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Crate
Training Your Dog
Crate training
you dog may take some time and effort, but can be useful in a variety
of situations. If you have a new dog or puppy, you can use the crate
to limit his access to the house until he learns all the house rules,
such as what he can and can't chew and where he can and can't eliminate.
A crate is also a safe way of transporting you dog in the car, as well
as a way of taking him places where he may not be welcome to run freely.
If you properly train your dog to use the crate, he will think of it
as his safe place and will be happy to spend time there when needed.
Selecting
a Crate
Crates may be plastic (often called "flight kennels") or collapsible,
metal pens. Collapsible fabric kennels are designed for use when the
owner is present and may not contain a dog for long periods while unsupervised.
Crates come in different sizes and can be purchased at most pet supply
stores. Your dog's crate should be large enough for him to stand up
and turn around in.
The
Crate Training Process
Crate Training can take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age,
temperament and past experiences. It's important to keep two things
in mind while crate training; one, the crate should always be associated
with something pleasant; and two, training should take place in a series
of small steps - don't go too fast.
Step
1: Introducing Your Dog to the Crate
- Put
the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of
time, such as the family room. Put a soft blanket or towel in the
crate. Bring your dog over to the crate and talk to him in a happy
tone of voice. Make sure the crate door is securely fastened open
so it won't hit your dog or frighten him.
- To encourage
your dog to enter the crate, drop small food treats near it, then
Just inside the door, and finally, all the way inside the crate. If
he refuses to go all the way in at first, that's okay - don't force
him to enter. Continue tossing treats into the crate until your dog
will walk calmly all the way into the crate to get the food. If he
isn't interested in treats, try tossing a favorite toy in the crate.
This step may take a few minutes or as long as several days.
Step
2: Feeding Your Dog His Meals in the Crate
- After
introducing your dog to the crate, begin feeding him his regular meals
near the crate. This will create a pleasant association with the crate.
If your dog is readily entering the crate when you begin Step 2, put
the food dish all the way at the back of the crate. If your dog is
still reluctant to enter the crate, put the dish only as far inside
as he will readily go without becoming fearful or anxious. Each time
you feed him, place the dish a little further back in the crate.
- Once
your dog is standing comfortably in the crate to eat his meal, you
can close the door while he's eating. At first, open the door as soon
as he finishes his meal. With each successful feeding, leave the door
closed a few minutes longer, until he's staying in the crate for 10
minutes or so after eating. If he begins to whine to be let out, you
may have increased the length of time too quickly. Next time, try
leaving him in the crate for a shorter time period. If he does whine
or cry in the crate, it's imperative that you not let him out until
he stops. Otherwise, he'll learn that the way to get out of the crate
is to whine and he'll keep doing it.
Step
3: Conditioning Your Dog to the Crate for Longer Time Periods
- After
your dog is eating his regular meals in the crate with no sign of
fear or anxiety, you can confine him there for short time periods
while you're home. Call him over to the crate and give him a treat.
Give him a command to enter, such as "kennel up". Encourage
him by pointing to the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand.
After your dog enters the crate, praise him, give him the treat and
close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for five to ten minutes
and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly
again for a short time, then let him out of the crate
- Repeat
this process several times a day. With each repetition, gradually
increase the length of time you leave him in the crate and the length
of time you're out of his sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in
the crate for about 30 minutes with you out of sight the majority
of the time, you can begin leaving him crated when you're gone for
short time periods and/or letting him sleep there at night. This may
take several days or several weeks.
Step
4:
Part A - Crating Your Dog When Left Alone
After
your dog is spending about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming
anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving him crated for short periods
when you leave the house. Put him in the crate using your regular
command and a treat. You might also want to leave him with a few safe
toys in the crate. You'll want to vary at what point in your "getting
ready to leave" routine you put your dog I the crate. Although
he shouldn't be crated for a long time before you leave, you can crate
him anywhere from five to 20 minutes prior to leaving.
Don't
make your departures emotional and prolonged, but matter-of-fact.
Praise your dog briefly, give him a treat for entering the crate and
then leave quietly. When you return home, don't reward your dog for
excited behavior by responding to him in an excited, enthusiastic
way. Keep arrivals low keys. Continue to crate your dog for short
periods from time to time when you're home so he doesn't associate
crating with being left alone.
Part
B - Crating Your Dog at Night
Put your
dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat. Initially,
it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or nearby in
a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need to go
outside to eliminate during the night, and you'll want to be able
to hear your puppy when he whines to be let outside. Older dogs, too,
should initially be kept nearby so that crating doesn't become associated
with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping comfortably through
the night with his crate near you, you can begin to gradually move
it to the location you prefer. Puppies that are healthy can have their
water taken from them a few hours before bedtime to help decrease
the frequency of potty trips they need to make during the night.
Potential
Problems
Too
Much Time in the Crate
A crate isn't a magical solution. If not used correctly, a dog can feel
trapped and frustrated. For example, if your dog is crated all day while
you're at work and then crated again all night, he's spending too much
time in too small a space. Other arrangements should be made to accommodate
his physical and emotional needs. Also, remember that puppies under
6 months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four
hours at a time. They can't control their bladders and bowels for longer
periods.
Whining
If your dog whines or cries while in the crate at night, it may be difficult
to decide whether he's whining to be let out of the crate, or whether
he needs to be let outside to eliminate. If you followed the training
procedures outlined above, your dog hasn't been rewarded for whining
in the past by being released from his crate. Try to ignore the whining.
If your dog is just testing you, he'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling
at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the
whining continues after you've ignored for several minutes, use the
phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate. If he responds
and becomes excited, take him outside. This should be a trip with a
purpose, not play time. If you're convinced that your dog doesn't need
to eliminate, the best response is to ignore him until he stops whining.
Do not give in, otherwise you'll teach your dog to whine loud and long
to get what he wants. If you've progressed gradually through the training
steps and haven't alone too much too fast, you will be less likely to
encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may
need to start the crate training process over again.
Separation
Anxiety
Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety will
not solve the problem. A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive,
but he may injure himself in an attempt to escape from the crate. Separation
anxiety problems can only be resolved with counter-conditioning and
desensitization procedures.
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