What Is the Best Way to Crate Train My Dog?
Crate training is a way to housetrain your dog by teaching it to accept a dog crate or kennel. According to the Humane Society, crate training utilizes your dog's natural instincts to dwell within a den. The crate helps to decrease the possibility of accidents in the house and provides your pet with a relaxing and safe environment. If you are considering crate training your dog, keep in mind that the best and most successful techniques require your patience and encouragement.
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Instructions
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Prepare the crate. Make a comfortable den environment for your dog. Place the crate in a location where your family normally gathers, such as a kitchen or family room. Add blankets and a chew toy.
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Allow your dog to explore. Open the door of the crate, place a few treats inside and walk away. If your dog approaches, allow it to enter when it is ready to do so. If your pet does not enter at first, do not force the issue. When the dog does enter, praise it and offer another treat; do not close the door. Repeat this for several days or until your pet is comfortable entering the crate.
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Close your dog inside of the crate. Onceit is comfortable entering the crate, gradually move your pet's food inside. After your pet has had several successful feedings while inside the crate, casually close the door while the dog is eating. For the first attempt, open the door immediately once your pet has finished eating. Each time you feed your dog, Increase how long the it stays inside the crate, until the animal is able to remain within for 10 minutes after eating.
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Help your pet adjust to being inside the crate at times other than feeding. Provide your dog with a one-word command associated with entering the crate. Point to the crate and say the command. If needed, place your pet in the crate several times to help make the association. Praise your dog when it enters and give it a treat. Close the door. Remain near the crate for several minutes before walking into another room for a minute or two. Return to the room and wait another few minutes, then open the crate; again praise and reward your pet. Repeat this process several times a day until your dog is able to stay alone in the crate for up to 30 minutes.
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Leave your dog in the crate while you are gone. The first time you leave your pet alone, make your trip a short one. Do not immediately open the door when you return. Allow your pet to calm down first, then release and praise it. Take your dog immediately outside to eliminate. Leave it in the crate overnight. If your pet is a puppy, keep in mind that its bladder is still small; puppies generally need to eliminate every two to four hours.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose the appropriate crate. Your crate should be large enough for your dog to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. If you are training your puppy, select a crate that will fit it as an adult dog.
If your dog cries when you first close it inside the crate, let the animal out immediately; however, after the first time, leave it inside to adjust even if it cries. This will prevent your dog from associating crying as a means to get what it wants.
Drape a blanket over the sides and back of the kennel to provide privacy as your dog rests.
Do not force your dog into the crate or use it as a form of punishment. This will create negative associations with the kennel and make training difficult or impossible.
If you have adopted a dog that has been abused, it may already have negative associations with using a kennel, so that crate training may not be a possibility.
Do not leave your dog in a crate for longer than 8 hours. Puppies should not be left in a crate longer than 2 to 4 hours, depending on its age. A 2-month-old puppy will need to eliminate every 2 hours, while a 4-month-old will need to go outside every 4 hours.
Accidents may occur if the dog is left in the kennel for long periods of time. Do not punish your dog when accidents occur.
References
- Photo Credit dog sleeping in metal kennel image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
