puppytales

At first thought, many pet owners might dismiss crate training for dogs as cruel and unecessary.  However, crate training, if done correctly, can not only be a positive way to help a pet learn house rules, it can also be a safety measure for pets left alone at home.

Crate training your dog or puppy 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.  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.

Some suggestions for crate training your puppy or dog are included here for you, but always check with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

Place the dog crate in an area of your home that is used by the family a lot, such as a family room.  Place a soft towel or blanket inside the crate.  Next, 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.

Start feeding your puppy his meals by the crate.  At each feeding, place the food dish a little farther inside the crate, until your dog is comfortable standing completely inside the crate as he eats.  Then close the door to the crate, but be sure to open the door as soon as he finishes eating.  At the next meal time, open the door a few minutes after your puppy finishes eating, and continue extending the amount of time between the food being finished and the door being opened.

If your dog whines before you open the door, it is important to wait until he stops whining before you open the door, or he’ll associate whining with getting you to open the door.

After your dog is eating his regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety,  the next step in crate training is to  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.

Then sit near the crate for a few minutes, then leave the room for a few minutes.  Return and it by the crate again, and after about 5-10 minutes, let your puppy out of the crate.  Do this several times a day until the dog or puppy will stay calmly in the training crate about half an hour with you out of sight.  At this point, your puppy should be able to be left alone for short periods of time while you are out, and sleep overnight in the crate as well.

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.

When crating your dog at night, you should 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 .

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 bathroom needs longer than that, and will probably go to the bathroom in the crate.

It cannot be stressed enough that crate trianing must be done with patience, love and over time. 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.

To learn more about the best way to crate train your puppy or dog, visit The Humane Society Website .

Trackback URI | Comments RSS