Tips for Crate Training
A crate is one of the kindest things you can do for your dog or puppy. It is a training tool that provides a safety zone and an undisturbed place for the dog to have his own space. If you use a crate, you can leave your dog at home alone for a few hours with complete peace of mind knowing that nothing in the house can be soiled or destroyed. Your dog will be comfortable and secure in his crate, without an opportunity to develop behavior problems.
New crates can be purchased at pet supply stores. Used crates may be found at yard sales and in bargain hunter ads. A good wire or plastic crate costs $75-$100, but this is a bargain compared to the costs of replacing a sofa, woodwork, or carpeting. A crate should be large enough to permit the dog to stretch out flat on one side, with legs extended, and to sit up without hitting his head. If you have a puppy, buy a crate that will be large enough for him as an adult. You can block off one end of it with a box until he grows larger. This will prevent him from having enough room to go to the bathroom in one end and sleep in the other.
The object is to help your puppy develop a clear understanding that the bathroom is outside in a designated area, and the house and training crate are off limits for “doing his business.” If the pup is under 10 weeks, he isn’t capable of “holding it” more than 3-4 hours so if you must leave him longer than that, or at night, it is wise to allow him access to a small area outside the crate so he won’t have to soil the crate. You might want to put the crate in the bathroom and leave the crate door open so he can relieve himself outside the crate if he needs to go. Puppies usually accept the crate within a day. An adult dog needs a gradual introduction with pleasant and positive associations.
Encourage the dog to enter the crate with tidbits of food. Let him walk in and out of the crate at will for a day. Coax him to lie down and relax. Shut the door briefly while you sit with him. Praise him enthusiastically. His bedding and a chew toy should be placed in the crate. Even if things don’t go smoothly in the beginning, don’t weaken. He will adjust. When you leave your dog in the crate, always remove his collar so he won’t get entangled in the crate.
Put the crate in a “people” area. The bedroom or the kitchen is ideal. REMEMBER: The crate is not a substitute for human companionship. It is a training tool. Your dog still needs plenty of attention and exercise. Use of the crate should be limited to a few hours at a time (adult dogs no more than 6 hours, puppies no more than 4 hours, pups younger than 11 weeks no longer than 2 hours).
When your dog is housebroken and accustomed to being in the crate on a regular basis, and appears calm and happy, you eventually want to start weaning him off the crate by leaving the crate door open. Give him his freedom slowly, so you’re sure he’s reliable. Let him have run of the house for short periods of time. If he has an accident or begins to chew again, return to your original schedule. How long you will need to use the crate will vary with each individual dog. Some dogs may need a crate for only a few weeks; others need one well into adulthood.
If your dog is housebroken and is not being destructive, let him sleep in the bedroom with a family member. This won’t spoil him. Dogs are pack animals and do not like to be alone. If you can’t trust him, consider having a second crate upstairs in your bedroom for nighttime. This also gives him two places to call his own.