Crate Training
Benefits of Crate Training
Crate training allows dog owners to confine their dog at times. Thus training the dog to accept the crate is beneficial.
A crate is useful as the dog can see out of them, letting them be aware of their surroundings, but confines them to a certain area during set periods. It allows the dog to be part of the group without interacting. This is usually a far better alternative to putting your dog outside.
Dogs that are crate trained will be less anxious and stressed when visiting and/or staying at a Veterinary Clinic.
Crates mean that your pet can be put away at times, when you are unable to watch them preventing ripped up furniture, stolen food etc.
Puppies will be easier toilet trained with the use of a crate. They will often hold on, not wanting to urinate or defecate in their bed. This way when you take them outside they have more chance of toileting there.
Crates become like a security blanket, i.e. if taken somewhere new, or in the car, your dog will feel much safer and less stressed when taken in his crate.
Choosing a Crate and Location
Start with a soft crate. Metal crates with removable floors are good for when dogs/pups are a bit older. Make sure there is enough room to stand up and turn around. Provide comfortable bedding and some treats at the start.
As dogs are pack animals, the best spot for a crate is a room where people frequent, such as the kitchen, living room, family room or bedroom. Remember crates are easily moved so it does not need to be a permanent location i.e. you may choose to let your pup sleep in your bedroom at the start. This does not mean he will always sleep there, you can move his crate to the laundry, garage etc. when he is older.
If your pup is crying at night try some background noise such as a radio or television to calm them.
The two most important things when crate training are: choosing a suitable location for the crate and slowly introducing the dog to confinement.
1. Set up the crate in a common room and open the door. Leave it open for several days and let your dog around it so that it becomes used to the crate. Start encouraging your dog to enter the crate by placing food treats and toys inside it. Keep the door open at this stage so that it can come and go. Match placing a food treat and your dog entering the crate with a hand signal pointing to the crate and saying “in your bed”. Also try playing games such as fetch into the crate. Remember we want the crate to be a positive environment.
2. Once the dog is freely entering the crate, leave a chewy treat such as a raw hide bone or Kong with treats in inside it. It can often be helpful to do this after a period of play so that your dog is less excitable and more settled. Once the dog is happy to remain in the crate for short periods of time, start closing the door whilst the dog is busy chewing on his bone or toy. Stay close by and open the door before the dog has finished.
3. The next step is to leave the door closed for progressively longer periods of time, even after the dog has finished with its toy or bone.
4. Finally, the dog should be left in the crate during bedtimes, and during departures (simply leaving the room can be departure). Try short departures first such as going into a different room, and then gradually make them longer. It is very important that the dog does not become distressed at any stage, so at the beginning stay close.
5. Only release the dog from the crate when it is quiet.
6. When your dog is not using the crate leave the door open so that it can come and go as it pleases.
7. Remember all forms of training take time. Make sure to always use the crate as a safe and positive place. NEVER send the dog to the crate as punishment. Don’t rush training and leave a young and unexperienced dog alone. Make sure to keep giving your dog attention, exercise and environmental enrichment. Play time is very important as well.
