"Crate" on command, but....

[Anthony8858]

Here's a tricky one for me...

Sorry for the amateur questions, but I've been devoting lots of time to training Kira, and sometimes, I get a little stumped.

I taught Kira to go into her crate on command. Right now, I could stand up to about 10 feet away, and issue the "crate" command. She would go into her crate and lay down. I'm currently enforcing the "stay", while she's in there, and then a "release when I'm ready.

Here's my confusion:

I DO NOT want to associate the crate command, with CLOSING the crate.

1) How do I put her in the crate to close it? Do I issue the crate command, praise her, then lock the door? I feel that this would make her a bit skeptical about going in there.

2) I intend to use the "crate" command as a foundation to send her to her crate when guests walk into my home, or someone knocks at the front door.
i want t build on the crate command as a way to put her in an appropriate place when necessary.

I'd love to hear your tips an suggestions.This is a "Biggie" for me.

Thanks

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by Anthony8858

I DO NOT want to associate the crate command, with CLOSING the crate.

Why not? For me, the point of having them go to their crates is so we can close them in, no I'm confused about what you're trying to accomplish here. Can you explain further?

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by Anthony8858

2) I intend to use the "crate" command as a foundation to send her to her crate when guests walk into my home, or someone knocks at the front door.
i want t build on the crate command as a way to put her in an appropriate place when necessary.

But when you do this, you'll be closing the door, yes?

[4score]

Here's my take...maybe not right for you, but my plan for our house.

I want the dog to come with me to the door when there is a knock. I issue a "mat" command, and the dog goes to his mat which is positioned "near" the door, but far enough away to allow me to open the door and see who's there. The dog is close enough to see as well but remains on the mat. If I invite the person in I want to "break" (release) the dog so he can greet the guest then go on his way. Or, I can then tell the dog to go lie down (crate or bed) and even put him in a stay if he's too bothersome.

I think the thing I would want to concentrate on is the dog's behavior rather than having to lock him up. I can certainly understand however if you need to do that with some behavior.

[Jax08]

I think if that is your goal, then you should reinforce the Stay. Give her the crate command, then tell her Stay. Just as if you were reinforcing a Sit/Stay. If she gets out before her "time" simply put her back and again tell her Stay. I don't think your goal is any different than a Place command. You are just using Crate instead of Place.

First, I would make sure your Crate is solid. Reward when she goes to her crate. Then add the Stay. Increase the time as you increase her threshhold. Then add people to knock on the door to proof it.

[jocoyn]

I think the way their brain works is "I go into crate and get a treat" "Oh, that's funny, the door is closed" "Guess I will wait" "oh, come on now I have been here way too long roooo roooo awrrrrgh"


I like place as a separate command and like to use a mat for that because a mat can go anywhere.

[Anthony8858]

OK, all of you are correct, and my thinking was wrong.

I really need to create two separate commands for different uses. The crate command should be used when I want her in her crate. whether it's locked or not.
Then I could use your help enforcing the crate command. She's smart enough to realize that going into the crate, means getting locked in there. The only way I EVER get her in her (prior to the crate command training Ive been doing),was to bring her by her collar, and praise her when she's there. She accepts the crate command, but tries to bolt if I go to close the door. I'm seeing anxiety about closing the door.

I would like some instruction about the "place or mat" idea. I like that.
That's the biggie for me.

... This is why I ask these questions.

[4TheDawgies]

make the crate a positive place and you won't have to worry about closing the door or not. all of my dogs love their crates. They try to jump in them as I pass them because they've had so many rewards from them.

[cassadee7]

Hmmm, interesting. Saber loves her crate. I can say "crate" from anywhere in the house and she RACES to get in there. I think this is because I feed her in there, I give her knuckle bones in there, and about 75% of the time (now; it was 100% as a pup) I give her a treat through the door after I shut it. We keep a bag of treats right by the crate for this purpose. She never once has hesitated to go in. Maybe if you create a very positive association with the crate he will learn to love it. I also never use the crate as punishment.

[jocoyn]

Only issue I have with Beau is if I he does not see the food in my hand he runs to the refrigerator and waits, to make sure I get out some "puppy crack" before he goes into the crate

So, I am still bribing him to go in. But he does fly right in and turn around for his treat.