Crate-training a dog can involve a little bit of time and effort – but the end result usually justifies the work. In the end, your dog will have a space that they can retreat to in times of stress. This can be particularly beneficial in dogs that are being transported from one place to another. It can also help to eliminate toilet problems.
Crate training is often unfairly labelled as cruel or unnatural. But provided that you do it in the right way, it’s anything but these things. Let’s take a look at what the right way is.
Choosing the right crate
Crates come in many sizes and materials. You should choose a crate that’s just large enough for the dog to stand and turn in. There are plastic crates and metal ones – choose something that will be substantial enough to contain your dog.
What arguably matters just as much as the crate itself is the place you put it. Choose an area of your home where the family spends the most time. This will help your dog to feel relaxed and safe when they step into the crate for the first time.
Getting started
It’s important to take things slowly. If you try to force the issue, your dog will begin to associate the crating process with stress and anger. Make the safe a positive one with the help of treats, toys, and comfortable bedding. Make sure that the door to the crate is securely open, and leave a trail of small food items leading to the inside.
Basic crate training techniques
Once your dog has gotten used to the crate, you can begin leaving regular meals in there. Leave the dish at the entrance the first time you feed the dog in this way, and then move it back a little further for each subsequent mealtime. Make sure they’ve got a food they’re happy with. Sensitive dog food might help to create the right comfortable environment.
Teaching the “crate command” or cue
The idea is that your dog eventually learns to enter the crate outside of mealtimes. Once the dog is comfortable with the crate, you might issue an instruction command, along with a treat. Point to the inside of the crate, issue the command, and offer the treat when they enter the crate. Praise and encouragement will help to reinforce the training.
From here, you can gradually increase the length of time you leave the dog alone in the crate. Before long, you’ll be able to leave them in the crate overnight.
Addressing common challenges
Dog owners looking into crate training often find themselves bumping against a handful of common challenges. Of these, the most common is probably whining or barking inside the crate. It’s vital that you don’t reward this behaviour by removing them from the crate. If you think that your dog needs to eliminate, you can take them out into the garden – but don’t interact with them while you’re doing it.
Separation anxiety is another common problem. The crate isn’t a solution for separation anxiety – dealing with it requires desensitisation and other techniques.
Maintaining crate training success
Crate training works best when it’s done consistently. Establish a training routine every day, and build on it. Keep a diary so you can track your progress. If your dog isn’t responding to the training, you might adjust your approach.
For all of the advantages of crate training, we should also be aware of the drawbacks. Don’t rely on confinement as a solution to every problem, and don’t push the dog into accepting the crate too quickly – you’ll risk them resenting it.