Crate Training an Older Dog

Crate training an older dog follows basically the same rules as those for puppies but with a few variations.

Probably, if you've owned him since he was a puppy.

Then why should you bother with a crate at all?

When you visit someone's home who is allergic to dogs, you can be considerate and keep your Golden's lovely coat from circulating throughout your host's house.

Having a place where your Golden Retriever can see and hear you, but not be underfoot to spread his fur around, will reduce stress for everyone involved.

Crate training an older dog is also a great way to make sure you can bring your buddy with you when you travel.

Your Golden Retriever may be the absolutely best behaved dog in the world, but some hotels and motels require dogs to be in a crate anyway.

It's possible that previous guests didn't take their doggie responsibilities seriously, and allowed their four-legged companions to chew or soil the room. As usual, that spoils it for the rest of us responsible pet owners.

But if your pup is already used to enjoying time in his crate, all you need to do is bring along your dog's "room with a view" and put it where he can keep an eye on his people and everything going on.

Crate training an older dog before you go on vacation will help him be content to sleep in his crate when you’re on the road.

Speaking of traveling, keeping your Golden Retriever in a crate while you’re driving is much safer for both of you than letting him roam around the car or van.

Techniques For Crate Training An Older Dog

Open the crate, put it in a corner of your bedroom and put your dog's mat or pillow in the crate.

Now put a favorite toy and a favorite treat in the crate.

If your dog just reaches in for the treat, praise him, try it once more and quit for the day.

Your dog may go right on into the crate and go to sleep, which would be the best scenario for crate training an older dog.

After all, his pillow is in there.

But what if he doesn't go in on his own?

Crate training an older dog goes much faster when you add food to the equation.

Place your dog's food dish at the back of the crate, tell him "Okay" and walk away.

If he wants to eat, he knows where his food is.

Don't close the door yet.

After he's used to eating and sleeping in his crate with the door open, just close the door when you all turn in for the night.

Then open the door when you wake up in the morning.

Ta da! Combining these easy crate training techniques (eating and sleeping in a comfy place) will have your dog used to his new "den" in no time.

What about crate training an older dog that you just bought and has never been crated?

Since he's a new member of your family, you'll need to take it more slowly.

He doesn't yet know anything about a crate or his new home.

The main purpose of crate training an older dog who is new to your home is to help you make sure he's housetrained before letting him have the run of the place.

Since he has better bladder and bowel control than a puppy, the process won't take as long.

Just follow the same steps as you would for crate training a puppy, and he'll graduate with flying colors in no time.

Crate training an older dog will give him a sense of security in the midst of his new surroundings.

Everything's strange and a bit scary for your new family member.

Though Goldens tend to adapt quickly to new situations, a crate can provide an oasis of security in this desert of unfamiliarity.

As soon as he realizes his crate is a place where he can go anytime he wants to be alone, he'll settle right in and be happy to call it his own "Home Sweet Home."

Custom Search

Return From Crate Training An Older Dog
to Training a Golden Retriever

Return From Crate Training An Older Dog
to Lovable Golden Retriever Home Page