Crate
training your dog may take some time and effort, but can be useful in a
variety of situations. If you have a new dog or puppy, you can use the
crate to limit his access to the house until he learns all the house
rules, such as what he can and can’t chew and where he can and can’t
eliminate. A crate is also a safe way of transporting your dog in the
car, as well as a way of taking him places where he may not be welcome
to run freely. If you
properly train your dog to use the crate, he
will think of it as his safe place and will be happy to spend time
there when needed. Always provide water for your dog anytime he is in
the crate. Spill proof bowls or bowls that attach to the kennel gate
work best.
Selecting A Crate
Crates may be plastic (often
called “flight kennels”) or collapsible, metal pens. Collapsible fabric
kennels are designed for use when the owner is present and may not
contain a dog for long periods while unsupervised. Crates come in
different sizes and can be purchased at most pet supply stores. Your
dog’s crate should be large enough for him to stand up and turn around
in.
The Crate Training Process
Crate training can take
days or weeks, depending on your dog’s age, temperament and past
experiences. It’s important to keep two things in mind while crate
training; one, the crate should always be associated with something
pleasant; and two, training should take place in a series of small
steps — don’t go too fast.
Step 1: Introducing Your Dog To The Crate
Ӣ
Put the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of
time, such as the family room. Put a soft blanket or towel in the
crate. Bring your dog over to the crate and talk to him in a happy tone
of voice. Make sure the crate door is securely fastened open so it
won’t hit your dog and frighten him.
Ӣ To encourage your dog to
enter the crate, drop small food treats near it, then just inside the
door, and finally, all the way inside the crate. If he refuses to go
all the way in at first, that’s okay — don’t force him to enter.
Continue tossing treats into the crate until your dog will walk calmly
all the way into the crate to get the food. If he isn’t interested in
treats, try tossing a favorite toy in the crate. This step may take a
few minutes or as long as several days.
Step 2: Feeding Your Dog His Meals In The Crate
Ӣ
After introducing your dog to the crate, begin feeding him his regular
meals near the crate. This will create a pleasant association with the
crate. If your dog is readily entering the crate when you begin Step 2,
put the food dish all the way at the back of the crate. If your dog is
still reluctant to enter the crate, put the dish only as far inside as
he will readily go without becoming fearful or anxious. Each time you
feed him, place the dish a little further back in the crate.
Ӣ
Once your dog is standing comfortably in the crate to eat his meal, you
can close the door while he’s eating. At first, open the door as soon
as he finishes his meal. With each successive feeding, leave the door
closed a few minutes longer, until he’s staying in the crate for 10
minutes or so after eating. If he begins to whine to be let out, you
may have increased the length of time too quickly. Next time, try
leaving him in the crate for a shorter time period. If he does whine or
cry in the crate, it’s imperative that you not let him out until he
stops. Otherwise, he’ll learn that the way to get out of the crate is
to whine and he’ll keep doing it.
Step 3: Conditioning Your Dog To The Crate For Longer Time Periods
Ӣ
After your dog is eating his regular meals in the crate with no sign of
fear or anxiety, you can confine him there for short time periods while
you’re home. Call him over to the crate and give him a treat. Give him
a command to enter, such as, “kennel up.” Encourage him by pointing to
the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand. After your dog
enters the crate, praise him, give him the treat and close the door.
Sit quietly near the crate for five to 10minutes and then go into
another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short
time, then let him out of the crate.
Ӣ Repeat this process several
times a day. With each repetition, gradually increase the length of
time you leave him in the crate and the length of time you’re out of
his sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in the crate for about 30
minutes with you out of sight the majority of the time, you can begin
leaving him crated when you’re gone for short time periods and/or
letting him sleep there at night. This may take several days or several
weeks.
Step 4:
Part A — Crating Your Dog When Left Alone
After
your dog is spending about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming
anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving him crated for short periods
when you leave the house. Put him in the crate using your regular
command and a treat. You might also want to leave him with a few safe
toys in the crate (see our handout, “Dog Toys and How to Use Them”).
You’ll want to vary at what point in your “getting ready to leave”
routine you put your dog in the crate. Although he shouldn’t be crated
for a long time before you leave, you can crate him anywhere from five
to 20 minutes prior to leaving. Don’t make your departures emotional
and prolonged, but matter-of-fact. Praise your dog briefly, give him a
treat for entering the crate and then leave quietly. When you return
home, don’t reward your dog for excited behavior by responding to him
in an excited, enthusiastic way. Keep arrivals low key. Continue to
crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you’re home so
he doesn’t associate crating with being left alone.
Part B — Crating Your Dog At Night
Put
your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat.
Initially, it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or
nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need
to go outside to eliminate during the night, and you’ll want to be able
to hear your puppy when he whines to be let outside. Older dogs, too,
should initially be kept nearby so that crating doesn’t become
associated with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping comfortably
through the night with his crate near you, you can begin to gradually
move it to the location you prefer. Puppies that are healthy can have
their water taken from them a few hours before bedtime to help decrease
the frequency of potty trips they need to make during the night.
Potential Problems:
Too Much Time In The Crate
A
crate isn’t a magical solution. If not used correctly, a dog can feel
trapped and frustrated. For example, if your dog is crated all day
while you’re at work and then crated again all night, he’s spending too
much time in too small a space. Other arrangements should be made to
accommodate his physical and emotional needs. Also, remember that
puppies under 6 months of age shouldn’t stay in a crate for more than
three or four hours at a time. They can’t control their bladders and
bowels for longer periods.
Whining
If your dog whines or
cries while in the crate at night, it may be difficult to decide
whether he’s whining to be let out of the crate, or whether he needs to
be let outside to eliminate. If you followed the training procedures
outlined above, your dog hasn’t been rewarded for whining in the past
by being released from his crate. Try to ignore the whining. If your
dog is just testing you, he’ll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at
him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the
whining continues after you’ve ignored him for several minutes, use the
phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate. If he responds
and becomes excited, take him outside. This should be a trip with a
purpose, not play time. If you’re convinced that your dog doesn’t need
to eliminate, the best response is to ignore him until he stops
whining. Do not give in, otherwise you’ll teach your dog to whine loud
and long to get what he wants. If you’ve progressed gradually through
the training steps and haven’t done too much too fast, you will be less
likely to encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable,
you may need to start the crate training process over again.
Separation Anxiety
Attempting
to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety will not solve the
problem. A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive, but he
may injure himself in an attempt to escape from the crate. Separation
anxiety problems can only be resolved with counter-conditioning and
desensitization procedures (see our handout, “Separation Anxiety”).
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