Crate training your dog plays a crucial role in housetraining. It not only imparts proper behavior in your home but also provides a secure and comfortable haven for your dog when they need it. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog, crate training can be beneficial. Nevertheless, the earlier you commence this training, the more effective it will be.
Crate training offers numerous advantages for both you and your dog. It helps them understand where they should and shouldn’t relieve themselves. Additionally, it curbs their tendency to chew on your belongings and furniture in your absence. Finally, it ensures their safety when they’re alone or during travel.
Your dog’s crate serves as a secure haven, offering them a sense of security and tranquility. To ensure the well-being of both you and your dog, we have created this indispensable guide to dog crate training, complete with our top tips.
Types of Dog Crates
Various types of dog crates are available, such as fabric, plastic, and metal, each offering comfort and safety. Your dog’s crate should provide ample space for them to stand up and turn around. If your pup is still in the growing phase, opt for a crate size that will accommodate their adult dimensions.
Guide to Crate Training Your Dog Step by Step
Reminder: Always refrain from using your dog’s crate as a form of punishment. Using the crate in this manner can not only distress and bewilder your dog but also undermine all the diligent training and effort you’ve invested thus far.
Step 1: Introduce Your Dog to a Crate
The initial step in crate training your dog is the introduction. Begin gradually and allow your dog to acclimate to the crate. It’s essential for your dog to associate the crate with safety and contentment, making the first impressions during this initial stage of utmost importance.
We suggest situating your crate in a communal area of your home, as it helps your dog feel more comfortable. Once you’ve positioned it, place a soft blanket inside and remove the door – the objective is to make the crate as inviting as can be! Additionally, it’s important for your dog to perceive the crate as a secure haven, rather than a daunting, confining enclosure.
While some dogs may grasp this concept swiftly, others might require a bit more encouragement. In such instances, gently call your dog over to the crate using a cheerful, upbeat tone. After achieving this successfully, you can create a trail of your dog’s favorite treats leading into the crate. This method should help your dog feel more at ease, and with luck, they will follow the treat trail into the crate. It’s important to keep in mind that this process can vary in duration, taking anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or even days, so it’s essential to maintain as much patience as possible.
Step 2: Feed Your Dog in The Crate
Following the introduction of your dog to its crate, it’s beneficial to establish a positive association with the experience, and what could be more positive for a dog than food? To accomplish this, begin by providing your dog with its meal inside the crate. If your dog still appears somewhat apprehensive, you can position the meal closer to the crate’s entrance. This constructive connection will help your dog feel comfortable and foster a positive association with the crate.
After your dog has confidently entered the crate and started eating, you can gently close the door until they have finished their meal. During the initial attempts, promptly reopen the door once they’ve completed eating, and gradually extend the time with each subsequent meal, leaving the crate door closed for a few extra minutes each time. We advise keeping your dog in the crate for approximately 10 minutes after they’ve finished their meal.
You might notice that your dog starts whining to be released from the crate. If this occurs, it’s possible that you extended the duration too rapidly. In that case, during the next session, aim for a shorter period in the crate. However, it’s crucial that once your dog becomes accustomed to the routine, you refrain from letting them out when they begin to whine. Doing so would teach them that whining results in their release from the crate, and they may continue this behavior.
Step 3: Extend Your Dog’s Stay in The Crate
After your dog has grown at ease within the crate and displays no fear or anxiety, you can gradually increase the duration of their stay inside. When you are present to supervise, initiate this process by encouraging your dog to enter the crate. Once they’ve complied, offer praise, a treat, and then proceed to close the door.
Subsequently, remain near the crate in silence for a few minutes before moving to another room. Upon your return, sit quietly once more for a few minutes before opening the crate and allowing them to exit. Reiterate this procedure multiple times daily, gradually extending the duration of your absence.
For successful crate training, it’s important to consistently provide your dog with a chew toy or some form of entertainment. Once your dog can stay calm and relaxed for 30 minutes or longer, you can gradually introduce the idea of keeping them in the crate overnight and when you’re away from home. When extending the duration your dog spends in the crate, it’s crucial to maintain a low-key approach during your departures and arrivals. Excessive emotions can trigger anxiety and stress, which you’ll want to avoid at all costs.
If you’re training your dog to stay in the crate at night, it’s advisable to position the crate as near to your location as possible. This way, you’ll be able to hear them if they whine and need to be let outside for a bathroom break.
Step 4: Responding to Whining
When people initially leave their dog in the crate, it’s not uncommon to hear some whining. However, it can be challenging to determine whether they are whining to be let out or whining to indicate their need for a bathroom break. The simplest way to differentiate between these whines is to wait for a brief period to see if it persists. Then, take your dog outside, but maintain a strict “business only” approach. By doing this, you can discern whether your dog was testing your response or genuinely needed to go outside.
Some Safety Tips to Follow for the Crate Training of Your Dog
- When placing your dog in the crate, remove all chains and training collars. Leaving them on could pose a significant risk to your dog. However, if it’s necessary to keep a collar on, opt for a safer “break-away” type collar.
- Puppies under the age of six months should not be confined in a crate for longer than three or four hours at a stretch. At this age, they don’t have the ability to regulate their bladders and bowels for extended periods. The same applies to older dogs in the process of house training.
- Avoid teasing your dog while it’s in the crate, and ensure that children do not insert their fingers through the crate panels.
- Refrain from leaving your dog in the crate for extended durations. Every dog requires exercise and human interaction, and the absence of these may lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.
- Under no circumstances should you leave your dog in a crate in a hot room, under direct sunlight both indoors and outdoors, or in a car on a sunny day.
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