Crate Training Your Dog Effectively

Crate Training Your Dog Effectively

Puppies need to feel safe and by providing a kennel crate for them, you will satisfy their need with a den-like enclosure.

Some of the more popular reasons for crate training are:

• Housebreaking - dogs are less likely to soil their own sleeping place
• Chewing - limits the destructive chewing that puppies will have due to teething
• Lessens Anxiety - puppies feel safer knowing they have a place of retreat
• Safety - you'll keep your puppy out of harms way when you are unable to supervise
• Mobility - teaching your dog to relax in a confined space makes traveling in a car easier

With so many advantages, it's hard to imagine anyone would forgoe crate training. However, there are obstacles that can make this kind of training difficult.

It's common for many puppies to become territorial of their crate. If growling or aggressive behavior begins when you go inside the crate, you'll want to take action immediately by using tactics detailed on our "Aggressive Behavior" page.

Some dogs are difficult to crate train because they don't want to be in an enclosed, safe space. They may misinterpret the gesture and think they are being punished for bad behavior.

In certain cases, putting your puppy in a crate before you're off to bed may bring about a lonely feeling and separation anxiety in your dog. He may moan through the night at first.

A nice way around these problems is to gradually introduce the kennel crate to your dog from the moment he enters your home.

How to Introduce Your Dog to His Crate

1. When you get your puppy, put treats or food in his crate sporadically throughout the day. This will help him associate his crate with comfort and happiness.

2. Use positive reinforcement to praise him when he goes inside his crate. NEVER force your dog into his crate. He will feel like he is being punished.

3. Create a game where you drop a piece of food into the crate. Playfully say to your puppy "Where's the treat?" "Is it in your room?". Praise your puppy when he goes into his crate for the food. Let him leave the crate at any time during this game.

4. When you do start to close the crate door with your dog in it, be sure you are there supervising and only keep the door closed for short periods of time. Increase the amount of time he is in there over the course of several days.

5. The key to it all is strengthening your dog's psychological attachment to his crate being fun and good.

Leave the door open on the kennel crate for the first few days you have your dog and make sure the crate is in your room when you go to sleep. This avoids some separation anxiety for your dog.

Place your dog's favorite toys and treats at the far end of the crate. Let him have a first impression of his crate as a fun hangout spot.

Putting in a hamster-like water dispenser is also a nice treat for your dog. Don't let him feel like he is inconvenienced at all while in the crate.

Soft bedding is mandatory. Putting down a soft towel or blanket will also help your dog enjoy his new pad. Make the crate as cozy and unrestrictive as possible at first.

Along with keepin the door off the first few days, you may also want to keep the roof unattached. You can gradually add the roof after a few days and then a few days later add the door.

While you're in the same room as the dog, begin closing the door while he's in it for a half hour.

Give him positive reinforcement while he's in there and make sure you give him a treat when you open the door and let him out.

Gradually increase the time he is in there until he is in the crate with the door closed for two hours.

Once he can stay in the crate for two hours and remain calm, he understands the situation.

Crate training takes a lot of patience from both you and your dog, so be aware it can take up to two weeks to see good results.

Positive reinforcement is the key here. You want your dog to feel like his crate is his castle. Just make sure he knows you'll be going in there too. You don't want a dog that becomes overprotective of his crate.