Introduction
As your dog’s guardian, you want to give your new family member the best of everything, including structure and a feeling of security. The number one mistake people make when bringing a new dog home is giving the dog too much freedom too soon. Whether you’ve just brought home a new puppy or are working with an older dog, providing them with a crate gives them a safe and comfortable space to decompress and relax. It can also help with housebreaking and behavior management. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of crate training, offering tips and advice to ensure a smooth and positive experience for you and your pet.
Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash
Choosing the Right Crate
The first step in crate training is selecting the appropriate crate for your dog. Consider these factors when choosing one:
Potty Training - Will you be using the crate with a dog that hasn’t been housebroken yet? If yes, do NOT use any bedding until potty training is completed. Your un-housebroken dog will use anything absorbent to soil and then push it out of the way into a corner.
Size - Unlike humans, who love a good king-size bed, bigger isn’t better when it comes to crate size. Your dog should have enough room to settle comfortably, stand up, and turn around. However, it shouldn’t be so big that they can use one end as a bathroom when crated for extended periods. To ensure you select the proper size crate, measure your dog’s height and length. To measure their height, you want to measure from the bottom of their front paws to the top of their head. To measure body length, you want to measure from the tip of the snout to the rump just above the tail. You can also measure your dog’s width from shoulder to shoulder. Most crate sizing charts will list a width measurement, but the most important ones are the height and length.
Material - Crates are made of various materials, including wire, plastic, and fabric. Wire crates are often favored because they offer good ventilation and visibility and are relatively inexpensive compared to other options. Still, they aren’t always the best route to go. You’ll want to consider different scenarios when choosing the right crate, such as, is your dog a chewer or an escape artist? How strong are they?
Portability - The crate approximates a den in the wild, and portability allows you to keep the “den” close to the pack’s leader: you.
If you plan to use the crate for travel or move it around the house, consider its portability and ease of assembly. If you are in your vehicle a lot and your dog will be with you, would having a dedicated crate for your car be a better option than moving their regular crate all the time?
Introducing Your Dog to the Crate
Getting your dog comfortable with their crate is essential. Follow these steps:
Make It Inviting - Placing their bedding, toys, and tasty treats into the crate can make it appealing.
Positive Associations - Encourage your dog to enter the crate voluntarily by using treats and praise. NEVER force them inside. Forcing your dog into the crate can cause them to have a negative view of the crate and cause it to feel unsafe.
If the crate has two doors, open both and lure the dog in one door and out the other. Repeat many times. Make it fun for the dog to run in one door and out the other in pursuit of a treat or toy.
Mealtime in the Crate - Is your dog food-motivated? Use that to your advantage and feed your dog their meals near the crate, gradually moving the food inside. Doing this will help make time spent in the crate positive. Crate means food, and food is good.
Gradual Training - Crate training is all about patience and incremental progress:
Short Sessions - Start with short periods in the crate while you’re at home, gradually increasing the duration. This helps your dog get used to the crate without feeling anxious. Short sessions can also help you avoid becoming frustrated and overwhelmed as the guardian.
Distraction - Provide your dog with toys or chews to keep them occupied while in the crate. (Note that it’s essential to supervise your dog with any treat or toy, no matter the activity.)
Get Creative
When your dog is not in the crate, secretly stash tasty treats in the kennel. Let the dog discover the treats with their nose - which they absolutely will. After they go in to eat them, issue praise. Reward the dog with a treat as they exit. Then, hide more treats in the kennel and repeat the process.
Potty Breaks
The crate is the most effective way to potty train a dog. An average dog will not soil its den, where it eats and sleeps. Since the kennel is an approximation of the den, that’s why you should feed in the kennel. That’s also why you should only allow access to the chewy bone or food puzzle toy in the kennel.
The dog will spend so much energy mentally and physically that a nap will soon follow.
After all naps, your dog will have to pee, and approximately 10 minutes after waking up, give or take 5 minutes, they will have to poop. To ensure success, take your dog directly out to the potty location and remember to praise them when they go. They will remember that positive interaction and will want to do it again.
Alone Time
One of the primary goals of crate training is to help your dog feel comfortable when you’re not at home:
Gradual Alone Time - Start by leaving your dog in the crate for short intervals and gradually extend the time.
Ignore Whining - DO NOT pay attention to the dog if they begin whining, crying, or barking. Even looking at the dog will reinforce the whining, crying, or barking behavior, and it will increase in intensity. Instead, refuse to acknowledge the dog at all. It’s not easy. But eventually, the dog will stop vocalizing. Wait 5 to 10 seconds after the last vocalization, then reward the dog with your attention and let them out.
It’s common for dogs to whine or bark when first left alone in the crate. Be patient and do not give in to their demands. Resist the urge to baby-talk your dog while they are whining or barking in the crate. Doing so can have the reverse effect on what you are trying to do. While you are simply trying to comfort them, in their minds, the whining and barking gets them attention, so they will continue the behavior.
Comfort and Security
Ensure your dog has a few familiar items in the crate so it feels like a safe space.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
During the crate training process, be aware of some common mistakes:
Never Use It for Punishment
The crate should never be used as a punishment. It should always be a positive space for your dog, just as your home is for you. As your dog’s guardian, you want to establish a bond and trust with them. There will be times when discipline is needed, but using the crate to punish will have adverse effects and cause your dog to see the crate as something to be feared or disliked.
Consistency
Be consistent in your routine to help your dog understand expectations. Dogs are pack animals, and as their guardian, you are their leader. When you establish a routine and set those expectations, you set your dog up for success. They are hard-wired for that type of structure, and by being consistent and leading them, you are contributing to them feeling confident and happy.
Gradual Freedom
Once your dog is comfortable in the crate, allow supervised freedom around the house. A great transition step before free-roaming the house is to transition to an exercise pen.
Crate Training Graduation
It’s crucial to make sure that your dog is comfortable with the crate before you transition to using it as a tool for housebreaking and as a safe space when needed.
Safe Space
Your dog will learn to view the crate as a safe and secure den, a place to retreat to when they need a break.
Conclusion
Crate training is a valuable skill for any dog owner. With patience, consistency, and a focus on making the crate a positive experience, you can help your dog feel comfortable and secure while managing their behavior and housebreaking more effectively. Just like humans, each dog is different, and what works for one may not work for another when it comes to training. To ensure success, be prepared to adjust the training process to suit your dog’s individual needs. With a bit of patience and a lot of love, crate training can be a rewarding experience that benefits both you and your furry friend.
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