Dog crate beds & casual cratewear will keep your pet comfortable while being crated and stop unnecessary sleep sores and hot spots.

Getting the most out of your crate bed! Whether you have a  fleece crate bed, casual crate wear, plush dog bed, a pet cot, a heated pet bed or a cooling dog bed, dog beds aren’t just a comfy place for your dog to lie down – Read the helpful article below. 

Teaching the “Place”  Command

This command can be used as a "kennel up" command for your crate. Also read our Crate Training Guideline when you purchase a dog crate from Dogtrainingwarehouse.com

1. Decide where you want the “place” to be. It is ok to have more then one place but if that is the case they need to be in different rooms and not in sight of each other. Make sure you have a dog bed set up in this/these locations.

2. With a leash on your dog, stand just a few feet away from the bed and using a food lure, lead your dog to the bed. As your dog is about to step on the bed say the command “Place” and then when all four feet are on the bed use verbal praise “good boy” followed by a food reward. The lure should be held near his nose and you will lead him as he follows the treat to the bed.

3. You will need to repeat the above step about 15 to 20 times from a number of different directions. Keep your sessions short so if you can only fit in 10 tries and then your dog starts to become disinterested then finish on a high note and try again later.

4. As your dog begins to show a clear understanding of the command, gradually increase the distance between where you and your dog are standing and the bed. Follow the same steps as above but now you will step and point towards the bed and command “place” using the lure but then tossing the lure on the bed. Repeat this a number of times until you are having clear success.

5. The next step is to positively reinforce the command with food but without using the lure and to also introduce a mild negative rein forcer if your dog chooses not to follow the command. So, step and point and give the “place” command without the food lure in hand. Be sure to have a treat close by in a pocket or treat pouch. You will also need to be holding the leash while giving the command. If he listens and goes to the bed then immediately reward him with the food treat. If he doesn’t listen to the command, use the leash the guide him on to the bed so that he learns there isn’t an option to not listen. Don’t reward him in this case, as you will be reinforcing bad behavior if you do.

6. Continue to practice the above step until you are able to get a reliable “place” command with no lure and little to no reminder with the leash.

7. There are three major steps left to make this command useful in every day life. Getting this to happen off leash, having him stay on the dog bed once he is there and also getting it to happen with distractions. Check back to see upcoming newsletters, e-books or articles on the final phase on the command. You can also work with a professional dog trainer in your area to fine tune the basics and take this command to the next level.