Playing “Chase Away” with your puppy at bed time?
Playing “Catch the Puppy” with your partner late at night?
Playing “Dammit – get in the crate right this instant” after an evening’s exercise?
As funny and frustrating as this situation may be – oh-so-familiar – common, we understand. Not that we’ve actually been there (hence the funny part of this 
) In order to help, we’ve put together a training tips best-of list to help you through these painstaking moments. Follow our guaranteed steps to save you headaches, backaches and a plethora of other sprained ligaments and joints all while trying to get your puppy into the crate!
- Trick-or-treat. No this isn’t halloween and no you shouldn’t be trying to scare your puppy either – shame on you! Actually, the trick is a treat. Your puppy is going to be super excited about an extra tid-bit before going to bed and entering their crate will be seen more as a ‘do this and get a cookie’ type of action instead of a ‘run for cover and never be caught till death!’ kind of game.
- The leash is your friend. Before your puppy is even aware of what’s going on (as in: hey, “it’s bedtime” which can quickly turn into “my master need exercise before I go to bed” type of time. Leash them up and calmly walk them to their crate right after you’re playing with them or after you finish your nightly movie/reading session. They’ll be none-the-wiser about it as well. Unless, of course, you feel like running around the house.
- Congratulations, you’re on IDOL! So, ok. I’m not insisting you actually sing the songs of a doggy siren and you don’t have to be Medusa to get your puppy inside, but if this is a normal activity and everyone’s excited about it – then there’s no problem. Puppies need a lot of sleep throughout the day and it’s your responsibility to direct their attention there.
I think after reading a few of your posts, I understand more about my dog than ever before! I’ve never looked at my puppy this way before – so thanks for the post Josh!
Amiable brief and this article helped me get things right in the house. Thanks again Josh!
Only too happy to help Esmeralda and Jack! It’s fun to see the world from the point of view of the happiest creatures on earth!