Crate Training – Providing a Refuge to Your Dog

Posted by Neeta on Apr 18, 2014 in Dogs, Pet Care | Comments Off on Crate Training – Providing a Refuge to Your Dog

A crate may be described by your dog as “a private room which I can use as a quiet, secure corner of my own in the home”.  While understanding how to crate train a puppy, you should understand that it is his personal sanctuary where he can get some comfort and privacy, while you too have a secure feeling about him. And that will make you successful in the crate training process.

Philosophy behind Crating

The philosophy behind crating is the natural instinct of a dog as a den animal. A wild dog has his den which is his home, a place to relax, be safe from danger and raise a family. Thus when you bring a crate for your dog, it should become his naturally favorite place – an ideal place to snooze and get refuge from a thunderstorm.

• The basic use of a crate is for housetraining. Dogs don’t prefer to soil their dens.
• A crate can put a limit on access to other parts of house and also he learns rules like not to chew furniture.
• Crates are convenient and safe to transport the dog in a car.

Crating Precaution

You should understand that a crate is not going to be liked by your dog naturally, if you don’t try for it. If you don’t make use of it correctly, the outcome may be negative, i.e. the dog may feel anxious, frustrated and trapped in the crate.

• Never use a crate for punishing your dog. That way, the dog will be scared of it and will refuse to enter it.
• Don’t keep the dog in the crate for too long. If you do so, the dog won’t get sufficient exercise and human contact, which can make him depressed or nervous. You can change the schedule of keeping him in the crate, can hire a pet sitter or use a doggie daycare facility for your dog, so that the amount of time he spends in the crate can be reduced.
• Puppies below six months shouldn’t be kept in a crate for over three-four hours at a time. They are not able to control their bowels and bladders that long. The same is true for adult dogs who are being housetrained.
• Crate your dog only till you get a confidence that he won’t cause damage around the house. After that, he should go there voluntarily.

Choosing A Crate

There are numerous types of crates available in the market, like:

• Plastic (mostly called “flight kennels”)
• Fabric crate built on a rigid, collapsible frame
• Collapsible metal pens

The sizes of crates too vary quite a lot. Crates should be bought at one of the pet supply shops or pet supply catalogs.

Crate size should be just big enough to let the dog stand up and turn around inside. If your dog is growing still, the size should be such that it will accommodate his adult size. If there is any extra space in the crate, block it off, so that the dog cannot eliminate in a corner and retreat to the other. You may rent a crate from your local animal shelter. Renting a crate is useful for crating your dog till he grows to an adult size and once he does, you can invest in a correct sized permanent crate.

Process of Crate Training

How long crate training will take depends on the dog’s age, personality and past experience. It may take some days or even weeks. You should keep some things in mind while crate training your dog:

• The crate should necessarily be related to something pleasing.
• Training should be divided in a series of small steps. You should not go too fast.

Step 1: Introduction with the Crate

Position the crate in a room where the family spends most of the time, like a family room. Put a soft towel or blanket in the crate. Keep the door open and let the dog explore the inside at his pace. Some dogs immediately like such a place and start sleeping in there. If your dog is not amongst them:

Bring him near the crate and speak with him in a loving tone. Ensure that the door is open and secured, and won’t hit the dog.

Attract your dog inside the crate by keeping a food treat first near it, then just near the door and lastly right inside the crate. If he is not tempted with food, you can also use a toy or any of his favorite things. If he refuses to enter at first, it’s okay; don’t force him.

Step 2: Feeding Inside the Crate

Once the dog is introduced to the crate, start feeding him near the crate, so that pleasant memories will be associated with the crate. If the dog is readily eating inside the crate, you can keep the food dish at the back of the crate, but if he is not, keep it just near the door, so that he can eat it keeping him half outside. Then keep the dish a little further every time. Once he starts standing inside the crate while eating, close the door. But initially, take care to open the door right after he finishes. Then each time lengthen this time a little, till he gets a practice of remaining inside for ten minutes after eating. Go very slowly and don’t force about anything. If he whines to be let out, you have lengthened the time too fast. Don’t do that.

Eventually you should apply steps like lengthening the period of crating while you are at home and later when you are not at home.

Potential problems while crating are whining and crying of the dog when he is inside the crate at night. If you cannot make out whether he is in need of letting out or eliminating, understand that he might be testing you and stop whining soon. If whining continues for many minutes, use the phrase associated with going out for eliminating. If he responds, take him out.

The entire crating process should be done patiently and treating the dog very lovingly all the time. If he doesn’t like to go in the crate or keeps whining while inside the crate, without the need of eliminating, you may need to start the crate training over again. So, be patient and humane with the dog. You can even do this, if you really love your dog!