Why Crate Train?
An overwhelming majority of dog professionals suggest crate training when you first acquire a puppy or adult dog. Most suggest active use of a crate throughout your dog’s life (1) to ease the process of training positive behaviors (2) to restrict or transport when necessary and (3) to prevent formation of bad habits.
Training dogs new to the home, (or retraining dogs with unsavory habits) in what is acceptable behavior requires constant supervision. Puppies or poorly trained adult dogs unsupervised are a poor idea. Crates are a safe place when your dog cannot be supervised, until supervision can be resumed or the necessary training is provided.
Dogs need to be separated from dangerous household items, some visitors, including fragile adults or children afraid of dogs, and household activities that might be hazardous for the dog, such your painting the bedroom or baking sheet after sheet of holiday cookies
Preventing negative behaviors includes things such as bolting out open doors. Especially during holidays, the coming and going can be a strain for some pets and a door is an escape route to the great outdoors. Other behaviors that can be prevented include chewing furniture or relieving bowels and bladder during your reasonable in length absences.
Why Does Crate Training Work?
“Crate training works when a dog associates his crate with comfort, security and enjoyment,” according to the American Dog Trainers Network. Dogs, like their wolf ancestor, are raised in a den. “Mother feeds the puppy in the den and keeps the den clean of feces until the puppy is old enough to defecate away from the den. Because of this, dens are a place the dog associates with warmth and safety; dogs seek dens (any small, cozy, safe and secure place) throughout their lives. “
The crate becomes the den in the modern home. Critical is that the den never be used for punishment. Also important is that the crate is only for the dog. Ensure the dog does not need to defend his crate from children or other animals in the home. Make sure your dog thinks of the crate as a safe place and one where he is happy to spend time when necessary.
How To Crate Train
The Humane Society of Denver suggests the following process for crate training. Not rushing these steps is important. Expect the training to take days or weeks depending age, past crate experience and temperament.
1. Introduce the crate
Position the crate where you spend lots of time. Line with a soft towel. Fasten the crate door open so it won’t hit and frighten your dog. Encourage the dog to enter the crate with treats and favorite toys, and allow him to leave.
2. Feed meals in the crate
Place his food dish all the way back in the crate. If your dog is reluctant, place the dish as far in as the dog goes freely. Move the dish back each day. Once your dog is eating comfortably, close the door while he eats, and open the door as soon as he finished. With each feeding, leave the door closed longer, until he’s in the crate ten minutes after eating.
3. Condition for longer periods
Practice confining your dog for short periods while you’re home. Use a treat and a command, such as “kennel up”. Sit near the crate for awhile, and then go out of sight. Return and sit nearby for a short time. Then release your dog from the crate. Gradually increase the time in the crate and the number of sessions to several times each day.
4. Crate when you leave the house
Praise your dog and give a treat for entering the crate. Keep your arrival low key. Continue to crate for short periods when you’re home, so that crating does not mean being your dog is being left alone.
5. Crate at night
Put your dog in the crate using the command you chose and a treat. In the beginning, you may want to put the crate in your bedroom so that the crate is not socially isolating. Remember that puppies need to go outside during the night, and you want to hear your puppy when he whines to be let out.
Make being in the crate pleasant. Use carpet, towel or dog bed on the crate bottom. A toy or two and a chew bone, available only in the crate and rotated weekly, provide fun, essential for any age dog. The crate is a refuge for your dog and a tool for you to ensure his safety and comfort.
