o you begin crate training? First, select
a place where you'll put the crate-preferably in a spot not far
from activity in the house. You'll have to move your puppy's
crate into your bedroom at night, so you might want to have two
crates to avoid this.
Feed your Golden's meals in his crate. Toss his treats into the
crate so he must go in and eat them. Give him his chews in the
crate; Have him associate the crate with good things.
While he's eating, close the door for a while. Then, open it
again and let him out when you can watch him. When you want him
to go into his crate, toss a treat in and then close the door
when he goes inside.
Some puppies will fuss. If you give him a nice marrowbone, he
may not even notice that the crate door is closed.
It's very important to have Golden sleep in your bedroom, as
will help him bond to you. At bedtime, bring your puppy's crate
to, the bedroom and put him in for night. He may cry if this
is his first night away from home. You try the old "hot
water bottle and clock trick" (see end of Chapter 4) or
you can just rap on his crate and tell him to be quiet.
Crate Training for Older Dogs
Crate train an older Golden Retriever as you would a puppy, Feed
him his meals in his crate, toss treats into his crate to get
him to go in, and give him chews in his crate.
Occasionally, you'll find an adult dog resistant to crate training,
but this is rare. If your adult Golden has trouble adjusting
to his crate, consider a crate alternative or seek the help of
a professional trainer. |
Thanks to Alpha Books we offer you an excerpt from The
Complete Idiots Guide To Golden Retrievers by Margaret Bonham
Copyrights: Alpha Books 2004
Housetraining 101
Housetraining is your first big challenge in owning a dog. There
is, however, good news. No dog likes to soil his bed, and Goldens
are no exception. You can use this natural instinct to your advantage.
When you release your Golden from his crate, the very first.
Thing you should do is put him outside. Don't delay, because
I guarantee the first thing your Golden is going to do is relieve
himself on your floor. The choice is yours. When you open that
crate door, whisk your Golden outside to where you want him to
go. You won't have to wait long. Now praise him! Tell him that
he's the best Golden in the universe and give him a treat, if
you want.
Wow! you're thinking. That's it? Well, yes and no. That's the
basics to housetraining your Golden. Every time after you feed
him, play with him, and take him out of his crate, you need to
rush him right outside and
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