Crate Training

Originally a crate was used as a safe haven for a dog, a kennel, a home.

A puppy should feel safe in their crate, like it is there to protect them. A place to hide from danger.

Then, crates are also commonly used to help potty train your puppy too – this is because while you are out running your errands in the day time. Your puppy while they are still learning could be left in the crate with food and water during this time, and they are very unlikely to use this crate as a bathroom. Just like you wouldn’t want to go to the toilet in your bed! Puppies under the age of six months old can’t hold their bladders for very long – so remember to not leave your puppy in the crate for more than 3-4 hours. The same concept applies for adult dogs – they are able to hold their bladders, but they simply don’t know that they are supposed to.

Crates are also a great way to limit your puppy while they are learning not to eat your furniture.

Crates are also a perfect way to transport a puppy in the car – and on a plane.

Now, something you need to remember is that a crate isn’t just something you can put your puppy inside and it will just happen. It will take time to get your puppy to trust the crate and see it as a positive thing. If you are not careful the puppy can feel trapped and scared inside the crate.

So knowing this, you must never use a crate to punish your puppy as this can cause the puppy to hate and fear the crate – and then they will always feel stressed when you force them into one.

Remember not to leave your puppy in the crate for too long, use it simply to teach your puppy the rules, and for traveling. Your puppy will still need the right amount of exercise – and if left in the crate for to long they can become depressed. You may leave the crate out if your puppy likes to sleep inside it, but don’t lock your puppy inside it yet. Let them voluntarily sleep there.

When it comes to buying a crate – there are a few different kinds you can choose from.

• A plastic one
• A collapsible one which has metal pins (A lot like a camping tent)
• And then a fabric fold-able one.

Most pet shops sell these crates and you need to buy one that’s the right for your puppy. Remember when buying a crate for a puppy, they will still grow, so buy one that will be suited for their size.

When training your puppy to use the crate follow these few steps:

• Introduce them to the crate – place the crate somewhere where you and your family spend a lot of time. Remove the door of the crate and let your puppies natural curiosity kick in. Your puppy will likely start sleeping in the crate on their own if you place their blanket inside there.

If your puppy isn’t one of these easy ones – Take your puppy over to the crate and speak to them in a happy voice making sure the door is out the way so they don’t feel like you will close it on them. Then, its important to not force your puppy to go inside the crate – use food to encourage them to go there with their own free will. Keep putting treats and toys inside the crate until your puppy begins to trust it.

• You should feed your puppy their meals inside the crate – they will then associate the crate with something positive. When doing this you can slowly move the bowl further and further back each time. When your puppy seems comfortable enough you can close the door of the crate while you are eating. Its important to open the crate as soon as the puppy is finished eating. Every time you do this you can leave the crate closed longer each time. If you rush this, you can cause your puppy to feel uncomfortable and whine. If you let your puppy out the crate when they whine, they will simply think they can cry every time they want to get out the crate. So when the puppy stops crying then you can let them out.

• Then you can begin to lengthen the times of your puppy being in the crate. When you can see your puppy feels more comfortable you can start taking them to the crate, encouraging them to enter the crate, and then closing them inside. Remember to reward them for good behavior. You can start leaving your puppy inside the crate for 5-10 minutes at a time. When your pupppy does this without any fuss – you will start being able to leave your puppy there for longer periods of time. This process can take weeks to perfect.

• When your puppy is at stage where they can be in the crate for 30 minutes you can start leaving your puppy in the crate when you leave the house.  You can put your puppy in the crate about 15 minutes before leaving the house – while you are getting ready. When you return home greet your puppy in a calm manner so that they don’t associate them being in the crate with being left alone. If you show to much excitement your puppy could anticipate your arrival – which isn’t something you want.

You don’t want your puppy to associate the crate with social isolation, so if you do lock your puppy in the crate at night be sure to put it in your bedroom, or somewhere your pup is comfortable with sleeping.