1. Do I leave the gate open when I leave for a short while or when my boyfriend leaves for example bathroom, kitchen, etc?
Depends if you want them to stay in the crate or to follow you. If it isn't close they will leave it and follow you to wherever you go.
2. Do I put their food in there when I do close it? Or do i put food in there when it's open?
Really depends on you. Some people like to feed their dog in their crates. Some don't. Some like to keep food for their pup all the time, some don't.
I have 4 dogs and I like to feed them in the crate with it closed. The reason why I do it is because if I feed them outside of their crate, they play musical food bowl and I can't tell how much each dog ate.
I did praise them each for going in there on their
own. I let them go in and out on their own. When they went in on their own, I praised them, closed the door slowly, praised again and then said be right back, and left for 5 minutes. and came back and praised them. i again said be right back and this time left for ten minutes, came back praised them for not crying or whining or barking! ..
Good Job!
Tip: Praised them when they are in the crate. Not when they are out of the crate.
Sounds like you are doing a good job!!
