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A lot of people understand the importance of crate training, but they feel guilty for crating their dog because the dog doesn’t enjoy it. So how do we fix that? How do we take a dog who cries and has to be physically placed in the crate, to a dog who enjoys his crate?
First things first, we need to create a positive association for the crate. Does your dog have a special toy or treat that he loves? Maybe a Kong stuffed with peanut butter or treats? Reserve that special reward for crate time only. He doesn’t get it at any other time.
Another key factor to consider is whether or not your dog is a new puppy that you are bringing home for the first time. If so, set your puppy up for success by placing a blanket that smells familiar in the crate. Take a blanket with you when you pick your puppy up from the breeder and rub it on your pup’s mom and littermates to bring home a familiar scent. Another trick to crate training success with young puppies is a Snuggle Puppy. A Snuggle Puppy is a stuffed toy that has a battery-operated heartbeat that can help ease crate anxiety for your new puppy that is missing mom and littermates. The Snuggle Puppy has a real feel pulse that prevents him from feeling alone. A lot of puppies are more upset about being alone than the crate itself.
Whether it’s a new puppy that has never experienced a crate, or an older dog that doesn’t enjoy the crate, the first steps are the same. Have your dog practice entering the crate and being rewarded without ever closing the door. For dogs that are hesitant about entering the crate, start by tossing a treat in the back of the crate and then stepping back and allowing your dog to enter and check it out on his own. Repeat this until your dog will go readily into the crate when a treat is tossed to the back of the crate. The next step is to start naming the action of the dog entering the crate, do this by giving the command “crate” (or “bed” or any command you choose, just be consistent with one word) as you toss the treat in the back of the crate. With repetition, the dog will associate the word “crate” with finding treats, so he will begin to enter the crate when you say the word before the treat is tossed. Now you are ready to give the command and reward after your dog enters instead of having the treat in the crate waiting for him. Be ready to follow through with a lure to help him into the crate if he doesn’t do it on his own when you give the command. This whole process is done without ever shutting the door. Depending on the dog, these steps could all be done in a few hours or a few days. If your dog has pre-existing anxiety about the crate, you will need to move slower and have more repetitions to get to the point that you are ready for the next step.
Now that your dog is comfortable walking into the crate to accept a treat, it is time to start closing the door for very short periods of time. Initially, close the door while your pup is eating his treat for about 1-2 seconds, praise and open the door. I will often treat again if the dog stays sitting in the crate rather than rushing out to reinforce that behavior. Gradually increase the amount of time that the door is closed from a few seconds up to a few minutes. Take your time and make sure your dog is comfortable and enjoying the process before you move on. If at any point your dog is whining or pawing the door to escape, slow down, this is your indicator that you need to take a few steps back and work at a slower pace while your dog gets acclimated to the process.
The next step in the process is to walk away from the crate for short periods of time. With the door closed, take a few steps back from the crate and then return. Do not immediately open the door. Pause for a few seconds, make sure your dog is waiting quietly and then open the door. Continue this process of walking away and coming back while gradually increasing the amount of time you are gone and the distance you go from the crate. Each time you return, do not immediately address your dog. We don’t want to teach him that when he sees you he should get excited and anticipate getting let out. This creates dogs that bounce around in the crate and whine to be released. Wait quietly by the crate and while your dog is quiet, toss another treat in the crate to reward that good behavior and then open the door. It is critical that your dog is always calm and quiet when you open the door.
Once your pup has mastered all of these steps, you are ready to begin crating for short amounts of time. Have the pup crated while you shower, or while you are cooking dinner. Be sure to remember to give him a chew bone or Kong to keep him busy. And for young puppies, use the Snuggle Puppy to prevent him from feeling alone. Keep the crate sessions short at first, 10-15 minutes and then gradually increase to 30-45 minutes while you are home and can see how your dog responds. If those sessions are going well, you will know that your dog is ready to be in the crate while you leave the house. A general rule of thumb for crating is 1 hour per month old your pup is. So a 2 month old puppy should not be crated more than 2 hours. I do not crate any dog more than 4 hours without a bathroom break. With the exception of overnight, most dogs and even puppies can sleep 8 hours overnight without a bathroom break.
If you follow these steps, soon your pup will begin to view his crate as a safe space where he gets good things. A dog who can be crated is less likely to become stressed if they ever need to stay at a veterinary office. They are also less likely to suffer from separation anxiety. By spending a little time properly teaching your dog that a crate can be a good thing, you can eliminate a lot of future stress for both of you!
Check out my crate recommendation here.