Crate Tips
Hey guys, so I'm bored at work and was looking up Shiba stuff (a regular occurrence here), and found this newsletter on the NYC Shiba Rescue site. I, too, have the problem of Ryu running to the door when the doorbell rings and constantly having to hold him (all the while squirming and barking) when I open the door so I found this tip interesting:
"We do not have a doorman so whenever a friend or delivery person stops by, the buzzer rings and the dogs bark. Given that I can hear all my neighbor’s conversations through a vent in the kitchen, Justin and I were
afraid that a barking dog would quickly become a nuisance to the building. So, a couple of weeks ago, we decided to teach the dogs to go into their crates whenever the doorbell rings. It seemed better than barking and safer as well, given that we live on the ground floor and have had to – more than once – grab the dogs before they head onto the street while I am signing a credit card slip for take-out dinner. In a team teaching manner, Justin rang the buzzer over and over while I tossed treats into the
crate. After a couple days of this, every time the buzzer rang, the dogs looked over to the crate to see if there was a treat. And, since it’s hard to bark with a treat in your mouth, the barking at the buzzer stopped. A few more times and, in a perfect replica of Pavlov, the buzzer ringing signaled to the dogs that they should go into their crates. A quick “stay” command ensured that they stayed there until released and I have not had to stop a dog from bolting out the door since."
Anyone else have any neat tricks involving a crate?
Comments
Nemo goes running into his crate everytime I turn off the tv/stereo and stand up. He trained himself because for so long I turned off the tv/stereo, got a treat and put him in there. However he doesn't go in there and "stay" when told, or when guests come over. Also when I brush my teeth at night he settles into his crate and waits for his treat.
There is an article on training your dog to do this type of thing in last months Whole Dog Journal.