Crate Training

Taking Advantage of the Den Response

No self-respecting dog owner would put their dog in a cage so let me begin with defining what a crate is not. A crate is not a cage. A crate is an enclosure in which to house a dog. This enclosure, referred to henceforth as a crate or "condo," is a box-like design constructed out of any dog safe material. The crate should be large enough to comfortably house your dog but not so large that they can use it for both a bedroom and a bathroom. Dog crates can be located at almost any multi-service kennel or pet store.

I cannot imagine raising a puppy without a crate, puppy pen, or both. There are so many advantages to using a crate. It provides your puppy with a comfortable bedroom. It can be used for supervision purposes when you are unable to watch the puppy. It can become a safe place for your dog when he is traveling with you. On camping trips your dog will have his own "sleeping bag." House training is made easier. Trips to the veterinarian and groomer are less stressful because of the introduction and use of the crate. Your dog feels more secure when left home alone and he feels better about himself. He gets into less mischief and you feel better toward the puppy and as a result he gets more quality time from you. Dogs that have been crate trained have also been proven to be less willful when training programs are started.

When to Introduce the Crate

Dogs should be introduced to the crate as early as possible. Dogs that are whelped in the wild are usually whelped in caves, depressions under the tree roots or someplace where it is dark and safe. This place is called their den. Puppies feel safe when in or near this den. Dens are a secure place to sleep. The provide warmth and protection when they are threatened. If you take time to observe your puppy, you will notice that he likes to sleep in secure places, under the bed, under the desk, under a thick plant, etc. The crate will become your puppy's den. If started early and properly, most puppies will enjoy and continue to use the crate for the remainder of their lives. If you introduce the crate after the 12th or 16th week, you may experience more difficulty with the puppy accepting his new bedroom.

What Size?

Size is very important. A crate too small can be uncomfortable and stressful. Too large and the puppy may use it as a bed and toilet. A crate should be large enough for your puppy to use even when he is grown. You might have to place a board or barrier inside the crate to make itsmall enough for the puppy and remove the barrier when the puppy grows larger. If you are unsure about what size to purchase, ask your kennel owner or pet store operator.

How to Begin

During the day, place the crate in the kitchen area. That is where families spend most of their time throughout the day. You puppy needs to feel that he is part of the family. If the crate is in the kitchen and you are there also, he will feel more comfortable about taking his naps in the crate. Place the crate in a corner or area where he can see as much of the house as possible. Put several of his toys inside and provide an old towel or some newspaper (shredded) for him to lay on. Tie the door back to prevent it from slamming shut and frightening the puppy. Every time the puppy enters the crate to retrieve a toy or investigate something, he should be verbally praised. If your puppy refuses to enter his crate, you may have to teach him not to be afraid. Spend several minutes on several occasions every day tempting your puppy inside the crate with food treats. He can only receive the food if he enters the crate. The puppy should also be picked up and placed inside at which time he should be rewarded with a food reward. I will usually continue to give my dogs food rewards each and every time that I put my dog in his crate when I leave the house and leave my dog. l find that my dogs actually begin to look forward to me leaving.

Each time that the puppy is placed in his crate the owner should command "kennel," "crate," "go to bed," or some phrase that will indicate where the dog is supposed to go. If you are consistent with his training and this phrase, you will notice that your dog will soon be going to his crate on command. Don't forget the treat and praise!

In the evening I find that I experience less protesting from my puppies if I move the crate into my bedroom. This doesn't mean that you will always have to allow your dog in your bedroom. As your puppy becomes comfortable with his sleeping arrangements, say about a month, you may move the crate back into the hall or kitchen.

Housetraining and Using the Crate

Housetraining begins as soon as your puppy wakes from his first nap in the crate. When you notice your puppy is awake or at his first whine or scratch at the door, quickly take the puppy outside and allow him to empty. As the puppy is removed from the crate, introduce the command "Let's go outside." Pick the puppy up if he is too young to be trusted and carry the pup to the designated toilet area. The leash should be attached as you remove the puppy from the crate or as you walk to the area. Place the puppy on the ground and command "Go potty" or any command to indicate what the puppy is expected to do. When the puppy empties, praise him and tell him what a great puppy he is for depositing his urine or feces in the appropriate area. Have a short play period with the pup and when you are ready to go back inside, command "Okay, let's go back inside." These pups would really like to stay out and play awhile but their owners herd them back as soon as they are empty. So the relieving command to these pupppies means, "hurry up and go back inside."

When the puppy has emptied and is ready to return inside, he should be allowed to play freely in the kitchen area or a supervised area of the home. Place the puppy back in his crate if you need to leave for an extended period. Remember, it's much easier to teach a puppy to empty outside if he needs to empty when he is taken out. If your puppy is constantly relieving on the floor, then I assure you that you are not going to be successful in your housetraining. Use the crate as often as you need but don't over use it. Young puppies need lots of exercise to strengthen their muscles. If they are confined to the crate for long periods, then be sure that you provide them with plenty of exercise before confining them again.

Crate Training and Leaving a Puppy Alone

Humans and dogs can both suffer from separation anxiety. The stress of being left alone can relust in many forms of bad behavior. Dog owners may mistakenly assume that the destruction or bad behavior was the dog's way at getting back at them for being left behind. Crate training allows you to teach your puppy to be alone without feeling insecure. After your puppy has accepted his crate, begin leaving him alone for longer periods. Insure that you have given your puppy ample opportunity to relieve himself before you leave. Place the pup inside in the normal manner and leave. Do not baby talk or become emotional when telling the puppy bye. Emotional departures can have an upsetting effect on the puppy. When you return to the house, give the pup a short greeting and promptly take him out to relieve. You are now teaching your puppy to stay alone and also to wait until you return to relieve himself. Later, as your puppy matures you may begin to give your puppy freedom in your home while you are away. I find that I am more successful with leaving my own dogs alone when they are about eight months to a year old. With some dogs you may not have your dog staying home alone and free until he is well over a year. Don't take chances with leaving your puppy home alone. Use the crate until you are certain that he is ready to be left alone.

When I begin to give my dogs freedom in my home I find that I usually have to teach them to stay out of mischief when I am away. Try leaving several times a day for short periods. Try ten minutes the first time, twenty minutes the second trip and forty the third. Repeat this for several days and evaluate your dog. If he was destructive, I suggest that you leave home and park your car a short distance away. Walk back to your home and try to observe your puppy through a window. If you see your pup getting into mischief quickly burst into the room and make a correction. Sometimes you may find that you have to booby-trap certain places to prevent your puppy from getting into places where he doesn't belong. Corrections made after the fact will have little effect on teaching your puppy to stop an undesirable activity. By planting booby-traps and using startling correctoins when your puppy is actively engaged in doing something wrong, you can quickly eliminate a bad behavior. Some of the booby-traps that I find useful are mouse traps, rattle cans attached to the objects and pots and pans placed above areas where the dog gets into mischief. These items could be arranged to fall and startle the dog if the area is entered by the dog. Use your imagination and invent a surprise for your dog.

Your dog might also experience a lapse in housetraining when you begin to leave him alone and free in the house. This might be the result of leaving him too long. If he needs to empty and no one is there to let him outside, he might not be able to hold himself until you come home. To teach your dog not to housesoil while you are away, first ensure that your dog is old enough to hold himself for the amount of time you will be away. If you have used the crate to raise your dog and he has not been soiling the crate then hopefully you will not experience a failue when you begin to leave your dog free in the home. To help ensure success, however, begin this transition from crate to freedom in the home gradually. Make your first few trips short. By coming back after a short trip you will be teaching your puppy to hold himself until you return home and take him out to relieve. The older the puppy, the more likely he is to hold himself for longer periods.

Crate Training the Older Dog

Accepting confinement in a crate may prove difficult if the dog is an older puppy or dog. Past history of some dogs are sometimes unknown. Some dogs may have had a bad experience in a create or an enclosure that resembled a crate. Dogs can also experience claustrophobia, especially if it is an older puppy or older dog. Use patience when introducing the crate to an older puppy or older dog. Place his food and water in the crate and he may enter to obtain water or food. Play games in the crate. Toss his favorite toy inside and he may go inside to retrieve them. Remove the top half of the crate for several days and see if he will use the bottom for his bed. Place it next to your bed every night and he may find it more comfortable than the floor. When he is using the lower half for several days, then place the top half back and see if the dog will continue to use it. If all else fails, then you may have to train your dog to use his crate. Go get your dog some tasty food rewards. Take him to the crate and sit in front of the crate with your pup. Stroke and praise him and give him a piece of the food. Place another piece inside the crate and encourage him to go inside. If your pup just quickly steps in, grabs the food and runs back out, he should still be praised. Repeat once again and keep repeating until he goes inside and remains for several seconds. Place several food offerings inside to encourage him to stay for a longer period. Each time you encourage your pup to enter the crate use the "kennel" or "bed" command. When your pup has reached this stage then you may begin to close the door for a few seconds. W hen you close the door for the first time your pup may become frightened and refuse to enter once again. Just start over and he will soon be going back inside on his own. As the days pass you should increase the time that the door is closed. When you find that you can close the door for fifteen minutes without your pup becoming upset, then you may actually start leaving him in the crate and leaving. Follow the steps for leaving. If you have to put a frightened dog inside a crate I suggest that you place him in backwards or rear first. It is easier to push a dog backwards and he will become less unsettled if he can see the door and know where the escape hatch is.

Cars and Crates

Thousands of dogs are killed each year by falling, jumping, or being thrown from cars and trucks. A crate can protect your dog from injury while riding in your vehicle. It also provides him with shelter if he is an open bed pickup. If you are involved in an accident, your dog may avoid serious injury because the crate acts like a seat belt. Thousands of dogs have been lost during the confusion of an accident.

Other Benefits

Dogs that have been crate trained are usually less emotional and accept training easier. On those occasions when you have visitors that are afraid of or do not like dogs, you can place your dog in his crate. When friends visit and bring their rowdy children, you can place your dog in his crate rather than risk your dog biting a child that is teasing him. Crate your dog during parties, holidays or construction projects when your dog gets underfoot. Also when your dog needs a place to recuperate from an injury or illness.

I could go on and on with a list of reasons why I love my crate but as you use yours I'm certain that you will find out all the benefits I have. You may feel guilty at first but that will pass when you see how much your pet appreciates his "little condo."