Crate Training
Utilizing a crate for your dog can be very positive for both you and the dog. Dogs are den animals and if the crate is properly introduced and use appropriately, dogs see it as a safe, secure relaxing space of their very own. Do you not like the idea of a crate? Not surprising… YOU are not a den animal.
The key to crate training, for any age of dog, is to make the crate a happy place to be. Never use the crate for punishment and never force a dog into a crate.
Crates are a part of life… staying at the vet for any length of time? Your dog is in a crate. Going to the groomer? Your dog is in a crate. Thinking of sending your dog to day care? Your dog needs to rest in a crate for naptime. Being transported in the car? (Hopefully) Your dog is in a crate. You can see, even if YOU do not want to utilize a crate for sleeping at home, crate training your dog essential to keeping them safe and happy. Knowing crates are a part of life, why cause your dog any unnecessary stress by not being crate trained?
For a puppy, crate training should start at 4 weeks of age. Your breeder or rescue group should place multiple small crates in the whelping area. Pups will naturally gravitate to the crates for comfort. As they do, and grow it will be naturally more comfortable for the pups to seek a crate out individually. This allows one to crate train with minimal effort. As the pups age, one will position crates farther and farther apart (eventually in separate rooms by 9 weeks of age), so by the time the pup is going to your new home they are already accustomed to sleeping alone in a crate at night.
If you are crate training your pup or dog for the first time begin with a crate that fits them comfortably. Your dog should be able to walk into the crate with out ducking his head. He should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably in the crate. For puppies, we suggest a Life Stages Crate (available at PetStop). These crates have barriers you can use to make a larger crate smaller for your puppy. (We don’t want the crate too big for puppy or they may eliminate in the crate and sleep at the other end)
Set the crate up in a quiet but not far from family activity. Open the crate door and secure it to prevent it from closing suddenly on your dog. Now go a bout your day… let pup explore the crate on his own. Toss treats in every so often; once pup is happy to go in begin to feed your pup in the crate. Play games with the crate by tossing a new toy in the crate. Never force your pup into the crate and don’t use the crate for punishment.
Once puppy is eating in the crate (door is still open all the time) at one feeding, put a few kibbles in the crate and when he walks in gently close the door. Immediately praise him and give him more kibble (thru the door/grate), do this for 5 minutes. The rewards all happen INSIDE the crate with door closed. Begin to extend the time he is in the crate, and begin to walk out of site of the crate. Go slow, never pushing puppy to far too fast. Be sure the rewards happen in the crate not when the puppy leaves the crate. Puppy is learning its much more fun to be in that outside the crate.
Graduate to a high value chew like a pizzle or peanut butter stuffed Kong or other interactive food stuffed toy.
As puppy feels more confident and secure you can begin to extend his time in the crate.
Other Tips:
Your pup can sleep all night in the crate but only up to 4 hrs during waking hours before needing an active break of at least 60 minutes.
Make sure pup is well exercised and has fully eliminated before going into crate.
Don’t get excited and praise your pup as the exit or after they come out of the crate.
Never allow a pup to leave a crate if they are fussing, whining or barking. If they are, realize YOU went too far too fast and you need to take more time. But you’ll have to wait for pup to be quiet before letting them out.
Be sure to practice crate time when you are home and doing normal activity, not just when you leave.
A comfortable bed inside the crate is essential.
Good Luck. A crate trained dog is a happy dog
Utilizing a crate for your dog can be very positive for both you and the dog. Dogs are den animals and if the crate is properly introduced and use appropriately, dogs see it as a safe, secure relaxing space of their very own. Do you not like the idea of a crate? Not surprising… YOU are not a den animal.
The key to crate training, for any age of dog, is to make the crate a happy place to be. Never use the crate for punishment and never force a dog into a crate.
Crates are a part of life… staying at the vet for any length of time? Your dog is in a crate. Going to the groomer? Your dog is in a crate. Thinking of sending your dog to day care? Your dog needs to rest in a crate for naptime. Being transported in the car? (Hopefully) Your dog is in a crate. You can see, even if YOU do not want to utilize a crate for sleeping at home, crate training your dog essential to keeping them safe and happy. Knowing crates are a part of life, why cause your dog any unnecessary stress by not being crate trained?
For a puppy, crate training should start at 4 weeks of age. Your breeder or rescue group should place multiple small crates in the whelping area. Pups will naturally gravitate to the crates for comfort. As they do, and grow it will be naturally more comfortable for the pups to seek a crate out individually. This allows one to crate train with minimal effort. As the pups age, one will position crates farther and farther apart (eventually in separate rooms by 9 weeks of age), so by the time the pup is going to your new home they are already accustomed to sleeping alone in a crate at night.
If you are crate training your pup or dog for the first time begin with a crate that fits them comfortably. Your dog should be able to walk into the crate with out ducking his head. He should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably in the crate. For puppies, we suggest a Life Stages Crate (available at PetStop). These crates have barriers you can use to make a larger crate smaller for your puppy. (We don’t want the crate too big for puppy or they may eliminate in the crate and sleep at the other end)
Set the crate up in a quiet but not far from family activity. Open the crate door and secure it to prevent it from closing suddenly on your dog. Now go a bout your day… let pup explore the crate on his own. Toss treats in every so often; once pup is happy to go in begin to feed your pup in the crate. Play games with the crate by tossing a new toy in the crate. Never force your pup into the crate and don’t use the crate for punishment.
Once puppy is eating in the crate (door is still open all the time) at one feeding, put a few kibbles in the crate and when he walks in gently close the door. Immediately praise him and give him more kibble (thru the door/grate), do this for 5 minutes. The rewards all happen INSIDE the crate with door closed. Begin to extend the time he is in the crate, and begin to walk out of site of the crate. Go slow, never pushing puppy to far too fast. Be sure the rewards happen in the crate not when the puppy leaves the crate. Puppy is learning its much more fun to be in that outside the crate.
Graduate to a high value chew like a pizzle or peanut butter stuffed Kong or other interactive food stuffed toy.
As puppy feels more confident and secure you can begin to extend his time in the crate.
Other Tips:
Your pup can sleep all night in the crate but only up to 4 hrs during waking hours before needing an active break of at least 60 minutes.
Make sure pup is well exercised and has fully eliminated before going into crate.
Don’t get excited and praise your pup as the exit or after they come out of the crate.
Never allow a pup to leave a crate if they are fussing, whining or barking. If they are, realize YOU went too far too fast and you need to take more time. But you’ll have to wait for pup to be quiet before letting them out.
Be sure to practice crate time when you are home and doing normal activity, not just when you leave.
A comfortable bed inside the crate is essential.
Good Luck. A crate trained dog is a happy dog
Thanks, Angi. Good reminder for me to get on crate-training the Porch Boys. Will share.
ReplyDeleteCrate games are also fun! I highly recommend Susan Garrett's DVD.
ReplyDeleteI've found that the dogs are starting to respond to certain cues that I unintentionally trained- i.e. running into their crates when they hear the electric toothbrush shut off because they think it's bed time!
I am from Vermont.
ReplyDeleteRecently I bough a dog kennel for my cute dog.
I like this one.
ReplyDeleteI am planning to buy a crate for my dog but I heard that it is hard to train a dog to go inside a crate that is why I am looking for a post like this where I can get some ideas on how to do it the easiest way.
ReplyDeleteohh.. this dog looks so sad..
ReplyDeletesome of nice thoughts i have found on this blog, keep doing good work.
ReplyDeleteCrate Training