Crate Training

If your dog has already developed anxiety or stress, you may also want to look at:

Why crate train?

• To assist with potty training

  • When you first bring home your puppy you can utilize the crate as a potty training tool

  • Generally dogs to not like to soil their "dens" so should not want to potty in their crate (assuming the size is the proper fit for your dog)

  • When your puppy is in the crate they should be taken out in increments (every few hours) to potty outside. They will build up bladder control as they age and as time is increased with crate training (especially once they are sleeping through the night)

  • If the dog goes to the bathroom outside, having time out should be a reward

  • If the dog does not go to the bathroom they should return to the crate and go out again shortly for another try

• To keep your dog safe when unsupervised

  • This is a great opportunity for you to go about your routine while you are home (while your dog can see you) to allow your dog to relax in your presence

  • This will keep your dog from getting into something they should not, going to the bathroom in the house, or being a nuisance if you are trying to get something done

• To positively redirect your dog to

  • If your dog is being too rowdy or begging at the dinner table it is a great opportunity to positively send your dog to the crate so you are not reinforcing behaviors you do not want in the future

• To teach and give your dog a sense of confidence and independence when away from you

  • This is EXTREMELY important

  • Your dog needs to know how to function without you

  • That it is OK to relax in the crate while you are physically present or are interacting with family members, friends, or perhaps even another dog

  • You do not want your dog constantly barking or whining while they are temporarily put away

  • Your dog should have the ability to be without you and understand it is OK

• To teach a stay/wait

  • A great opportunity to begin your release cue and teach your dog impulse control when a crate door, gate door, house door, car door, etc opens up

• To give your dog a place of relaxation

  • Your dog should have a place they can go to in order to relax and be at peace

• To give your dog a place to sleep

  • This is especially important when potty training and teaching independence

  • YES, your dog will bark or whine through the night and have to potty a few times...this is NORMAL

  • You MUST work through this or you are teaching your dog they can get what they want (especially through barking or whining)

  • Allowing the dog to sleep in bed with you may lead to attachment and anxiety issues

• To manage your dog in situations with company, workers, etc.

  • If your dog is constantly barking or jumping on company, this gives you a place to redirect and manage the behavior

  • You can also manage on leash or teaching your dog to hold position on a mat (that is a different training section) - but if your dog is not able to do that (or your guests do not follow directions) the crate is the best option

• So your dog has a place of comfort in different environments (car, hotel, boarding facility, dog competitions)

  • Your dog cannot always generalize very well; just because your dog can crate well in your home when you leave, does not mean your dog will be comfortable in a crate in a hotel room when you need to step out for dinner

  • Crate your dog in many different environments and incrementally in different locations around your home so your dog gets used to the crate as a place of comfort

  • The LAST thing you want is to take your dog on a car ride and them salivating, throwing up, or getting loose bowel movements due to the build up of stress and anxiety

  • This is also true of boarding facilities - your dog may have loss of appetite, traces of blood in the stool, diarrhea, excessively salivate, chew wiring or welding on a crate, whine or bark constantly, defecate in the crate, etc. You do NOT want your dog to be in a panic

  • Do your dog a favor and allow them to have a crate so they have a place of comfort no matter where they go

• So if your dog ever needs surgery, a trip to the emergency pet hospital or overnight at the vet

  • There may be times in your dog’s life when health challenges pop up and it is critical your dog is on crate rest at an emergency clinic, on crate rest, or has IVs

  • A lot of time knee surgeries require down time and confinement

  • There are time your dog may rip open a paw pad or have a slight limp where limiting movement is critical

Getting your dog in the crate:

• You want your dog to CHOOSE to go into the crate (they can think for themselves we do not need to use force)

• You can gently hold your dog in front of the open crate door (so the only option is to go in). You May want to have your dog leashed if their focus is not great leading them to go find something else to do

• Be patient and let your dog make a choice (you can also hold your dog's collar if they are too large to hold by their body)

• There is no need to slam the door shut when your dog goes in. We simply just want the dog to get used to going in and out of the crate. Closing the door will come later.

• You may use food to help your dog into the crate (that is luring/bribery) but eventually you want your dog to go in without a lure

• You need to start this at a slow pace if your dog is fearful or has other traumatic experiences (or separation anxiety) associated with the crate. There is no need to rush.

My dog or puppy seems to be crate trained...now what?