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Crate training

Used properly, a crate can be an invaluable and useful training tool. The main purpose of using a crate is to provide security, safety and protection for your puppy or dog.  By providing a crate for your puppy or dog, you can fulfill his natural need for a den.  It is also a useful tool to aid house training.  It works on the principle that a dog does not like to dirty in his sleeping area. A crate can also help in reducing separation anxiety, prevention of destructive behaviour (such as chewing furniture and furnishings) and to keep a puppy safe and away from potentially dangerous items within the household (such as electric wires, cleaning products, etc).

Many people think that a crate looks like a “doggy jail”, but you will find, that when introduced properly, your puppy or dog will love having his “own space” where he can go to chill out, sleep, be safe and secure.  This is why you should NEVER use the crate as a form of punishment – you will only turn your dog against it, cause him to fear it and be reluctant to go into it.   Going into his crate should only be associated with pleasant, happy experiences.

Size of crate

Most stores will have a guide for the type of dog to the size of crate, but, the crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up in without banging his head off the roof; be able to lie out at full stretch and to turn round in comfortably.  If you buy a crate for the size your puppy will be fully grown, the crate can be sectioned off while he is young.  You can use wood as dividers or some kind of metal grilling (be careful of the kind of metal you use though). You don’t want the crate area to be large enough for your puppy to go to the toilet in one end and go and sleep in the other!

Introducing your puppy or dog to a crate

Initially, the best place to site the new crate would be somewhere in the house where the dog can see the comings and goings of the household, hear and smell his family.  The kitchen, lounge or family room can be a good starting point – that way your puppy or dog won’t feel lonely or isolated when he’s in his crate.

Prepare the crate for it’s new occupant.  It should have soft, cosy bedding in it and perhaps a blanket draped over the back of it, to keep out draughts and afford some privacy and enhance the security that the crate will bring.  If your puppy chews any of the bedding you should remove it so that he can’t swallow any of the bits.  If he pees on any of the bedding, you should remove it and wash it as soon as possible to discourage him thinking that it’s the place to pee.  You can also add some favourite toys.  Ensure the toys are safe though – large enough not to be swallowed and remove any toys that are starting to disintegrate.

If your puppy is going to be in his crate for a long period of time, you can also provide fresh water for him.   You can get coop cups, which are specifically designed for use in crates.

When you start to introduce your puppy or dog to the crate, ensure that the door is secured open so that it can’t swing back and hit the puppy/dog – this could initiate fear of the crate.

So that your puppy or dog associates his crate with a pleasant experience, you can follow these steps for introducing him to it.

Start by dropping some treats or kibbles inside the crate.

1. While investigating his new crate, the pup will discover edible treasures, thereby reinforcing his positive associations with the crate.  You may also feed him in the crate to create the same effect.  If he hesitates, it often works to feed him in front of the crate, then right inside the doorway and then, finally, in the back of the crate.  Don't every force your puppy or dog into the crate - this will again only make it a negative thing to him.  Whenever your puppy or dog enters the crate, give him lots of praise.  Also use a word for him to associate with his crate, e.g. bed or kennel or something similar.

2. Once your puppy or dog is happy in the crate and perhaps eating his meal in there, you can close the door while he is eating and when he is finished, open the door.  You can lengthen the time you have the door closed after he finishes his meal, just to get him used to being in the crate for longer periods of time.  Try to time it though that you are opening the door and letting him out before he starts to whine or cry to get out.  If he does start to whine or cry, do not open the door to let him out or he will learn to associate whining and crying with being released from the crate.  Wait for his crying to subside before you let him out.

3. Once your puppy is happy in his crate, you can now ask him to go into his crate and close him in, gradually building up the length of time he is closed in for.  You should do this while you are at home so that he knows you are still there.  Encourage him into his crate with your chosen command and give him a treat once he is inside.  Then sit quietly near the  crate for five to ten minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time, then let him out of the dog crate. Repeat this process several times a day. With each repetition, gradually increase the length of time you leave him in the dog crate and the length of time you're out of his sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in the dog 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 to achieve, depending on the age and temperament of your dog.

4. If you’re crating your dog before you go out, call him to his crate with the usual command and give him a treat.  You can also leave some safe toys with him.  A Kong stuffed with something tasty is one suggestion.  Don’t make your departure an issue.  Briefly praise him, give him his treat for entering his crate and his chosen toy and then leave quietly. When you return, don’t get your dog over excited about your return.  Keep your arrival home as low key as your departure. Calmly and quietly let him out of his crate when he is nice and calm – if he is overexcited at your return, wait for him to calm down before you let him out of his crate.

   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.

5. When using the crate for your puppy or dog to sleep in overnight, it is helpful to place the crate either in your bedroom or near hand in the beginning.  This is so that if your puppy needs to go out to the toilet during the night, you can hear him and attend to him.  Even with an older dog, it is useful to initially let him sleep near you so that he doesn’t associate the crate with social isolation.  Once he is happily sleeping the night in his crate you can begin to move it to your chosen position.

Accidents in the crate

Do not ever punish your puppy or dog for having an accident in his crate. Simply remove him from the crate, remove his bedding, clean the crate out with an appropriate cleaning solution (do not use ammonia based cleaning products or bleach) and replace his bedding with fresh. Do not make any kind of issue of any mishaps.

Additional information

Always remove your puppy or dog’s collar before crating him.  It is very easy for a collar to get caught in the bars of a crate.

Do not allow children to go into or harass your puppy or dog while he is in his crate.  His crate is his haven for peace and tranquility and that should be respected.

Do not crate your puppy or dog for extremely long periods of time.  The following is a guideline:

If you need to leave your dog any longer then 4 hours, alternative arrangements should be made e.g. with a friend or neighbour to look after the dog or call in a pet sitter or dog walker. If you are away for most or all of the day, consider the option of putting your dog into kennels.

Copyright © Dogs & Co 2009 unless otherwise stated

Updated July 2009