In this video, KPA CTP Sarah Walsh is teaching her dog that settling in a crate is a very rewarding experience. She begins by clicking and rewarding the dog for first stepping into the crate, and then for lying down. As the dog remains calm, Sarah offers treats intermittently. Once her dog is completely relaxed in the crate, she begins to add mild distractions (Sarah flips through the pages of a book) and continues to offer treats for calm body language. Since dogs sense our emotions, Sarah ensures that she remains calm and relaxed. It is not long before Sarah’s dog mimics her calm behavior. The crate has now become a happy place where Sarah’s dog can go to relax!

For more ideas about how to get started training your dog, check out our blogs and the Dog Trainer Foundations course! The Immersion version of the Dog Trainer Foundations course offers an even more personalized, structured learning experience plus five hours of coaching to help you get to the next step!

Happy Training!