Family gatherings, birthdays, special occasions, and the holiday season are fun for humans but not always for dogs. Prolonged exposure to all that excitement is stressful for the family pooch. Fortunately, proper crate training can provide them with a safe, comfortable, quiet alternative any time they need it.
What is crate training?
Crate training teaches your dog to willingly enter and remain in a humane, contained enclosure for reasonable periods of time. It’s great for travel, transport, or during emergencies, but applies in many situations. Crates are a godsend in multi-pet households, but can also be your one and only pooch’s favorite refuge. Although some dogs never adapt, the vast majority learn to accept, even love, their crate: it’s their den. When introduced properly, the crate gives them a sense of security and independence in everyday life.
A crate is a
- Cozy refuge where your dog can relax
- Separate place to eat undisturbed
- Bed and place to sleep
- Playpen for unsupervised young puppies
- Great house-training tool: dogs like to keep their den area clean
- Safe place to recover from injury or illness
A crate is NOT a
- Cage
- Punishment
- Substitute for family time, exercise, or obedience training
- Place to confine a dog with another animal
- Place to confine your dog for extended periods (longer than they can comfortably wait between potty breaks)
Introducing your dog to a crate
The right crate for your circumstances will depend on dog size, intended use, and other factors. Whatever model you’re using, the idea is to appeal to your pet’s denning instinct. Some dogs naturally gravitate to an open crate placed in their room or play area and require little to no training. Others need a little help. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Choose the right size: big enough for your dog to sit, turn around, and lie down.
- Make it inviting with a bed, chew-toy, tasty treat, privacy cover.
- Leave the door open at first.
- Feed in the crate, with the door open if necessary.
- Once your dog is comfortable moving freely in and out, close the door for short periods (5-10 mins.) that you increase over time. Follow with praise and treats.
- Always let crated dogs rest undisturbed.
Puppy crate training
Crate training is similar with puppies. However, because they want to be near you, they may fuss more when first closed in. Initially, times may need to be kept very short. Follow the guidelines above, with these additions:
- Start with a smaller crate because a puppy may still potty inside if the container is too large.
- Place the crate where your puppy can see and smell you.
- Use the crate for nap time. It’s usually easier to crate train when you puppy is sleepy.
- When possible, open the door when your pup is quiet or during a whining lull.
- Always take your pup straight outside to potty after crate time (reinforces house training).
Before long, your puppy will be bouncing in and out of the crate on her own!
