Crate Training – Help your dog LOVE his crate!

Crate Training: Making the Crate a Positive Space
Crate training your dog can be helpful especially with a new dog in your home. Crates can be a valuable management tool for dogs when introduced properly. They can serve as a safe, comfortable space for your dog to relax and adjust to new situations. However, without a gradual and positive introduction, dogs may develop a negative association with their crate. This guide will help you make the crate the best place in the house for your dog.
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The Value of a Crate
• Crates can be beneficial for housetraining and overall training.
• Dogs can enjoy having their own “room” where they can feel safe and retreat when tired, stressed or just need a break from day to day activities in the household.
• Crate-trained dogs can travel safely, stay in hotels, and adjust more easily to boarding or veterinary procedures.
• Properly used, crates are not cruel; they can be comforting for dogs when introduced positively.
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Making the Crate a “Great” Place
• Use Rewards: Introduce the crate with treats, food, and chewies to create a positive association. Think of these as the “bonus” that makes the crate enjoyable.
• Incorporate Meals: Feed at least one meal a day in the crate. This routine ensures consistency and reinforces the crate as a positive place and part of their daily routine.
• Special Treats: Reserve special treats for crate time only. For example, use a Kong toy filled with cream cheese, peanut butter, or canned food. You can freeze it for longer lasting fun.
• Comfort and Warmth: Add warm blankets fresh from the dryer or place the crate near a heating vent to make it cozy, especially for puppies or dogs that love warmth.
• Surprises: Hide treats or spread a thin line of peanut butter at the back of the crate to encourage your dog to explore and enjoy the space and create those positive associations.
• Calming Atmosphere: Play soothing music or use a sound machine. Dim lighting or a blanket draped over the crate can help create a peaceful environment.
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Introducing the Crate
1. Start Slow: Begin by placing food just inside the crate, gradually moving it toward the back.
2. Gradual Closure: Work up to closing the door slowly and increase the duration over time.
3. Positive Association: Always make the crate experience positive.
4. Short Sessions: Start with short periods of time in the crate, and only when you are nearby. Gradually extend the time and your distance (e.g., leaving the room or the house briefly).
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Crating Guidelines
• Time Limits: Experts agree that if you are going to use a crate, short term use is best. Excessive confinement or crating a dog for more than four-hour intervals can potentially cause behavior issues. Puppies and small dogs have smaller bladders and will need much more frequent breaks.
• Proper Size: Choose a crate large enough for your dog to lie down and stretch out! A crate that is too small can impact the quality of the dog’s sleep.
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Building a Positive Habit
• Routine Use: Crate your dog consistently, even during weekends or holidays, so it becomes a daily habit. Feeding one meal a day in the crate is a great way to build in this daily habit and pattern.
• Usage: Do not use the crate only when you leave the house. This will teach your dog that the crate equals being alone.
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Common Challenges and Solutions
• Challenges: If your dog doesn’t take to the crate immediately, take a step back and start very slow. Stay in the room while they’re crated and gradually increase the time and distance.
• Location: Think of your dog’s crate as his Lazy Boy recliner – a place where he can relax. Dogs are social being so ideally the crate should be in the main living corners. You can also have multiple crates or move the crate from room to room.
• Stress-Free Crating: Ensure your dog’s experience is calm and positive. Be proactive to manage your dog by using a crate but do NOT use it for punishment.
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Remember:
Ask yourself: What does crating mean to my dog? Your goal is to convince them that the crate is the BEST place in the house!