How to Crate Train a Husky
All dogs, including huskies, should be crate trained, as there are many benefits to it. Not only will a crate keep your husky in a safe and confined environment while unsupervised, but the husky most likely will not go to the bathroom while inside one, as dogs don't like to soil the place in which it sleeps. In addition, most dogs grow to enjoy the crate as a place of its own. The crate gives a dog a sense of security, therefore reducing separation anxiety and other destructive behavior.
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Instructions
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An ideal crate is large enough for your husky to stretch out and stand. Pick out a crate. Although a husky will grow to be rather large, do not give it an oversized crate if it is not fully grown. The purpose of a crate is to show your husky that it should not "leave a mess" where it sleeps, and if the crate is too large, the husky might use one side for sleeping and the other for doing its business. If you do not want to invest in more than one crate while your husky is a puppy, block one end of it. An ideal crate is large enough for your husky to stretch out and stand.
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Leave chew toys available to keep your husky entertained. Introduce your husky to its crate. Put a pad or blanket at the bottom of the crate so that the husky is comfortable, and leave a few husky-safe toys, such as Kongs. Toss a treat inside, and let your husky walk in after the treat on its own. Leave the crate open so it can wander in and out, but reward your husky with a treat and praise once it goes inside.
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Reward your dogs with dog treats throughout the process. Get your husky used to being confined in its crate. After it walks inside, close the door for a short amount of time, then let the husky out as long as it is quiet. Keep increasing the amount of time your husky is locked in the crate, until it is comfortable with staying in the crate for extended periods of time. Do not respond to your husky's cries in the crate or try to provide comfort, as this will teach it that it can whine anytime, including while you're trying to sleep, to get out of their crate. That would defeat the purpose of crate training.
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Tips & Warnings
If your husky is going to be confined for a long period of time, make sure it has access to food and water.
Do not reward your husky by taking it out of the cage if it starts fussing and whining to come out.
Never leave your husky in the crate for more than 3-4 hours at a time.
Remove choke collars before crating your husky.
References
- Photo Credit Husky image by Darcy Veer from Fotolia.com husky image by Dmitriy Lesnyak from Fotolia.com chew toy image by Undy from Fotolia.com Isolated large dog treats image by Allen Stoner from Fotolia.com
