Crate Training Your Dog

Why It Is A Good Idea and Some Helpful Tips From A Trainer! 

I will concede that dogs are not the instinctual den animals claimed by many crate training articles. While mother dogs will find some den-like structure when whelping a litter, that is about as far as a dog’s natural denning behavior goes. 

So why do so many dogs love their crate so much if it is not actually in their nature? Patty Khuly, DVM, suggests that it is a by-product of domestication and adaptation of living with humans. Dogs are good at learning, patterns, and conditioning, so it is not surprising that they are good at crate training! 

In this article, we will explore why crate training is such an important skill for your furry friend, as well as some of my favorite training tips for doggy parents. 

Why Dog Owners Should Consider Crate Training:

The crate can be a lifesaver for pet owners with a new dog or a dog that tends to get into trouble if left alone too long.  Let’s take a look at some of the best reasons for crate-training your pup.

House-training

Most dogs do not want to use the bathroom in the space where they are sleeping or relaxing. This makes the crate a powerful house-training tool for your new dog or puppy. Currently, I have an 18-week-old puppy, and while he can be a trouble-maker, the crate has helped him learn to use the bathroom outside, not inside, especially if I am not home or during the night. He has learned to go outside as soon as he is released from his crate. He has quickly generalized this behavior when he needs to use the bathroom, even when not kenneled.  

The Crate Creates a Safe Space For Your Dog

Most dogs will appreciate having a safe space where they know they will not be bothered. My older Border Collie is very nervous around loud noises and strangers. If fireworks are going off or we have guests, she chooses her safe space, sleeping in the crate with the door open. 

Peace Of Mind

The crate also gives dog owners a certain peace of mind when they are unable to supervise their dog. Whether you are sleeping, taking a shower, working, or running errands, the crate provides comfort knowing your dog is not getting into anything or being destructive. This reassurance is especially needed if you have a young dog or puppy. 

Personally, I trust my older Border Collie to be out when I leave the house, but the puppy is crated for now! 

Less Stress In the Car, Boarding Facility, At The Vet,  Or Groomer

For many dogs, it might be impossible to eliminate all stress while travelling, or at the vet or groomer. However, if they are properly crate trained, at least they will be acclimated to travelling in a car crate or being left in a kennel in a new place. That is one less stressful thing for you to worry about! 

Crate training tips:

Most dogs tend to pick up crate training fairly easily. Be mindful not to rush the process, letting your dog acclimate to the crate at their own speed and comfort level. Allow your dog to explore the crate at their own pace by leaving the door open and throwing their favorite treats in there. Here are more of my favorite tips to get you through the training period! 

Introducing  the Crate: 

Firstly, choose the right-sized crate for your dog. A crate should be big enough for a dog to comfortably stand up, lie down, and turn around. However, any extra room might mitigate the house-training efforts you have made, especially for puppies or very young dogs. Some crates come with a barrier so you can change the size as your puppy grows.

Adding a comfy bed, favorite chew toys, and treats ensures the crate is more comfortable and positive for your pup. However, if your dog tends to chew things up, avoid expensive beds or toys that can be accidentally ingested. If you are worried about your pupper being uncomfortable without a bed, reassure yourself by thinking about how often you see your dog sleeping on the hard floor. My dog is currently sleeping on the bathroom tile when she has multiple comfy dog beds and is allowed on the couch!

Feeding your dog their meals in their crate helps your dog learn to be comfortable and excited to go into their crate. Feed them their dinner or give them a handful of yummy treats in the crate, and help build confidence by leaving the room briefly. Come back and reward them for good, quiet behavior.

Meanwhile…

It is okay to leave your dog in the crate overnight or when you have to leave. Take the time to introduce them to the crate at the same time, using the methods listed above. 

When you do need to leave your dog in their crate for a long time while they are still being crate trained, provide them with some enrichment. This could be Kong full of frozen dog food, a bully stick, or a yummy bone. Before leaving them with a treat, make sure you trust them not to injure themselves. For example, some dogs will swallow the end of a bully stick, creating a choking hazard. These dogs might do better with a frozen Kong! 

How Not To Use Your Crate:

Here are some common crate training mistakes to avoid: 

-Using the crate as punishment. We want only happy experiences with the crate! 

-Leaving them crated too long (Depending on the age, temperament, or breed of your dog or puppy, this is typically 4-8 hours). 

-Leaving them in a crate that is too big, causing them to have accidents. 

-Letting your dog out when they cry or whine (assuming their bathroom needs are met) can lead to inconsistent training and reinforce unwanted behavior.

Final Thoughts

I am a huge supporter of crate training. As a dog trainer with multiple dogs, I feel better knowing most of my dogs are safely crated when I am away from the house. Because I worked so hard on conditioning them to love their crates, including traveling in their car kennels and being crated all day at doggy agility shows. My dogs love their crates so much that they often chill in them with the doors open! 

Even if you do not plan on regularly kenneling your dog, long-term success comes from keeping the crate as a part of your dog’s routine. Whether that means kenneling when you are gone, when you are sleeping, or simply feeding their meals in their crate depends on your routine. Every dog deserves their own safe space, whether that is from guests, children, other dogs, thunderstorms, or fireworks. 

Finally, not every dog might acclimate to crate-training because of past trauma or their personality. And that is okay! Some alternatives to crate training include exercise pens, baby gates, or a special doggy room. 

Happy training!