10 Crate-training Tips
Dogs of any age can be crate-trained. Ideally, you would like to crate-train
as early as possible, but if you've adopted an adult dog or need to re-train
your older dog, it can be done.
I would like to start by assuring you that crate-training is both humane
and healthy when done properly. Many top trainers and even veterinarians
recommend crate-training for dogs. Wild animals have dens, where parent
animals leave their young when they go off hunting. The crate is simply
an approximation of the den for domestic dogs. Young puppies learn quickly
that the den is safe and warm, and if they drift off to sleep, their "parents"
will soon return from the "hunt". Think of the crate as a cozy
den for your dog, as opposed to a dog cage, and it will help you to understand
better the principle by which it works.
1. Purchase the proper size. The proper size crate is very important.
It must be just large enough for your dog to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably,
but NO LARGER. For growing puppies, ideally you'll want to get larger and
larger crates as they grow. But if you don't want to buy more than one crate,
purchase a crate that will be the proper size for your dog when he's fully
grown, based on his breed or the size of his parents. Do not assume that
a larger crate will be more comfortable than a cozy one. The idea is that
your dog will only be crated for sleeping and unwinding, and a larger crate
will encourage a dog to move around more, keeping him awake. Also, dogs
resist soiling their own den, so if the crate is too large, he may be tempted
to soil one end and sleep at the other. Don't be tempted to buy a large,
roomy crate.
2. Do not put anything in the crate but the dog. This is also
very important! No food. No water. No toys. No chewies. No towels or blankets.
No heating pads. Nothing but the dog. Why? Again, because you want the dog
to quickly learn to sleep in his crate. Distractions like toys and food
will only keep him awake. And towels and blankets, though they sound nice,
will only get soiled... encouraging the dog to use his crate as a toilet.
Heating pads can be very dangerous, and I don't need to tell you why. Remember,
just the dog!
3. Do not acknowledge the dog while he's crated. For the first
few days, a puppy will carry on, crying most pitifully when he's put in
his crate. This is not because he's confined to a cage, but because he's
suffering puppy separation anxiety, which is normal. At first, he'll do
this whenever you go away, whether he's crated or not (just ask your neighbors),
and you can't very well stay home 24 hours a day. It's a good idea to begin
crate training on a weekend, as you're not likely to get much sleep the
first few nights. I assure you this is normal, and I encourage you to NOT
GIVE IN to his cries, no matter how much you are tempted. Giving in will
only lengthen the time it takes to crate-train. He will stop his fussing
after a few nights.
4. If you like, you may put the crate near your bed at first.
It may be easier for your dog to adjust to crating if he feels your presence
nearby. But remember, do not acknowledge him when he's crated. Don't speak
to him or try to comfort him, it'll only spur his forlorn howls even more.
As he grows used to his crate, you can gradually scoot it to a more convenient
spot.
5. Keep the crate in a convenient and comfortable spot. Since
the dog will not have bedding in his crate during training, a spot in the
house that's temperate is recommended. Also, it needs to be in a quiet place,
away from the clamor of the heart of the household. Keep in mind that if
there's a fire, you'll want to be able to get to the crate quickly from
your bedroom or an outside door.
6. Don't keep a dog crated for more than a total of 10 hours a day.
During early housebreaking, you may need to keep you puppy crated up to
12 hours or more per 24 hour period. That's okay (temporarily ONLY) if you
spend the rest of the time with him, making sure he gets copious amounts
of play, and he's only crated for a few hours at a stretch. Crating is for
keeping him out of trouble when you're away or asleep. When you're home
and awake, it's your responsibility to spend time with him. Crating is not
a dog cage, it's a sleeping den. Dogs normally sleep 12 to 16 hours per
day, but that doesn't mean they should spend all that time crated.
7. Never use the crate for punishment. Never put your dog in his
crate when he's being punished. Dogs grow to love their crate. It's cozy
and quiet, and a great place to sleep or unwind from stress. If you banish
a dog there for punishment, he will grow to resent the crate.
8. Keep your dog on a schedule. Feed, exercise, play, and sleep
should be kept on a regular schedule. Puppies 8-12 weeks can only hold their
bladder for a couple of hours... working their way up as they mature to
8 hours as a healthy adult. See housebreaking.
The stricter the schedule you keep, the quicker a dog will adjust to training.
9. If your dog has an accident, simply clean the crate. A dog
will rarely soil his crate more than once. But if it happens repeatedly
after thorough cleaning with soap and water or enzymatic solution, then
perhaps the crate is too large, he's unable to hold it due to young or old
age (or illness), or you need to make sure he's gone potty when you take
him outside before crating him (refer to housebreaking tips, if this happens
more than once).
10. Be patient. Training a dog always takes patience. When crate-training,
don't lose your patience or give up too soon. A crate-trained dog is WONDERFUL.
You can travel with him (as many hotels allow crated dogs now), and he's
safer in a crate than loose in the car. Your puppy won't ruin your carpet,
and housebreaking goes much smoother and quicker. Your dog can't tear up
the house or yard while you're away, saving your possessions, and perhaps
saving his own life! |