Numerous dog owners elect to crate train their dog because they’ll be absent during the day at work. It’s not that they don’t love their dogs, it’s that they simply don’t trust them. Dogs that are left to their own devices might be destructive, they might go potty in the house, or they might have an issue with another animal that lives in the home. As long as the crate isn’t utilized as a form of punishment, the dog will be perfectly fine while the owner is away. Dogs will actually learn to appreciate their crate and they’ll view it as a place that is familiar and secure. How then, does one crate train a dog?
Let the Training Begin!
When you start to crate train your dog, remember to never position them in their crate if they seem nervous or tense. Don’t ever push your dog into the crate because you don’t want them to fear it, you want them to enjoy it. Let them walk into the crate on their own. It might take time, but you want your dog to associate the crate as being a positive thing, and not a negative thing.
Begin by allowing your dog to enter the crate with something that they enjoy, like a bone or a toy to play with while they are inside. Keep the door open to make sure their first experience inside the crate is positive. Don’t close the door until your dog is relaxed and comfortable. This rule applies to not only crate training but when you need to leave the house as well.
The Right Size Crate
When selecting a crate, or a metal cage for a dog, it’s crucial to find one large enough to accommodate the size of your dog. Ideally, the crate needs to be large enough to allow your dog to both turn around and sit down. If they’re not comfortable in their crate, they may become scared and afraid of being in the crate while you are away. Make sure their crate or cage is padded with a comfortable blanket so they can nap. Be sure, as well, to give them some toys, and maybe a treat, to chew on, just in case they get bored.
Larger dogs that have spent their lives in just one crate are more challenging to housetrain because no one ever gave them a boundary when it came to being in the crate. They’ve used the crate their entire life for sleeping as well as using the bathroom. It’s advisable to teach them boundaries when they are little….so….
If you happen to be training a puppy, be sure to block off one end of the crate. By blocking off one end, your puppy will learn that they can’t and shouldn’t poop where they eat. When your puppy gets a little older, you can either remove the block or buy them a bigger crate.
Where Should I Put the Crate?
When crate training a dog, it’s advisable to position the crate near you, particularly during family activities, just to give them the opportunity to observe your family on a daily basis.
At bedtime, ensure the crate is in your bedroom so that your dog isn’t alone. They’ll be comforted by the fact that they are near you all the time. They’ll also learn your sleeping pattern, and if they need to go outside or they get lonely, you’re right there next to them.
Never position a crate in a cold, dark basement because that will convey the impression that you are abandoning them. They’ll soon find their crate unpleasant, and you’ll have a challenging time trying to get them to walk in on their own, and as written above, you never, ever force an unhappy dog into a crate.
Crates and Behavior
If your puppy or dog is fussing while in their crate, it’s advisable to ignore them. If they’re fussing and you take them out, it only reinforces bad behavior. Give them five minutes or so, and if they stop fussing, then take them out, but don’t make a big deal out of it. If it’s been a while since they have gone potty, they might need to use the bathroom, but hopefully at this point they are already housetrained.
Potty Time
Aside from preventing problems in the house related to destruction, another reason for crate training is to help predict when your dog needs to use the bathroom.
Begin by keeping your dog on a regular feeding schedule. Once they finish a meal, place them in their crate for ten to fifteen minutes. After the allotted time, take them outside to their ‘elimination’ spot. Tell them to ‘Go Pee!’ Eventually, they’ll learn how to pee on command.
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Happy Tails!
