So you have a diva dog. One who acts like a princess, who seems to be aware of how cute she is and that people adore her. You may have the impression that diva dogs are difficult to crate train. But guess what, they are just like other dogs. And if you know the tricks on how to crate train your dog, then you can apply the same technique to your diva dog. Below are some crate training tips for doggie divas.
You need to get the right crate
If you have a princess of a dog then you need to get a crate that is fit for royalty. Of course, your first consideration should be the size. The crate should be big enough for your dog. But not too big. How much room a dog should have in their crate? Your dog needs to be comfortable inside the crate if you expect it to stay inside for a considerable amount of time. If your dog is just a puppy, then the wise thing to do is to get a crate that can accommodate its adult size. So you should have an idea of how big your dog will grow. You must also consider durability. If your dog likes to sleep in the dark, then get en enclosed crate instead of a wired one.
Help your dog to have the right mindset
If you want your dog to stay in the crate then it needs to have a mindset that the crate is a safe space for it to stay. It must be able to associate the crate with relaxation. So you shouldn’t put a dog inside the crate while it is in the middle of a play session. If you do so, you can expect the dog to just get out again and continue to play. You need to bring the dog inside the crate when it is calm and ready to rest or sleep. This way, the dog will likely view the crate as a place to rest.
You need to know what makes your dog comfortable
Not all dogs are the same. Some dogs like to have a soft bed while others prefer to lie o something firm. You need to determine what makes your dog comfortable. If she likes sleeping on a soft surface then you can place pillows or a bed inside the crate. If she like the crate as is, then do not make any changes to it. Your dog may be a diva but one of the things you need to know about dogs is that most of them actually like to sleep on hard surfaces. It is a trial and error process so you need to be patient until you find the level of comfort that your dog prefers.
Give your dog a treat
Giving your dog a little reward will not hurt. If it goes inside the crate then go ahead and give it a treat or two. Positive reinforcement can help you crate train your diva dog in no time.
