You are reading a single comment by @Markyboy and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
That's interesting. The crate being attractive bit is already done - he goes to it of his own accord whenever he sees me getting ready to leave the house, and spends time in there with bones and treats when he's on his own in the house. He's also happy to go in there with the crate door open when I'm at home, as long as I'm in the same room, otherwise he'll come and find me. So basically crate trained.
I have the same electronic door bell set up, so will try the next step...
Markyboy
first we had to make the crate attractive.
treats and meals would be placed inside the crate with the door locked. the hounds could see this but couldn't get in. we'd then open the door and let them in for the treat or meal.
initially we'd leave the door open.
as they became more familiar with the crates we'd close the door - often with things that would take a while to eat - marrow bones or similar (these also encourage suckling action which has a calming effect on dogs)
once the crate was a comfortable place we'd feed the dogs in their crates. or just place treats in there and let them follow the treat in
our doorbell has the switch outside the house but is wireless and can be triggered by pressing a button on the actual bell bit. holding treats we would press the chime button and then walk to the crates and put the treats inside and the dogs would follow. then close the door of the crates and walk to the front door and open it.
initially the dogs would bark each time the doorbell rang, but as they became more familiar with the game it was clearly more rewarding to go straight to the crate for a treat.
now the doorbell goes and they scarper to their crates, treats are thrown in and the doors shut. we then go and open the front door and the person is not greeted by two ginger idiots throwing themselves noisily at them.
they still bark a little bit much less than before and the risk is now managed.