Crate Training Your Dog

Crate training your dog can take a lot of effort and be quite time consuming but is useful in a variety of situations and is well worth your time. If you have a puppy or a new dog, you can use a crate to limit access to the house until your new companion learns all of the house rules. Along with being great in the house, a crate is the safest way of transporting your dog when in the car, as well as when taking it places where it may not be able to run around freely. If you can properly train your dog to use a crate, they will think of it as a safe place and won’t mind spending time there if needed.

Selecting A Crate

There are many style options when selecting a crate, so please don’t go into the process thinking that you’ll be forced to buy your dog a cold, ugly, and sterile looking cage.  The 3 main materials crates are made from are plastic, metal, or nylon.   Dog crates come in a variety of different sizes and can be purchased at most pet stores. Your dog’s crate should only be large enough for them to stand up and turn around, if they cannot do this the crate is too small.

Crate Training Process

Depending on your dog’s temperament and age, crate training can take days or weeks. When training, it is important to keep two things in mind. Training needs to take place in a series of small steps and not be rushed, and the crate should always be associated with something positive and not used as a punishment.

Step 1: Introducing Your Dog To The Crate

Place the dog’s crate in an area of the house where the family spends a lot of time. Make sure there is a soft towel, cushion, or blanket in the crate. Show your dog the crate and talk to them in a happy tone. Make sure that the door is fastened securely open so it won’t hit your dog and scare them.

To encourage your dog to enter the crate, place small treats near it, then right inside the door, and finally all the way inside the crate. If your dog refuses to go all the way into the crate, do not force them. Continue to toss treats in the crate until your dog comfortably enters, and if that doesn’t work try their favorite toy. This step in the training process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days.

Step 2: Feeding Your Dog Their Meals In The Crate

After you introduce your dog to the crate you can begin feeding them their regular meals in or near the crate. This helps to create a pleasant association with the crate. If your dog is still hesitant to enter the crate, place the food dish only as far in as the dog will go without becoming fearful. Each time you feed the dog, push the dish a little further into the crate.

Once your dog is comfortably in the crate to eat, you can close the door while they are eating. At first, you should open the door as soon as the dog finishes their meal. With each feeding you can leave the door closed a few minutes longer until the dog is staying in the crate for about ten minutes after eating.

Step 3: Conditioning Your Dog To Stay In The Crate For Longer Time Periods

After your dog is used to eating their regular meals in the crate with no anxiety or fear, you can confine them for short time periods while you are at home. Call the dog over to the crate and give them a treat, then give the command to enter the crate. Encourage your dog by pointing inside the crate with a treat in your hand. Once your dog enters the crate, give them the treat and praise and shut the door. Sit quietly near the crate for a few minutes, and then go into another room for a few minutes. When you return to the room, again sit quietly for a few minutes then let your dog out of the crate. Gradually increase the amount of time your are leaving your dog in the crate, and once they are comfortable staying in the crate for thirty minutes or more you can start leaving them crated for short time periods when you go out. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Too Much Crate Time

Your dog’s crate is not a magical solution, if it is not used correctly your dog will feel frustrated and trapped. If your dog is crated all day while you are at work and then it is crated again all night, the dog is spending too much time in a confined space. In this case, other arrangements should be made to accommodate your pet. It is also important to remember that puppies younger than six months old should never be in a crate for more than three to four hours at a time as they are not able to control their bladders as well as older dogs.

Crate Training Resources

• Crate Training – An article from the Humane Society of the US featuring tips for crate training your dog.
• How To Crate Train – Information on how to crate train as well as the advantages of using a crate.
• What Is Crate Training – An article explaining how proper crate training is not an act of cruelty.
• Crate Training Puppies – Information and tips on how to crate train puppies as opposed to older dogs.
• Crate Training Schedules – Schedules to help with crate training your dog, from nine week old puppies to adult dogs.