How to Crate Train a Bloodhound

Start by setting up your pup's kennel in a convenient spot in the main part of your home where he can still be part of the action. At this point, you should tie the door in a wide-open position.

Pick a spot near the crate where you can toss treats into the crate for your pup to find. Show your pup the treat and then toss it into the kennel using a cue word, such as "crate" or "kennel".

At some point, your pup is going to let his desire for the treat override his suspicion and distrust of the crate. When this happens, he will wander in and when he does, let him enjoy the treat and then praise him and give him another one.

Now that you have your dog trained to go into his crate, you need to find a way to get him to come back out. At first, he will probably bolt out, but if he doesn't you can use a treat to coax him out. Be sure to use a cue word such as "out" as he exits. This will help him to associate the command with the action.

The rest is all about adding more time to how long your pup stays in his crate before you let him out. One thing to keep in mind is that you need to take your pup outside each time you let him out after being in the crate for a while, so that he can go potty and stretch his legs.

Start by finding the perfect location for your pup's den. Pick a spot where he will be able to see everything going on and can still feel part of the action. Carpet the crate, add his bed, a few toys, and cover the kennel with a blanket, creating a great den for your pup.

Bring your pup over to his new home and gently place him inside of it. While doing so, be sure to use your chosen cue word, such as "crate" or "kennel". Let him see the toys and then close the door. Give him time to play with the toys and explore his new den. Start at short intervals of no more than five minutes at a time an slowly work your way up to longer durations, five minutes at a time.

If this sounds too easy, that's because nothing worth doing ever is. Chances are pretty good that your hound is going to start howling and carrying on. It is a natural reaction to being in a closed crate. Just ignore him, in time he will either run out of voice or simply get tired of his own noise. When he finally relaxes and stops trying to shatter your eardrums, praise him and give him one of his favorite treats.

As soon as he finishes his treat, open the door, call him out using a simple "out" command, and take him outside immediately so he can go potty.

From here, you simply keep adding to the time between when he stops fussing and when he gets a treat. He will soon learn that making a fuss does not get him a treat, being quiet does. Keep extending the time he spends in the crate until you can leave him there while you are at work or overnight.

Find a good location for your pup's kennel, one where he can spend time with the family, even though he is in his crate.

This is the time to choose your cue words for going into the kennel. Make it simple like "crate" or "kennel". Choose one and stick to it.

Use one of your pup's favorite treats to coax him into the kennel by tossing one into the middle of his crate. If he wanders in, give him the cue word as he goes through the door. He might not stay in there for very long the first few times, but curiosity will get the better of him and he will spend more time exploring the crate and everything in it.

When he goes into the kennel, close the door behind him. If he fusses about the closed door, let him fuss until he gets tired of it and quiets down. When he does, give him a treat.

Keep working on extending the time your pup spends in his crate until he will stay there for extended periods of time. In time you may find him snoozing in there and that it becomes one of his favorite places.