Whether you have a new puppy you want to keep contained or just want to create a safe space for your dog to stay while you are away, crate training is the gift that keeps on giving! In this blog, we'll discuss our best tips to set your pup up for success while crate training.
Why Crate Train?
For many dogs, their crate is a place of comfort. When done correctly, crate training should provide your dog with a space that they can claim as their own. Crate training is beneficial to humans, too - it's nice to know that your dog is safely secured in your home and not getting into mischief when you have to step out for a while.
Getting Started:
Choose a crate that is sized appropriately for your pet. Crates come in many different styles, but the most important thing to consider is the size of the crate. A big mistake that many owners make when purchasing a crate is buying one that is either too big or too small. Your dog should be able to easily stand up and turn around in their crate without touching the roof or sides. If your dog appears to be in between sizes, get the larger crate. By nature, dogs like to seek out cozy, sheltered places to rest as this is where they feel the most protected. For this reason, avoid crates that are too tall or too large for smaller dogs.
Place the crate in an area of your home that is always accessible to your pet. Your dog is about to love their new crate, so make sure the door is open and they can get to it when they need a place to escape the household chaos or curl up for a midday nap. Once your pet is successfully crate-trained, you may be surprised by how often they seek out the comforts of their crate.
Make the crate comfortable, but don't crowd your pet. For your pet's comfort, you can place a bed, blanket, or crate pad down on the floor of the crate if your pet will allow you to do so. Some pets, even when happy and content in their crate, can become bored while their owners are out and alleviate this boredom by chewing up their things. If your pet tends to be destructive when bored, avoid placing any items (toys, bedding, etc.) in their crate that they could rip apart or ingest.
Crate Training: Out Best Tips
Introduce your dog to their crate - before you ask them to get in it. Bring your dog into the room where their crate is and let your dog investigate the crate on their own terms. The door should remain open while your dog sniffs and explores. Praise your dog when they go near or go inside of their crate but do not force them or place them inside of the crate too soon.
Start slow. Now that you've got your crate set up, it's time to ease into training slowly. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog, crate training can be stressful for any dog without practice. When starting out, try crating your dog in a quiet room while you are still home for short increments, such as 10-20 minutes at a time. This will allow you to observe how your pet behaves while in their crate. It's not uncommon for pets to whine, bark, or even try to paw at the crate door at first but these behaviors should quickly subside as you continue to work with your pet.
Create positive associations. Your pet's crate shouldn't be a place they associate with negativity or punishment. To acclimate your pet to their crate, place treats or kibble inside of the crate and reward your pet with praise or food when they express interest or go inside of the crate. You should never put your pet into their crate immediately after scolding them for doing something naughty.
Don't leave your pet in their crate for too long. Many pets, once trained, can comfortably stay in their crate for hours at a time. However, if you are going to be gone longer than 6-8 hours, it is best to look into options such as daycare or dog walkers. Staying crated for too long without being able to use the bathroom or get up and walk around can negatively impact your pet's mental health and create a negative association with the crate. It is especially important that puppies be let out frequently to use the bathroom, as it is difficult for young dogs to hold their bladder for long periods of time until they mature.
Don't become discouraged. Your dog might not take to their crate right away, but that is okay! The important thing is that your dog feels comfortable in their crate. Dogs who are fearful or afraid to be crated risk injuring themselves by attempting to escape, so work at a pace that is comfortable and safe for your dog. If your dog is struggling to warm up to the idea, try placing their food bowl inside of their crate during mealtimes. They might be reluctant to eat at first, but most pets will soon associate their crate with their favorite parts of the day - breakfast and dinner! Repeat this process until you pet starts to get more comfortable with going in and out of their crate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I leave puppy pads down for my pet in case they need to go to the bathroom while I'm gone?
A: This is just a preference. Generally, it is not recommended that you leave your pet alone for more than they can comfortably handle (adults dogs should be left alone no more than 4-6 hours) but it is especially important that puppies be let out for frequent potty breaks until they have matured. Once a puppy gets used to going potty in their crate it can be a hard habit to break. A general rule of thumb for how long a puppy can be expected to hold their bladder is one hour for every month of age. For example, a puppy who is four-months old can be expected to be able to hold their bladder for about 3.5-4 hours.
Q: My dogs are best friends. Can I crate them together in one crate?
A: We do not usually recommend crating dogs together in one crate. The exception to this rule is young puppies (under 8 weeks old) who benefit from being close to their littermates. Because a crate is a cozy, confined space, sharing that space with another dog can be stressful and create unnecessary tension, especially if the pets become bored and try to instigate play or other stimulation inside of the crate. To avoid potential scuffles or incidents, we recommend crating your pets separately, though they can be crated next to each other or in the same room.
Q: My dog chews on the crate/ tries to escape when we crate them. Why does my dog do this?
A: Dogs can become destructive or try to escape when they become bored, fearful, or anxious. It is important to identify the true cause of your pet's anxiety and manage their symptoms. Does your pet try to escape their crate when it's storming? When left alone for too long? Speak with your veterinarian about recommendations for managing your pet's anxiety. If you pet's anxiety comes from the crate, start from the beginning and work towards creating a safe comfortable space that your pet enjoys visiting.
Q: What size crate should I get for my new puppy?
A: If you have an idea of how big your puppy might be full grown, it may be most cost-effective to but a larger crate while your puppy is still small. Some crates come with a divider to adjust as your puppy grows to ensure they aren't staying in a crate that is too large for them. If a crate is too large, a puppy will be more likely to use the bathroom inside of it. Once a puppy gets in that habit it can be hard to break. Unfortunately, if you don't know how big your puppy is going to be, you might have to size up as they reach full maturity.
If you have questions on crate training your dog contact us at 972-347-6100.
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