Are you planning to take a trip soon? Do you want to take your pet with you? Traveling with a dog can be an exciting experience, but how to prepare your pooch on a crate, if he hasn’t been in one?
Kennel training is one of the essential parts of this process if you want to have a dog-friendly trip. By taking the necessary steps and getting a dog travel crate, you can actually enjoy your journey. So, here are our tried and tested tips which can help your canine get accustomed to new conditions.
See more 11 Top Rated Dog Crates.
Benefits of Crate Training Your Puppy
Promotes Good Behavior
Canines are reward seekers, and they will always perform various behaviors until they find one that ends up with a reward. In that case, dogs will repeat action in the future, until he gets an award again and again.
It’s one of the ways how habits are formed, and an excellent opportunity to crate train your pet. Cage will prevent your pooch from forming bad habits and promote good behavior.
Keeps Dog Safe
Cages are designed with safety features in mind. While we are away, they keep our pets secure and protected. You can put food and water inside, therefore, your dog is quite comfortable within the crate.
Additionally, he will have a place that’s just his own and which offers refuge. It will provide him with peace and a feeling of security. Pick the one from best heavy duty dog crates, and you’ll never have to worry that your pet will hurt himself while trying to escape it.
Travel Easily
Travel becomes much more comfortable when your canine is kennel trained. For instance, getting your canine in the airplane wouldn’t be possible without airline approved dog crates.
Even though the cage isn’t mandatory for a car, we strongly advise you to get one. First of all, you can prevent many disasters from happening, as well as accidents and noise during the road trip.
Promotes Independence
Dogs who are kennel trained have more independence than ones who are left to roam free. They already have formed habits and know the boundaries. Cage is their safe heaven and prevents destructive behavior.
For that reason, canines are more confident, as well as relaxed and settled.
Potty Training Management
Canines associate cages with their personal space, and they don’t like to make a mess in their own home. When you use an enclosure to aid a toilet training, you put pooch in a small den that forces him to hold it in.
However, when you remove a dog from a crate, take him immediately outside, so he can link the bathroom to outdoor.
Crate Training for Travel Steps
- Choose a Crate
As soon as you know that you’ll be taking a trip, make sure to get an appropriate cage, and in some cases, you’ll need to buy two. First of all, if you are traveling by plane, then you must get an airline approved dog carrier, which complies with IATA regulations.
On the other hand, when it comes to a dog crate for a car, you can select any cage that is crash-proof and makes your pet comfortable. Based on our experience, as long as you help your pet get accustomed to new living arrangements, you won’t have issues.
- Take it Slow
If your furry companion has never used a dog travel crate, then it makes sense that he will be a bit wary of it. For that reason, take the bottom part of the cage and put it into a living room, or another place where your canine likes to spend time.
This will help him get familiar with the entire concept, and once he is comfortable enough, add the top part. In this case, you are taking things slowly and assisting your best friend with this transition.
- Familiarize
Many dog owners tend to place toys and treats inside to encourage exploration. You can also feed your pooch in the carrier by placing a bowl inside and then gradually move the food further and further in the crate.
Before you know it, your pet will be moving in and out for naps and playtime on his own. This is an excellent way to make your dog familiar with space.
- Don’t Rush
Cage adjustment is crucial, so try not to force this entire process. Otherwise, you can cause the opposite effect. Usually, it will take a couple of weeks for your canine to come around.
He will either connect this space with positive, or at least neutral experience. During the training process, try to act normally and let your four-legged friend get used to this change. Don’t try to push this transition because it will happen naturally.
- Do Trials
When we compare crate training pros and cons, it’s a process of trials and errors. Once your furry-companion is comfortable with the cage, try keeping him inside with the doors closed, when you are away.
First of all, keep the door closed for a couple of minutes and work your way up. If all goes well, you can load the carrier into a car and take your pet for short rides.
Read more about Safe Traveling With Dog in a Car.
- Praise & Give Rewards
As we already mentioned, dogs seek rewards, and they will do anything to get a delicious treat or praise for their good behavior. If you use this as one form of positive reinforcement, then you can help your dog through this transition.
Affection, verbal praise, and food go a long way and can help you make fantastic progress when it comes to dog carry case training. In this case, you will prepare your furry companion for an upcoming trip and relieve stress.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to travel long distance with a dog, you won’t have issues with your pooch. Keep in mind all the thing we mentioned in this article because they can help you in various situations.
For people who are dealing with mature dogs, who never spent time in a crate, this whole process might seem a bit challenging. However, it’s never too late to start with training, mainly if you apply our tips and tricks.
- http://www.happytailstravel.com/blog/pet-travel-tips/2013/03/15/crate-training-your-dog-or-cat-for-airline-pet-travel
- https://www.ferndalekennels.com/import-export/crate-training-travel/
- http://www.drjensdogblog.com/crate-training-your-dogs-portable-safe-haven-and-how-to-help-him-love-it/
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