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September 2025 www.OverTheHumpSaver.com PAGE 69

PAW’S

CORNER

By Sam Mazzotta

IS CRATE TRAINING WORKING FOR THIS PUPPY?

D EAR PAW’S CORNER: “calm and relaxed” and “zooming there’s a bigger issue than the crate
happening.
My best friend adopt-
around your ankles” is paper-thin.
ed a puppy a few
Before giving your friend advice
months ago. Training
tactful question or two. Like, “How
seems to be going about how to crate her dog, ask a Ideally, both owner and dog should
be relaxed, calm and happy around
well: “Freya” gets regular walks, and do you know when it’s time for Freya the crate. That’s a huge help in crate
she heels pretty well and responds to go into her crate?” or, “Freya is training, because Freya will associate
when called. However, my friend so good at going into the crate on the crate with those emotions (and
uses a kennel crate, and whenever command. How did you accomplish treats). You could point your friend
Freya acts up (which is pretty normal that?” Owners are often willing to to the AKC’s page on crate training:
for puppies, right?) she puts her into reply in detail about their training www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/
the crate. I don’t think crates should method, especially when it’s working how-to-crate-train-your-dog-in-9-
be used as punishment. What’s your well. easy-steps.
advice? -- Glen in Marietta, Georgia
Signs that it’s not going well are COMMENTS
DEAR GLEN: While you’re correct when both owner and pet seem Send your questions or pet tips
to ask@pawscorner.com.
that a crate shouldn’t be used as stressed near the crate; when the
punishment, crate training a puppy dog is deeply reluctant to enter the © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
can get complicated sometimes. crate, or even fearful. If the owner
Those little guys are wriggly, fast and is yelling or yanking the dog’s leash
always a bit hyper. The line between or collar, that’s not a good sign;