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Crate Training Puppies and Crate Training Dogs
Crate Training your dog-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 her access to the house until she learns all the house rules. A dog crate is also a safe way of transporting your dog in the car, as well as a way of taking her places where she may not be welcome to run freely. If you properly train your dog to use a dog crate, she'll think her dog crate is a safe place and will be happy to spend time in her dog crate when needed.
The Crate Training Process-Crate training puppies or crate training dogs 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 puppies and crate training dogs: dog crates should always be associated with something pleasant, and crate training should take place in a series of small steps - don't go too fast. |
Step 1: Introducing Your Dog To The Crate-Put the dog crate or dog kennel in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Put soft dog kennel covers or a towel in the dog crate. Bring your dog over to the dog crate and talk to her in a happy tone of voice. Make sure the dog crate door is securely fastened opened so it won't hit your dog and frighten her.
To encourage your dog to enter the dog crate, drop some small food treats near it, then just inside the door, and finally, all the way inside the dog crate. If she refuses to go all the way in at first, that's okay - don't force her to enter. Continue tossing treats into the dog crate until your dog will walk calmly all the way into the dog crate to get the food. If she isn't interested in treats, try tossing a favorite toy in the dog kennel. This step may take a few minutes or as long as several days. crate training takes time and patience for dogs, puppies and pet owners.
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Step 2: Feeding Your Dog His Meals In The Crate-After introducing your dog to the dog crate or dog kennel, begin feeding her regular meals near the dog crate. This will create a pleasant association with the dog crate. If your dog is readily entering the dog crate when you begin Step 2, put the food dish all the way at the back of the dog crate. If your dog is still reluctant to enter the dog crate, put the dish only as far inside as she will readily go without becoming fearful or anxious. Each time you feed her, place the dish a little further back in the dog kennel.
Once your dog is standing comfortably in the dog crate to eat her meal, you can close the door while she's eating. At first, open the door as soon as she finishes her meal. With each successive feeding, leave the door closed a few minutes longer, until she's staying in the dog crate for ten minutes or so after eating. If she begins to whine to be let out, you may have increased the length of time too quickly in the dog crate. Next time, try leaving her in the dog crate for a shorter time period. If she does whine or cry in the crate, it's imperative that you not let her out until she stops. Otherwise, she'll learn that the way to get out of the dog crate is to whine, so she'll keep doing it. |
Step 3: Conditioning Your Dog To The Crate For Longer Time Periods-After your dog is eating her regular meals in the dog crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, you can confine her there for short time periods while you're home. Call her over to the dog crate and give her a treat. Give her a command to enter such as, "kennel up." Encourage her by pointing to the inside of the dog crate with a treat in your hand. After your dog enters the dog kennel, praise her, give her the treat and close the door. Sit quietly near the dog 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 her out of the dog crate. Repeat this process several times a day. With each repetition, gradually increase the length of time you leave her in the dog crate and the length of time you're out of her 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 her crated when you're gone for short time periods and/or letting her 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 dog crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving her crated for short periods when you leave the house. Put her in the dog crate using your regular command and a treat. You might also want to leave her with a few safe dog toys in the dog crate. You'll want to vary at what point in your "getting ready to leave" routine you put your dog in the dog crate. Although she should not be crated for a long time before you leave, you can crate her anywhere from five to 20 minutes prior to leaving. Do not make your departures emotional and prolonged, but matter-of-fact. Praise your dog briefly, give her a treat for entering the dog kennel and then leave quietly. When you return home, do Not reward your dog for excited behavior by responding to her in an excited, enthusiastic way. Keep arrivals low key. Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you are home so she does not associate crate training with being left alone. |
Part B - Crating Your Dog At Night-Put your dog in the dog crate using your regular command and a treat. Initially, it may be a good idea to put the dog 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 will want to be able to hear your puppy when she whines to be let outside. Older dogs, too, should initially be kept nearby so that crate training does not become associated with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping comfortably through the night with her dog crate near you, you can begin to gradually move the dog crate or dog kennel to the location you prefer. |
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