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Crate Training
 If you like nothing
better than coming home from a hard day's work and finding that your dog
decided to "go" on the couch or use your favorite slippers as a new chew
toy, then crate training isn't for you. But, if you're like most people,
then using a crate to properly train your dog will be time well spent. Crate
training takes some time and effort, but it is a proven way to help train
dogs who act inappropriately without knowing any better. If you have a new
dog or puppy, you can use the crate to limit his access to the house until
he learns all the house rules—like what he can and can't chew on and where
he can and can't eliminate. A crate is also a safe way of transporting your
dog in the car or taking him places where he may not be welcome to run
freely. If you properly train your dog to use the crate, he'll think of it
as his safe place and will be happy to spend time there when needed.
Selecting a Crate
Crates may be plastic (often called "flight kennels") or collapsible,
metal pens. They come in different sizes and can be purchased at most pet
supply stores. Your dog's crate should be just large enough for him to stand
up and turn around in. If your dog is still growing, choose a crate size
that will accommodate his adult size. Block off the excess crate space so
your dog can't eliminate at one end and retreat to the other.
The Crate Training Process
Crate training 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: The crate should always be associated with something
pleasant, and training should take place in a series of small steps. Don't
go too fast.
Step 1: Introducing Your Dog to the Crate
- Place the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot
of time, such as the family room. Put a soft blanket or towel in the
crate. Bring your dog over to the crate and talk to him in a happy tone of
voice. Make sure the crate door is open and secured so that it won't hit
your dog and frighten him.
- To encourage your dog to enter the crate, drop some small food treats
nearby, then just inside the door, and finally, all the way inside the
crate. If he refuses to go all the way in at first, that's okay; don't
force him to enter. Continue tossing treats into the crate until your dog
will walk calmly all the way into the crate to get the food. If he isn't
interested in treats, try tossing a favorite toy in the crate. This step
may take a few minutes or as long as several days.
Step 2: Feeding Your Dog His Meals in the Crate
- After introducing your dog to the crate, begin feeding him his regular
meals near the crate. This will create a pleasant association with the
crate. If your dog is readily entering the crate when you begin Step 2,
place the food dish all the way at the back of the crate. If instead your
dog remains reluctant to enter the crate, put the dish only as far inside
as he will readily go without becoming fearful or anxious. Each time you
feed him, place the dish a little further back in the crate.
- Once your dog is standing comfortably in the crate to eat his meal,
you can close the door while he's eating. The first time you do this, open
the door as soon as he finishes his meal. With each successive feeding,
leave the door closed a few minutes longer, until he's staying in the
crate for ten minutes or so after eating. If he begins to whine to be let
out, you may have increased the length of time too quickly. Next time, try
leaving him in the crate for a shorter time period. If he does whine or
cry in the crate, it's imperative that you not let him out until he stops.
Otherwise, he'll learn that the way to get out of the crate is to whine,
so he'll keep doing it.
Step 3: Conditioning Your Dog to the Crate for Longer Time Periods
- After your dog is eating his regular meals in the crate with no sign
of fear or anxiety, you can confine him there for short time periods while
you're home. Call him over to the crate and give him a treat. Give him a
command to enter, such as "kennel." Encourage him by pointing to the
inside of the crate with a treat in your hand. After your dog enters the
crate, praise him, give him the treat, and close the door. 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 crate.
- Repeat this process several times a day. With each repetition,
gradually increase the length of time you leave him in the crate and the
length of time you're out of his sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in
the 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.
Step 4, Part A: Crating Your Dog When Left Alone
- After your dog can spend about 30 minutes in the crate without
becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving him crated for short
periods when you leave the house. Put him in the crate using your regular
command and a treat. You might also want to leave him with a few safe toys
in the crate. You'll want to vary at what point in your "getting ready to
leave" routine you put your dog in the crate. Although he shouldn't be
crated for a long time before you leave, you can crate him anywhere from
five to 20 minutes prior to leaving.
- Don't make your departures emotional and prolonged, but
matter-of-fact. Praise your dog briefly, give him a treat for entering the
crate, and then leave quietly. When you return home, don't reward your dog
for excited behavior by responding to him in an excited, enthusiastic way.
Keep arrivals low key to avoid increasing his anxiety over when you will
return. 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.
Step 4, Part B: Crating Your Dog at Night
- Put your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat.
Initially, it may be a good idea to put the 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'll want to be able to
hear your puppy when he whines to be let outside.
- Older dogs, too, should initially be kept nearby so that they don't
associate the crate with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping
comfortably through the night with his crate near you, you can begin to
gradually move it to the location you prefer, although time spent with
your dog—even sleep time—is a chance to strengthen the bond between you
and your pet.
Potential Problems
- Too Much Time In The Crate. A crate isn't a magical solution.
If not used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated. For example,
if your dog is crated all day while you're at work and then crated again
all night, he's spending too much time in too small a space. Other
arrangements should be made to meet his physical and emotional needs. Also
remember that puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate
for more than three or four hours at a time. They can't control their
bladders and bowels for longer periods.
- Whining. If your dog whines or cries while in the crate at
night, it may be difficult to decide whether he's whining to be let out of
the crate, or whether he needs to be let outside to eliminate. If you've
followed the training procedures outlined above, then your dog hasn't been
rewarded for whining in the past by being released from his crate. If that
is the case, try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you,
he'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate
will only make things worse.
If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes,
use the phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate. If he
responds and becomes excited, take him outside. This should be a trip with
a purpose, not play time. If you're convinced that your dog doesn't need
to eliminate, the best response is to ignore him until he stops whining.
Don't give in; if you do, you'll teach your dog to whine loud and long to
get what he wants. If you've progressed gradually through the training
steps and haven't done too much too fast, you'll be less likely to
encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need
to start the crate training process over again.
- Separation Anxiety. Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for
separation anxiety won't solve the problem. A crate may prevent your dog
from being destructive, but he may injure himself in an attempt to escape
from the crate. Separation anxiety problems can only be resolved with
counter-conditioning and desensitization procedures. You may want to
consult a professional animal-behavior specialist for help.
©2002. Adapted from material originally developed by
applied animal behaviorists at the Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado.
All rights reserved.
Up
Aggression
Barking
Basic Training Techniques
Caring for Your Dog
Choosing a Dog Trainer
Crate Training
Destructive Chewing
Digging
Dog Toys
Do You Chain Your Dog
Dominant Dogs
Eating Strange Objects
Escaping
Fear of Thunder
Fearful Dogs
Housetraining
How to Use a Head Halter
Introducing Pets to a New Dog
Positive Reinforcement
Puppy Behavior Basics
Puppy Chewing
Puppy Nipping and Rough Play
Separation Anxiety
Stay Dog Bite Free
Submissive and Excitement Urination
Urine-Marking Behavior
Using Aversives to Modify Your Dog's Behavior
Removing Pet Stains and Odors
Dog Who's Left Outside
Dogs and Pickup Trucks Don't Mix
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