is to make the dog recognize the crate as its den and feel thoroughly safe and at home there. It is useful to you when your dog is new to the house and is not familiar with the house rules. Crate training also comes in handy when you want to travel with your dog, especially to a place where letting it loose is not an option.

Crate training a dog takes a lot of time and effort. There are two things that you should remember while crate training a dog, the crate should be a pleasant object to it, always, and that the training should be done in small parts, slowly.

Dog Training Tips: Establishing Dominance

Dogs are not furry little four-legged humans. They are dogs. Pack animals. In order to connect with them on their level, we need to understand the mechanics of dominance in the pack. Failing to establish this clear hierarchy, or allowing your dog to become the leader while you take a submissive role, is often the root cause of behavioral problems.

There are many subtle ways to establish dominance that do not require "alpha rolls" and other physically aggressive displays. Simple obedience training is the first step towards becoming the pack leader, as is walking your dog daily. The NILIF method is great exerting control over every aspect of your dog's life, and thereby establishing dominance.