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Crate Training

Is a crate cruel?

No.  Dogs are naturally denning creatures.  A den provides a safe and secure environment that literally becomes home for the dog.  A crate is a simple and effective way to take advantage of this instinct and provide an area that is purely his own.  It provides a place that is safe from the hazards of the home, safe from destructive behaviors when unattended, and secure in the knowledge that his master is coming back for him.

Crate training provides a controlled and structured environment for your dog that he will appreciate.  Quite often, as the puppy grows and freedom is earned, the dog will return to his crate for a nap whether or not you told him to and whether or not you close the door.  It's his place. 

Why should I crate train?

Taking advantage of the denning instinct gives both you and your dog peace of mind, and allows your puppy to adapt to his new environment much faster.  When used correctly, the structured environment can greatly ease house breaking and certain behavior problems, and prevent household accidents by routine effective confinement thereby avoiding frustration and the dog's confusion by your reaction to certain behavior problems. 

Puppies learn from their mothers not to eliminate where they sleep.  Crating your puppy teaches him to hold rather than to eliminate.  Without a crate, your puppy will eliminate where convenient instead of holding, and it will take much longer to teach him the correct behavior of holding until he is brought outside.  Crate training also allows your puppy some quiet time.  When your puppy is getting to rambunctious, and your just can't keep up anymore, you can crate him and he will soon settle down, giving your both a break.  The crate should never be used as punishment.  In this example, you are just crating him for peace of mind for you both.  After all, a crate is much cheaper than replacing a couch, chair, woodwork, wallpaper, etc.

When can I start crate training?

Your puppy can begin training at 8 weeks of age.  Even older dogs with some behavior problems can greatly benefit from crate training.  The structured environment has many benefits for dogs of all ages.  Older dogs who chew up the house when you're gone, (separation anxiety), will be much happier being prevented from causing trouble rather than being punished for it.  The method of training is the same for any age dog. 

How do you crate train?

First, you choose a crate that is airline approved whether or not you'll be flying.  These are the crates that are mostly hard plastic with wire mesh windows and door.  This more closely approximates the denning of choice.  The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lay flat on his side comfortably.  Put the crate in a room of the house where the dog can see most of the goings - on. Do not put paper in the crate, only a couple of well selected small toys.  The location is important because he wants to feel participation even when he's crated.  Also, no water should be in a puppy's crate so you don't force an accident. 

Introduce your puppy/dog to the crate and put him in it while telling him "kennel up".  He will probably whine a little but will soon settle down.  Do not talk to or acknowledge the puppy/dog while crated as this will just make him anxious.  In a short while, let him out.  Be careful not to let him out while he is whining or you will be reinforcing the wrong behavior.  At first, keep the times short.  Your puppy/dog needs to know that you'll soon be back for him.  Gradually increase the time he is comfortably crated keeping in mind that young puppies need to eliminate fairly often.  Soon, as the comfortable time grows, when you say "kennel up", he'll just walk right in.  If you make it a habit of giving him a small treat every time he goes in his kennel upon command, you will soon watch him run into the crate with all his vigor. 

Your puppy should be crated whenever you are unable to watch him, when you go to bed, and when you leave the house.  He should only be crated for a few hours at a time during the day, and his collar should be removed for safety.  Don't forget to exercise your puppy before and after crating. 

If you decide to get a crate that your dog can also use when he is fully grown, you'll need to block off the back half with a large sheet of cardboard to make it smaller while he is a small puppy.  Otherwise, the large crate size will enable him to sleep at one end and eliminate at the other. 

Your dog is a valuable part of your family.  Let him participate, enjoy, and share.  Your dog should never be denied the human companionship he needs and craves.