Reddit mentions of Susan Garrett's Crate Games for Self-Control and Motivation

If you are happy, and more importantly, your dog is happy and safe then you are doing everything just fine. I have owned dogs for 50 years and never used a crate. My youngest dog uses a crate now because we do agility and it is needed when we are at the venues. If you ever have a need Susan Garrett is a great resources for helping make crates desirable (http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Garretts-Crate-Self-Control-Motivation/dp/B0013GJJG6). In terms of feeding I have done both. The only advantage, I have found, to scheduled feeding is that their bathroom schedule is more predictable. The fact that you are asking questions makes me think your dog is one lucky dog. Enjoy!

It sounds like he could really benefit from additional mental enrichment. Aussies are working dogs that need a job to do, not just physical exercise. He's bored - he needs his mind worked every day. These behaviors are cries for help, not a means of trying to make you crazy.

Is he crate trained? That is also a good way to manage his destruction. Check out Susan Garrett's Crate Games. Also use the idea that "nothing is for free." Make him work for every piece of kibble he gets (this is how he can get his meals) by either doing training or give him puzzle toys to work at. You can do things like make him a Snuffle Mat, or make/buy some other puzzle toys. It might benefit to also work on some impulse control and "it's yer choice" games.

So, outside is SO MUCH MORE EXCITING!!! OH MY GOD!! Have you sniffed those BUSHES!? And look at that BIRD! I wanna catch it! It's a good bird, I'm gonna get it! OOOHH!! I FORGOT ABOUT THAT POLE!!! IT'S THE MOST EXCITING THING EVER!!!

So yeah. Outside can be super, super, super exciting for dogs. There is so much more vying for their attention and most pets are inside far more than they are outside so they've never really learned to ignore all the distractions from outside.

Have you ever walked into something like a TV store where every TV has some different show on? It's overwhelming, and you can't figure out where to focus your attention, right? That's what outside can feel like to some dogs.

You are utterly uninteresting in that environment!

What is key is getting your dog to be able to ignore those distractions and instead focus on you. It's going to be a long process, and you have to basically start from the beginning whenever you're in a new environment.

I think a great idea is to work on general attention when outside. Kikopup has some great games to show your dog that paying attention to you when outside is a great thing. For these games, I highly recommend a high value treat. When I first started with my pup I had to use warm boiled chicken (cold chicken wasn't interesting enough). She would also work for warmed lunch meat (I just threw in in a tupperware and threw it in the microwave for a bit)

While doing these games, if you don't have a fenced area, get a long line (if you don't have one already) so that your dog is safe. Always attach a long line to a harness as a dog can really gain some speed and if they hit the end of the long line on their neck, it can really damage it.

Another thing you can look up is "Crate Games". I unfortunately don't have a link for this (I'm learning them from a class) as sometimes initially using a crate outside when they've learned these games in the same crate while inside can help dogs transfer the behaviors more easily. This is what I'm trying to use for my pup whose recall is certainly less than stellar when outside (she LOVES to sniff things and has a huge prey drive)

Here's the DVD for crate games (runs about $34) I've never viewed the DVD, my trainer is just using the basic concepts in this DVD for her class.

Right now, by putting the food in first, you are luring her. This isn't a problem, it just uses different learning mechanism than shaping, and tends to work much slower.

I'd try getting her in the kennel, and then giving her a treat (while she's still in the kennel.) Wait a second or two, then give her another. Do this 4-5 times, then call her out of the kennel. Chances are, she'll turn around and go back in. If not, no worries, just use better cookies and try again later. If she does, repeat the game. :) If you ever catch her hanging out in either kennel, give her a treat. The first couple times, you might have to lure, but get away from that as soon as possible. You want her thinking it through and choosing it do it on her own, then by giving her a cookie, you are reinforcing that choice. When you lure, you are reinforcing following the cookie.

It's not a big deal for your dog to prefer other places, but it's also really nice for your dog to like her kennel. I travel a lot with mine (agility trials, camping) and kennels are awesome for that. At different points in their lives, both of mine have also been on crate rest (which sucks when you have active dogs!!) and having them comfortable in their crates helped a ton.

Edit: I should mention there is an amazing DVD on crate training, Crate Games by Susan Garrett.

I think this is a great idea. /u/kestrellowing has been using a similar set-up for her Border Terrier puppy over the last few months, so might have a few pointers for you.

> She doesn't understand why I'd confuse a puppy with having the crate open sometimes and closed other times.

Both of my dogs are perfectly fine with this and have been since puppyhood. They would choose to go in and sleep even when they were very young, so having an open door sometimes and a closed door when I was either crate training or having to close them in didn't cause any problems.

> She also said she doesn't understand why I wouldn't just use a pen and introduce a crate later when we get rid of the pen.

Because crate training is really, really useful and some dogs can climb over pens even as tiny puppies (one of mine could from day one). Also, what if your puppy has to be boarded at a vet because of some kind of accident and has no crate training? What if you want to secure them in the car and they have no crate training? It has so many uses.

I wish I'd correctly used a pen for both of my dogs, especially the second one so that the older one could have had some more time away from him. I would also say if you do this, get a proper pen and not a flimsy thing for £20. Puppies are surprisingly strong!

Some recommendations for you: Susan Garett's Crate Games DVD and the umbilical tethering method, as well as both Before and After You Get Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar.

Could not recommend Crate Games more. It turned my boy from being afraid of his cage to running to it whenever he wants to rest.

Thanks! This is all good stuff! I'm ordering the video today but since it won't get here for a while, can you give an example of what I can do with the crate pan?

I've tried a couple soft treats and a couple hard treats but they only work briefly. I'll be getting some "high value treats" today; they use hot dog in the video so maybe that.

edit: is this the same video as your link?

This is a great question, and one that I find really fascinating. Training your dog to be self disciplined is really important. Particularly with bouncy breeds! (Be realistic though, no being is perfect :D)

Here are some suggestions.

• Ian Dunbar has some strong opinions on how a dog should be expected to behave - his motivations are similar to yours (ensuring the dog is a loved and welcomed family member for its own long-term future). He is a great believer in crate training and socialisation. I tend to agree with him. These resources are very useful: https://www.siriuspup.com/
  
  
• Definitely heeling - this is a really important skill which you can build on and build on. Lots of practice, well rewarded, will mean you can get your dog walking close by your side when needed. Similarly, teach an emergency about-turn and - down the track - heeling on both sides with a cue to switch from one side to the other.
  
  
• Hand target (fist bump with the nose). Great for moving the dog, keeping her entertained when you need to sit and wait somewhere - and a foundation for a million other things to be trained.
  
  
• Go to your mat / bed / crate
  
  
• Automatic sit. Certainly fits with the image of the 'disciplined dog' and will help with encouraging calm.
  
  
• Emergency sit ( at a distance)
  
  
• Recall, recall, recall! As well as training 'come', also use a whistle - blow it and give the dog a bowl of chicken. Extend the distance. Repeat in different locations. Your whistle is now a rock solid emergency-only recall cue.
  
  
• Stop on recall
  
  
• Automatic leave-it. http://www.dogtrainergames.com/its-yer-choice/
  
  
• Crate Games by Susan Garrett are awesome for teaching discipline and also a load of other things
  
  
• Help your dog learn to be calm when he's not getting attention:
  Relax on a Mat
  and
  Relaxation Protocol by Karen Overall
  
  
• Advanced: help your dog learn to calm himself when he's anxious or reacting to a trigger through relaxation and biofeedback
  
  Don't be too snooty about training tricks. Firstly, fun training for treats will keep your dog interested in training: training a variety tricks for treats throughout her life will help you build a great bond and strengthen the 'training mindset' which is important for a love of learning and advanced obedience.
  The key to successful training is to make everything a game. Ultimately, you want your dog to choose to offer the behaviours you want (like sitting calmly at your feet while you sit and eat a burger) because she thinks it's an awesome trick which will get her a huge reward.
  Learning tricks provides a useful and entertaining way to tire the dog out; training tires them far faster than long walks or runs. You have a smart pup, so lots of heeling and basic training will get boring for both of you. Plus: training a few cute tricks will melt people's hearts and help overcome the perception problems you're worried about. You could start with a paw shake, bow, roll-over, and work up to 'peekaboo' (through your legs), spin... The 'Do More With Your Dog' program offers a huge range of tricks to choose between.
  
  Be sure to train things which are age appropriate: she'll probably mature by about 18mo -2yrs, so don't expect advanced calculus before then!
  

I cannot recommend Susan Garrett's Crate Games enough.

Susan Garrett's Crate Games DVD would probably be supremely helpful. Just treat the doorway of the house the same way you'd treat the doorway of a crate.

The general gist of CG is that you build value for being INSIDE and waiting there calmly until released if the door is opened.

Here's an Amazon link where you can purchase the video: http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Garretts-Crate-Self-Control-Motivation/dp/B0013GJJG6