A crate can be a very useful tool when training a dog or puppy but you can’t buy a crate lock your dog in it and expect them to love it. Learning how to crate train a dog isn’t hard if you follow a few simple steps.
Some people believe using a crate is abusive. I view a dog or puppy running around unsupervised as a safety concern. Just as someone would put a baby learning to crawl in a crib at night a puppy who has not learned house manners should be crated or confined in some way.
Crates, just like many other tools, can be misused. If used properly a crate is a wonderful tool where a dog can feel safe and comfortable.
What is Crate Training?
Crate training is simply the process of getting your dog desensitized to the crate. Many people compare a crate to a den. In reality, there isn’t much evidence to support the belief that dogs are den animals, I am not saying this to discourage crates but so people understand crate training may not be simple for every dog.
Wild dogs may have started out living in a den when they were young but only when they are young. Dens, unlike a crate, have no door and they can come and go freely. Some dogs naturally seek out den-like areas and others hate the confinement and take longer to get used to the crate.
What Size Dog Crate do I Need?
The crate should be big enough for the dog to stand up in comfortably. The length should be about one and a half times the length of your dog. There should be enough room for the dog lay down, stand up and turn around in the crate.
Some wire crates come with dividers so you don’t have to buy a new crate as your puppy grows. Some dogs do better with plastic crates that are not as open but these usually don’t come with a divider to adjust the size. A wire crate with a blanket over it (just make sure your dog won’t rip the blank apart) can be soothing for some dogs.
4 Steps for Crate Training a Dog
1. Getting your dog used to the crate
After setting up the crate grab some treats or your dog’s favorite toy. Start by playing with your dog next to the crate and just hanging out near it.
Once your dog appears comfortable around the crate start tossing treats or a toy near the front of the crate. As long as your dog is comfortable, put treats in the crate and work your way further in.
Another thing you can do is get your dog interested in a treat or toy. Put the treat or toy inside the crate and shut the door. Let the dog wander around the crate trying to get in. Once the dog is really interested in going inside the crate to get the item open the door and let them in.
2. Have mealtime in the crate
Feed your dog meals in the crate. Your dog may be a little skittish at first. Start by placing their food just inside the crate. For a dog that isn’t scared of the crate, or is so food motivated they don’t even notice the crate, place the food dish further back.
Eventually have the food dish as far back as possible so the dog has to stand all the way in the crate. When the dog is comfortable eating in the crate shut the door during meal time. Once the dog is done eating, or shortly after, open the door and let them out.
If the dog begins to whine wait until they have stopped. A dog who is let out every time they complain learns quickly that if they yell at you they will get their way and continue to throw a fit every time they are in the crate.
When the dog has finished a meal you can slowly increase the time you leave them in the crate with the door closed. Start out with a minute or two and very slowly increase the time. If the dog begins to whine and cry wait for them to stop and let them out. Next time decrease the amount of time a dog spends in the crate after a meal. The time spent in the crate after meals may have been increased too quickly for the dog to handle.
Don’t wait too long, especially for a puppy, to let them out after meals. Dogs usually need to go to the bathroom soon after finishing. You really don’t want them used to use the crate as a bathroom.
3. Increasing crate time slowly
Once your dog is comfortable going in and out of the crate put some nice bedding and their favorite chew toys in the crate have the dog get in and shut the door. Now sit down next to or near the crate for a few minutes.
Start with a few minutes of the door closed and work your way up. For a nervous dog work your way up slowly. Find something your dog loves and associating it with the crate. A favorite toy that they only get when in the crate, treats they love they should get in the crate.
My dog’s favorite toy was a Kong ball with peanut butter smeared around the inside. Make sure it is dog safe peanut butter if you want to try peanut butter some are not safe for dogs. All of my dogs have been very food motivated and this kept every single one of them busy for 20-30 minutes easy. None of them would notice they were in a crate if there was still a smear of peanut butter in the Kong ball.
A dog new to a Kong ball may not understand what to do. You may have to teach them how to play with some toys or how to get the treat out of a toy.
Also, if I ever noticed my dog hanging out in the crate being calm during the day I would calmly walk over and drop in a treat.
When first starting this the dog may follow you out. It is fine if they walk out of the crate after you give them a treat just don’t give them any treats for a while when they come out. You want them to relate being calm in the crate to getting treats, not you walking over and they get treats.
4. Crate time by themselves
After your dog is comfortable spending a few minutes in the crate with you beside it stand up and walk a ways away. Stay in the same room at first. I would ignore my dog and occasionally walk back and put a treat in the crate if they were being calm.
Once your dog can handle you walking around in the room when they are in the crate leave the room for a few seconds. The first few times keep it short. Gradually work up to a couple minutes. Have treats or toys in the crate to distract them while you are not in the room.
Gradually increase this time. Crying or whining may start if the time the dog is left alone is too long. Wait for a break in the crying and the dog to settle down before letting them back out.
When your dog is comfortable in the crate when you are not in the room for 30 minutes try leaving the house. Before you try leaving the house with the dog crated make sure the dog:
- Has been exercised – A tired dog is a good dog
- Taken out to go to the bathroom – You don’t want a mess to clean up as soon as you get back
- Comfortable in the crate – if your dog won’t chew up bedding have a comfortable dog bed or blanket for them to lay on
- Give them an appropriate chew toy or treat – If your dog is distracted enough they may not care where you went.
Warning – When giving your dog chew toys in the crate make sure it is something that can not be torn up and choked on or swallowed and cause a problem.
Be calm when you leave. Simply put your dog in the crate with their treat or appropriate chew toy and leave. If you don’t make a big deal out of leaving there is a better chance your dog won’t make a big deal out of it.
Keep trips short at first until your dog is comfortable in the crate. No matter how much your dog loves their crate, keep crate time as short as possible. I am talking about crate time when the dog is locked in the crate not if they choose to lay in there by choice.
Crate Training Pros
- It can help with potty training.
- If done right it can help with separation anxiety.
- It can keep a dog safe. They can’t chew up things they shouldn’t if they can’t get to it.
- Can help teach the dog not to bark. They don’t get to come out until they are calm and quiet.
- Can be used in a vehicle for traveling with your dog
Crate Training Cons
- If not used correctly it can be very stressful for the dog.
- If used for long periods of time it may create more problems.
Why to Crate Train a Dog
Safety is the most important reason for me. Yes, I don’t want my dog chewing up the couch but I really don’t want my dog eating the couch (or sock, mail, dog toy, underwear, shoes… I am sure you get the idea) and choking on it or getting an obstruction and needing surgery.
Taking my dog to a new place I can use a crate in the car to keep them from running all over the car which is safer for not only the dog but also me. After arriving I now have a place to put my dog to help prevent them from sneaking outside to chase the evil bunny (we have an evil bunny who lives in our front yard, my dogs inform me about it daily) and disappearing.
It can make other situations better too. A dog getting surgery may get dropped off at the veterinarian’s office or need to stay later after surgery. No matter your view on crating they will be crated here. A dog may also have restrictions after surgery and need to restrict activity so they don’t hurt themselves having them comfortable in a crate can make the whole situation less stressful.
Bottom line – Whether you use a crate often or not it is a very smart idea to have your dog used to a crate. Someday there may be circumstances out of your control where you need one or your dog will be forced to use one.
Has any of the advice helped? If it has let me know in the comments. If you have any good tips that have helped you in the past with crate training leave a comment and let me know.
Still having problems crate training? Leave a question in the comments and I’ll do my best to help.