It is essential that only positive reward based training methods are used. To maximise benefits and minimise unexpected problems, it is strongly recommended to work with a reward based trainer. Not every dog will adapt to crate training so if your dog is not comfortable being in the crate, it is essential to seek advice from a reward based trainer. It is important to remember the crate should always be associated with something positive, e. What are the benefits of crate training my dog?
Ensure your dog has multiple opportunities to go to the toilet such as after waking up, after eating, and after playing, especially if they are a puppy as they are unable to control their bladder for long periods of time [ 1 ]. Also, whilst you are absent for short periods of time, a crate prevents your dog from accessing potentially dangerous items in the house including electrical cables which they may chew. Allowing you to easily confine your dog when necessary without stressing the dog, such as after surgery or an injury.
How do I crate train my dog? Picking the right crate — crates are available from most pet stores, and should be good quality and sturdy, so your dog does not injure themselves if they try to escape. A crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up, lie down, stretch and turn around. If you have a puppy, ensure you get a large enough crate to suit their adult size or upgrade to a larger crate when they are fully grown.
Can house train your dog quickly by using the confinement to encourage control, establish a regular routine for outdoor elimination, and prevent accidents at night or when your dog is left alone.
Can effectively confine your dog at times when she may be under foot i. Your dog… Can enjoy the privacy and security of a den of her own, to which she can retreat when tired, stressed or not feeling well. Can avoid much of the fear, confusion and anxiety caused by your reaction to problem behavior. Can more easily learn to control her bowels and to associate elimination only with the outdoors. Can be spared the loneliness and frustration of having to be isolated, in the basement or outdoors, from indoor family surroundings when she needs to be restricted from certain things.
Can be more conveniently included in family outings and trips instead of being left behind alone. Share This.
If your dog is comfortable with the door closed for a few seconds, gradually increase the time the dog is in the crate. Remember to keep using a release cue to tell the dog that he can leave. If your dog does not have a problem remaining in the crate calmly for several minutes, start closing the door and ducking out of sight for a second before returning. Gradually build up the amount of time your dog is in the kennel.
If the dog starts to whine, ignore him, letting the dog out once he is calm. If you want to leave your dog in the crate for longer periods, try putting a stuffed Kong, a bully stick, or a safe chewie into the crate as well. All through this training process it is important to be patient and not to push your dog.
Ask for what your dog is comfortable with rather than forcing your dog to do what you want. Crate training is best done in baby steps. If you can get your dog or puppy comfortable with the crate before the first night in it, your odds of getting a good sleep that night will be much higher. Once your dog is crate trained and house trained fully, you can leave the dog in a crate for up to 8 hours. The dog should have good exercise before and after, and should be left in the crate with something safe to occupy his attention.
Your dog will likely spend most of the time sleeping! Younger puppies cannot be left in a crate for as long as 8 hours. Physically, puppies cannot hold their bladders long enough, and it isn't fair to ask for that.
A good general rule to follow is one hour in the crate for each month of age. A three-month-old puppy should be fine in the crate for three hours. Puppies should sleep in their crates at night, as this helps them learn to sleep through the night. Place the crate directly beside your bed in early first training so that your puppy will not feel lonely and frightened, and can wake you easily in the middle of the night for a bathroom break.
While some dogs take naturally to a crate, others are not as eager. If your dog whines, cries, and puts up a fuss that keeps you awake, it's easy to give in and let him out of the crate and into your bed to sleep. Therefore, it is essential that your dog or puppy never learns that whining, crying, and barking will get open the crate and earn an invitation to your bed.
Be patient and consistent with the message that calm behavior is the key to being let out. Wait for even a few seconds of silence before opening the door.
Be strong and you will make it through the first few nights. Set up a puppy's crate with a hot water bottle and a blanket that has your scent on it. This will help the puppy feel more secure and will be reminiscent of sleeping close to his canine mom and littermates. Remember, your puppy has just been taken away from his family. Everything he knows has changed and he is likely frightened and confused.
A crate can also be used as an effective and humane punishment. As long as the crate has lots of positive value built up, you can use it as an occasional time-out zone. If crate training is done properly, your pup will be conditioned to relax and settle inside the crate. Putting an unruly pup into a crate as a time-out for a few minutes teaches him to settle, and also removes all reinforcing stimulus for his "naughty" behavior.
However, if you are resorting to putting your dog in time-out multiple times per day, you risk developing a negative association with the crate. The crate should be used in this way as a last resort, and only if redirecting to an appropriate behavior or ignoring the undesirable behavior does not work. I have fostered and raised many puppies, and can't imagine doing it without creating a positive association with the crate.
Within a very short time, most of the dogs that attend our dog daycare program enter their crates easily when we ask.
In addition to the value of a crate at home, having a crate-trained dog is wonderful when you are travelling, when your dog needs to go to the vet or groomer, or if you plan to compete in any dog sports.
Trained properly with positive reinforcement and patience, the crate becomes a safe place for a dog. You will find that your dog uses the crate on his own when he is tired, and enters willingly and eagerly when asked. All it takes is an investment of time and a few treats to end up with a happy dog and a happy human!
With an impressive educational background and experience that includes fostering dogs as well as training them, Sarah is particularly interested in helping puppies, newly adopted dogs, and dogs that have behavioral issues. Sign up for our newsletters and get articles, new products, events, and exclusive deals sent directly to your inbox! Have Questions? A bonus, not a penalty Many people refuse to crate or kennel-train their dogs because they feel the confinement is cruel.
Some crates double as furniture!
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