Crate Training 101

"Its like living in jail - its cruel - I'd never put my dog in a cage." For some pet owners, this is their first reaction. As humans, we inherently value freedom and thus, envision crates as inhumane. Logically, considering your pet as an extension of your family, you don’t want to ‘punish’ your four-legged baby. Perhaps a better way to look at it would be to ask yourself if you would raise an infant without a crib in which to sleep? 

"I love having a place of my own; I have my blanket, my favorite toys, no body bothers me in here, it's all mine." Maybe not a direct quote, but it’s beneficial to see a crate from another point of view. Dogs naturally have a den instinct, one that a crate helps to satisfy. While humans may see it as ‘closed in,’ Fido will see it as ‘safe.’ To him, it will be ‘home.’

 Besides being an effective housebreaking tool by taking advantage of the dog's natural reluctance to soil his sleeping place, crate training can also help to reduce separation anxiety, to prevent destructive behavior, to help ensure your pup’s safety and to serve as a mobile indoor dog house that can be moved from room to room, place to place whenever necessary.

Things to Consider when Setting Up Fido’s Crate

 • Size: Whichever type of dog crate you choose, it should be large enough to allow Fido to stretch out, to sit up straight, to stand up and to turn around. But beware- a dog crate that is too large defeats the purpose of providing security and promoting potty training. If you want to purchase a crate large enough for Adult Fido, be sure it comes with an adjustable divider to block off part of it initially, keeping your pup feeling snug and secure.

• Materials: Dog crates are available in a wide array of materials, including wire, plastic, canvas and wood. Some people prefer to start with a wire crate as these are less prone to being chewed in the early days of crate training. Those who intend to travel with Fido may opt for hard plastic airline crates. The important thing is that it’s durable and has plenty of ventilation. Check out our product round up of crates and gates HERE.

• Bedding: For potty training purposes, it’s recommended that the bed cover the entire floor of the dog crate, helping to build bladder and bowel control as Fido will not want to soil his bed. You may also opt for a simple blanket or towel instead of a bed, especially in the early phases of potty training and teething.

• Food and Water: The general consensus is that it’s best to avoid leaving food and water in the crate with your pup. This is especially true during potty training as it’s much easier, for both you and Fido, to be on a regular schedule.

 How do I acclimate my dog to the crate?

 As you might suspect- or have already learned the hard way!- you can't simply put your dog in a crate and expect the whole concept to work. But with a little time and patience, you can successfully teach your pup to view his crate as his own special place. Here are a few guidelines to get started:

• Start by setting up your pup’s new crate in a common area like the living room or kitchen. Leave its door open and allow Fido to adjust to seeing it, smelling it, etc.

• After a few days, place all of Fido’s toys just inside the door. Hence, if he wants a toy, he will have to climb into the crate to retrieve it. You can also use special treats as further encouragement to enter the crate. Day after day, move the toys or treats further back. It will only take a day or two before your dog starts to go into the crate to lie down.

• Once your pup is comfortable relaxing in his crate, begin closing the door for a few minutes at a time. When Fido is no longer relaxed, open the door, praise him and let him exit the crate.

• Gradually increase the length of time the crate door is kept closed while you're in the room. Eventually, your pup will lie there quietly until he falls asleep.

• Once this is comfortable for your pup, leave the room and then the house, but then return immediately, reassuring Fido that you will always return. Move on to leaving your dog for longer and longer periods of time- 5 minutes, 15 minutes, an hour, etc.- until Fido no longer barks or whines after your departure.

• As you continue increasing the time, establish a fixed routine of leaving the house, such as picking up your keys, putting on your coat, then saying goodbye to Fido.

Things to Remember When Using a Crate

 • Most importantly, NEVER use the crate as punishment and NEVER punish your pup while he’s in his crate. The goal is for Fido to see his crate as a safe, secure and happy place- never to associate it with negative experiences!

• Also, do not use a crate if your dog does not have bladder/bowel control, has diarrhea or vomiting, or in excessive heat.

• As a general rule, Fido can stay in his crate one hour for every month of his age up to 8 hours- the average work day- if necessary. However, 3-4 hour increments in the crate are best, if possible.

• By crating Fido when you’re home AND while you’re gone, your dog becomes comfortable in the crate and not worried that you’re leaving him alone never to return, helping to prevent separation anxiety later on.

• Although the crate is Fido’s haven, it must not be off-limits to humans. From the beginning, he needs to learn that you and other family members can reach inside the crate at any time.

• Especially important during the early stages of crate training, never let Fido out of his crate while he’s barking or he’ll learn that barking is the key to opening the crate door. Try to wait at least 30 seconds after the barking or whining has stopped before opening the door. 

A crate can provide peace of mind for both you and your pup. Think of it as a leash with walls. After all, both pieces of equipment serve to protect your dog from his own base instincts and errors in judgment. Both pieces also protect your home when you’re not there. A king has his castle, a child yearns for his own room, an infant is placed in a crib for safekeeping. Doesn’t Fido deserve the very same consideration?

Erin Thomas is the owner of Summerville's Lowcountry Pet Sitters, the area's premier in-your-home pet care service.  For more information, please visit www.LCPetSitters.com or call 843-327-7487.