Selecting a crate is very simple. Most crates have a size and weight limit on their tag at the store, which provides a guideline. A crate should be only large enough for the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down in. If you have a puppy, you can buy adult-size crates that have dividers, so you can adjust your pup's space as he grows. There are two types of crates for training - an airline crate, which is the plastic, enclosed crate with the metal door, or a wire crate which is simply made of metal wire. Certain people and certain dogs tend to prefer one over the other.
Introducing your dog to the crate is an important step. You want your dog to associate the crate with positive things, so that he sees it as his den - his safe place. Set your crate up in a place in your house where you spend a lot of time, that way your dog still feels like he's part of the family/pack. Leave the door open for a period of time, get your dog's attention, and begin tossing treats inside (make sure they are extra tasty treats, like pieces of hot dog or chicken!). Usually, a dog will venture into the crate for the treats. If, after a while, he does not, you can try guiding him in gently by his collar, or putting him in, for short amounts of time with the door open. Continue with the treats.
Once your dog appears to be comfortable being in the crate with the door open, try closing it for a VERY short period of time (1-5 seconds). Praise and treat, and open the door back up before the dog has a chance to become uncomfortable and make noise. Slowly increase the time that the crate door is closed (5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, etc). This may take several sessions a day, over the course of a couple of days. The time taken usually depends on your individual dog.
When the dog has become comfortable with the crate door closed, you can begin feeding him and giving him special toys, such as food-stuffed Kongs, only in his crate. At night, you might put an old article of your clothing that smells like you in with him. During the day, you might play soothing music or leave the TV on for him while he is in the crate. All this helps to make the crate a positive place to be.
Remember:
NEVER use a crate as punishment. Your dog's crate is his safe place.
ALWAYS wait until your dog is quiet to let him out of the crate. This reinforces the calm behavior that you want.
If you are also using the crate in conjunction with potty training, please refer to my Potty Training Article.
All articles on this blog are written by Victoria Steen unless otherwise stated. They are NOT to be redistributed.
2 comments:
Hmmm. I've read so much on crate training, and when I got my (now almost five month old) puppy, I was determined to teach him to love his Crate Home. On the first day, we went through all these steps, no problem... but when I put him in at night, he threw a huge temper tantrum, which did not end for an hour or two. Since then I've used the crate on occasion, and sometimes he likes it, but sometimes he barks and whines to be let out, or (worse, in my opinion) gnaws and scratches pathetically at the wire. I've never left him in it for more than two hours, nor used it as punishment. (Well... I've never accompanied the crate with scolding or whatever, but I must admit I have put him in to settle down if he's being super rowdy.)
Anyway, I guess my main question is whether this is something to be concerned about - whether dogs HAVE to love their crates. He is an all-star at housetraining and seemed to figure it out very quickly simply by being on a regimented schedule; no crate needed. I kept him mostly confined him to the kitchen for the month or two, but now he generally has full run unless I'm going out. So it's not really a big behavior issue (and he sits quietly in the crate on the really necessary occasions, which means car rides)... I'm just slightly concerned about him not having that cozy den to retreat to.
It's always good to have the option of being able to crate/kennel the dog. Vets and groomers will certainly appreciate a crate-trained dog, because then your dog will not stress and cry when he is being confined at those places.
What I do when I have a whiny puppy who decides he wants to cry for a while at night is put him in another room, and sometimes covering the crate with a breathable sheet helps. Some dogs are set off by seeing you and knowing they can't get to you. This was my problem with Shippo, but it was quickly solved by the above. It can sometimes take a couple nights.
But if you've managed to house train your dog without the use of the crate, that's totally fine too. Crate training is an awesome tool, but it's not absolutely necessary for all dogs.
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