Make the Crate Inviting

• Comfort and Toys: Line the crate with safe bedding and durable toys. Offer high-value, long-lasting enrichment chews (like stuffed Kongs) exclusively inside the crate. (A word of caution, if you dog is unsupervised, be careful not to leave them with treats that could break off and become choking hazards.

• Meal Association: Feed all meals inside the crate, gradually moving the bowl to the back. Gently close the door during the meal, opening it immediately after your pup has finished eating and when you dog is calm.

• Treat Discovery: Toss high-value treats into the crate when the puppy isn’t looking to reinforce positive feelings.
• Play and Cuddle: Wherever the crate is located, spend time playing and cuddling near it. Throw toys in the crate so puppy can enter and leave with low pressure and fun.

• Avoid Punishment: Never use the crate as a penalty; this creates fear.

• Systematic Training: Use lures (treats/toys) to encourage entry. Start with the door open, then close it for just 1 to 5 seconds. Gradually increase the duration.

• Ignore Whining: Wait for a moment of silence before opening the door. We want calmness (a moment of settling) when we open the door.

• Practice Separation: Start by staying nearby – follow the no look, no talk, no touch rule. Then briefly step out of sight. Keep returns and releases calm. Use a calm, slow voice.

• House-Training Aid: The crate is invaluable when properly used, because dogs instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area.

• Immediate Potty Breaks: Always take the puppy out immediately before crating and immediately after releasing them.

• Calm Exit: Only open the door once the puppy is calm and settles to reinforce relaxation.
• Stay Consistent: Don’t let puppy sleep with you in bed as it can cause backsliding.

Call a professional dog trainer or behavior specialist if crate training is disrupting your health, your pup demonstrates excessive separation anxiety, or crate training simply is not progressing for you.

At Kasten’s Dog Training, we remain committed to helping you and your dog build a strong, positive relationship through practical training. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services so we can assist you in reaching your training goals!

The post Crate Training Your Dog, Three Essential Tips appeared first on Kasten's Dog Training.

Understanding canine personality types, particularly your dog’s personality traits, is one of the most powerful tools you have for modifying your dog’s behavior, communicating clearly and guiding them with confidence. Everyday interactions—eye contact, touch, tone of voice, even your body language—can influence how a dog responds, so approaching each moment with awareness and purpose is essential. For dogs that struggle with human aggression, dog aggression, severe reactivity, or extreme fear of the world, awareness of this becomes even more important when working on behavior modification. These dogs require a balance of sensitivity and direct, structured guidance to help them safely assimilate into everyday life.

In this section, we’ll explore the next three canine personality types: Aggressive, Fear‑Biter, and The Sky Is Falling—each with its own challenges and training considerations.

Aggressive dogs are confident, assertive, and willing to use force when they feel it’s necessary. This personality is not tied to any specific breed. Some dogs become aggressive due to mistreatment, but many learn early on that intimidation works. Contributing factors include poor training, lack of leadership, weak communication, inadequate socialization, and genetics. Because these dogs can pose a danger to people and other animals, they represent a significant liability for families and communities. Professional help is essential. A qualified trainer must safely bring out and address the aggression before teaching the owner how to maintain control and prevent future incidents.

The Fear Biter Canine Personality

Fear biters are insecure dogs who react aggressively when cornered, threatened, or approached by someone who appears nervous. Their aggression is rooted in fear, not dominance. They often attack from behind or when a person turns away. Causes include lack of early socialization, no obedience foundation, mixed signals from owners, or breeding for protection without confidence. These dogs can be dangerous, especially around children or guests, and may lead to serious incidents. Training requires calm, structured obedience, gradual socialization, and zero tolerance for aggressive behavior. A muzzle may be necessary during early rehabilitation to ensure safety.

The sky is falling personality describes dogs raised in isolation or kennel environments with little exposure to people, places, or everyday life. They may function normally at home but become fearful, overwhelmed, or paranoid in unfamiliar settings. Causes include poor breeding, lack of socialization, being raised with multiple dogs instead of people, or being kept in isolation for long periods. These dogs may develop extreme anxiety or, in severe cases, unpredictable aggression. Training is challenging because they don’t initially understand praise or communication. They require gentle, consistent exposure and soft-force training to build confidence slowly over time.

Understanding these more complex canine personalities allows owners to approach training with clarity, confidence, and realistic expectations. Dogs struggling with aggression, fear, or extreme insecurity can make tremendous progress when guided with calm leadership, structure, and consistent communication. With the right approach, even the most challenging dogs can learn to feel safe, think clearly, and navigate the world more successfully.

At Kasten’s Dog Training, we remain committed to helping you and your dog build a strong, positive relationship through practical training. Call today to schedule your discussion with a trainer and begin training your Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services so we can assist you in reaching your training goals!

The post Your Dog’s Personality? – Canine Personality Types Part II appeared first on Kasten's Dog Training.

While every dog is an individual, many fall into recognizable behavioral categories. At Kasten’s Dog Training we focus on six canine personality types. These canine personalities are hyperactive, shy, happy-go-lucky, fear biter, aggressive, and the sky is falling. Understanding these personalities helps trainers create tailored approaches that bring out the best in each dog. Educating owners with their dog’s personality helps set realistic expectations. Learning your dog’s personality will help you train and communicate clearly and effectively. Let’s look at the three most popular canine personality types.

Happy-Go-Lucky dogs are easygoing, friendly, and cooperative during puppyhood, often learning basic obedience naturally. Because they are so pleasant early on, many owners delay training, which can lead to problems once adolescence hits. During this stage, these dogs may become distracted, independent, or selectively obedient. Causes include good genetics, strong early socialization, and sometimes simple luck. Training must be fun and enthusiastic, but taken seriously, with commands practiced in different environments and around distractions. Obedience should become a consistent part of daily life—not just a novelty or a game.

The Shy Canine Personality

Shy dogs are often genetically predisposed to insecurity and develop fearfulness outside familiar environments. They may be harmless but struggle with everyday sights, sounds, people, and new experiences. These dogs may develop separation anxiety, destructive chewing, submissive urination, or chronic nervousness. Training a shy dog requires calm, steady leadership and gradual exposure to new objects, sounds, surfaces, and people. Progress is slow but meaningful when approached with patience and consistency.

Common Causes:

• poor early socialization
• unintentional reinforcement of fearful behavior
• weak breeding practices

These dogs may develop:

• separation anxiety

• destructive chewing

• submissive urination

• chronic nervousness

Hyperactive dogs seem to have endless energy, short attention spans, and difficulty settling down. They often pull on the leash, struggle to focus, and remain active for long periods. This personality does not improve with age unless boundaries, communication, and obedience training are firmly in place. Genetics, overstimulation, poor habits encouraged by owners, and even diet can contribute. These dogs may display selective hearing, poor manners, and constant movement. Training must slow the dog down—using calm, structured obedience work and avoiding overly excited praise until the dog can think clearly and respond appropriately.

Understanding your dog’s canine personality type gives you the tools to train more effectively and support your dog’s growth. Behavior modification takes time and patients. As you work with your dog, remember that simple interactions—like eye contact, touch, or talking—can become a dog’s trigger point, so stay mindful and intentional in every activity. Stay tuned for part two!

At Kasten’s Dog Training, we remain committed to helping you and your dog build a strong, positive relationship through practical training. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services so we can assist you in reaching your training goals!

The post Canine Personality Types – Part 1 appeared first on Kasten's Dog Training.

So Why Do They Lick? 

Dogs lick to show affection, communicate, explore their environment, or even to calm themselves. While occasional licking is normal, excessive licking in dogs may point to an underlying behavioral or medical issue. This guide explores the most common reasons behind dog licking behavior and when it may be time to seek professional help.

In most cases, licking is a behavioral habit rather than a medical concern. Dogs may lick themselves, furniture, other surfaces, or their owners.

Common behavioral reasons include:

• Boredom – Stress, or anxiety. Licking can release nervous energy.

• Self-soothing – Similar to how repetitive actions calm people, licking can comfort dogs.

• Affection – A “hello lick” is often a sign of love.

• Habit – Once established, licking can become routine.
• “Grooming” lick – Usually after sniffing your skin for a few moments.
• Exploration – Puppies use their tongues to investigate new things.

• Taste – Dogs may enjoy the salty taste of human skin.

• “Please Stop” lick – Falls within the context of being touched in a way a dog might find aversive; may be asking you politely to stop touching them.

If your dog’s licking leads to hot spots, hair loss, or skin irritation:

• Redirect their focus with toys, chews, or interactive games.

• Provide mental stimulation through training or puzzle feeders.

• Use positive reinforcement. Reward your dog when they stop licking on command (e.g., “Leave it”).

While less common, excessive licking can also signal an underlying medical issue. If your dog suddenly starts licking more than usual, or if the behavior is paired with skin changes, consult your veterinarian.

Possible medical causes include:

•  Allergies – Itchy skin or paws often lead to persistent licking.

• Infections – Bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections can cause irritation.

• Pain – Dogs may lick sore joints or injuries, much like humans rub an aching muscle.

• Gastrointestinal issues – Some dogs lick unusual surfaces when experiencing nausea or stomach discomfort.

If you notice excessive licking in dogs that results in skin damage, or if the behavior seems sudden and unusual, it’s best to consult a veterinarian. A professional can determine whether the cause is behavioral, medical, or a combination of both.

So, why do dogs lick? The answer depends on context. Occasional licking is usually harmless and even affectionate. But when licking becomes excessive, compulsive, or damaging, it’s time to take action. For behavioral licking, focus on redirection, enrichment, and training. For medical concerns, seek veterinary guidance. By understanding dog licking behavior, you can better support your pet’s health, happiness, and overall well-being.

At Kasten’s Dog Training, we remain committed to helping you and your dog build a strong, positive relationship through practical training. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services so we can assist you in reaching your training goals!

The post Why Do Dogs Lick? Understanding Dog Licking Behavior appeared first on Kasten's Dog Training.

So What Causes a Dog to Not Come When Called?

There are a few reasons this happens.

First, lack of consistency and reward. When you call your dog to come, praise him each and every time he comes. Make a big deal about him coming. It doesn’t have to be a treat. It can be your affection and praise.  But you can use treats if you like; just don’t over do it. By consistently rewarding, your dog will come to you without a second thought. Even if you never taught your dog obedience in other areas, he would still come to you if you are his respected and loved leader. You should become his biggest reward.

Another reason is a lack of trust. Have you ever called your dog to you and then punished him for something he did previously? If he is smart, he sure isn’t going to risk punishment by coming to you the next time. Never punish your dog after he comes to you.

Lack of obedience training is another major cause. Most dogs are not leash trained consistently. If your dog doesn’t listen well on-leash, or in an isolated room without distractions, there is no reason to expect him to come when he is off-leash. If your dog is obedience trained, you have to practice recall as much as anything else. I tell my clients not to expect consistent off-leash results until their dog will obey them consistently on-leash.

How Do You Get Your Dog to Come When Called?

So, how do we correct these problems? You start from the very beginning and learn the right way to do the come command. Make the effort to build a trusting relationship with your dog, be patient. Results will come, but they will not happen overnight.  One good way to start – call your dog five times throughout the day while inside the house. When your dog arrives to you, mark this wanted behavior with, “Yes.” Reward, then walk away, continue with your tasks.  The reward can be treat, talk, or touch/affection. When you go into a new environment, say your dog’s name. Reward him each time he looks at you, giving you his attention. Again, do this five times.

Sometimes owners just need a strong foundation established by working with a professional trainer. They can help you speed up the process of getting your dog to come when called considerably.

Contact Us Today!

At Kasten’s Dog Training, we are committed to helping you and your dog build a strong, positive relationship through practical training. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services so we can assist you in reaching your training goals!

The post My Dog Won’t Come When Called appeared first on Kasten's Dog Training.