Crate Training

I have recently begun to reevaluate the use of crates. I never technically crate trained Sherlock, but when he was under 5 months old, I would try to keep him in his crate for at least 15 minutes a day. In the summer, he actually preferred to sleep in his crate (as long as the door was open) because it was so hot. The only time Noah ever spent in a crate was during his flight from South Carolina to New York. At some point when he was around 4 months old, I tried to put him into his crate and he was incredibly scared. I realize now that it was disservice to both of them to not crate train. A crate should be a dog's safe haven. Any time the dog is stressed, it needs a place to go and relax without worrying about being bothered. So in the past week, I have slowly begun to reintroduce the crate to Sherlock. Last night, I began teaching him the command "crate". I threw a treat into the crate, pointed with my finger towards the crate while giving the command "crate". Once Sherlock retrieved the treat and was inside the crate, I signaled him down. Wow, what a fun game for him! Even Noah wanted to join the fun. However, he doesn't fit into any of the three crates I have. So I will need to buy a big crate for Noah.

Last night, I couldn't find Sherlock on his dog bed (where he normally naps) and I actually found him sleeping in his crate! Today has also been a pleasant surprise. Three times now, he has gone into his crate to nap. I think he likes the security of a crate and it's also a place where Noah cannot bother him. I can't wait to get a crate for Noah. I probably will not make them sleep in their crates, but I do want them both to be comfortable traveling in a crate, especially if I plan to compete with them. I am going to look into Susan Garrett's Crate Games DVD.