20/10/2024
Crates are like marmite you either love them or hate them and there is a big divide. I think crate training is needed even if you don’t intend to use them regularly and heres how and why -
Crate Training: A Positive Approach
Crate training isn’t just about confinement; it’s about creating a safe, secure environment for your dog. Many owners find crates invaluable when it comes to recovery from injury, travelling, or providing a place to rest. Imagine your dog has an injury and needs strict rest—without a crate, keeping them calm and still can be nearly impossible. I’ve had clients with energetic, large breeds who, after surgery, relied on crate training to help their dogs recover in a calm, safe environment. With enrichment like a Kong or Licki Mat, their dogs stayed occupied without overexerting themselves, allowing the healing process to progress smoothly.
Crates are also the safest option for travelling with your dog. Whether it’s a short trip or a long holiday drive, a crate provides both safety and comfort for your dog, ensuring they are secure in the car.
Breaking the Myths: Crate Training Isn’t Cruel
One of the biggest misconceptions is that crate training is cruel or like imprisoning your dog. In reality, a well-trained dog sees the crate as their personal haven. Overuse can certainly be an issue, but when used correctly, crates become a place of comfort. The key is to balance crate time and ensure it’s always a positive experience, not a form of punishment.
How to Positively Introduce Your Puppy to a Crate – Step-by-Step
• Start Slowly: Place the crate in a quiet, comfortable space where your puppy spends time. Leave the door open and allow them to explore it at their own pace.
• Make it Inviting: Add a soft blanket and a favourite toy. Begin placing treats inside, letting your puppy investigate and discover that good things happen in the crate.
• Mealtime in the Crate: Start feeding your puppy in the crate. This builds a positive association with the crate, linking it to food. When the meal is in the crate, they’ll naturally gravitate towards it.
• Build Duration Gradually: Once your puppy is comfortable, you can start closing the door for short periods while they’re busy with something enjoyable, like eating or playing with a Kong filled with treats.
• Enrichment in the Crate: Introduce enrichment
activities like Kongs, Licki Mats, or chew toys inside the crate. Over time, your puppy will see the crate as a positive space full of rewarding activities.
• Avoid Reinforcing Bad Habits: If your puppy comes out of the crate and no longer has access to the fun or tasty things inside, they’ll quickly learn that staying in the crate means more rewards. It’s their choice, and that makes it even more valuable to them.
Fun Crate Game: The “Food Prison”
This is one of my favourite crate games! It’s simple, fun, and really encourages your dog to *want* to be in the crate. Here’s how it works:
1. Place something your dog absolutely loves inside the crate—maybe some warm steak, fish, or their favourite toy.
2. Close the crate door with the reward inside. Naturally, your dog will be eager to get in, trying to find a way. They’ll sniff around, scratch, and work out how to get to the prize.
3. After a little while, open the crate door, and your dog will shoot inside to claim their reward. Repeat this process, and soon your dog will associate the crate with all things good, realising that the crate is the gateway to amazing things!
Choosing the Right Crate for Your Puppy
When selecting a crate, ensure it’s just big enough for your puppy to lie comfortably, stretch, and turn around. If the crate is too large, especially for young puppies, they might find a corner to use as a toilet, which is something we definitely want to avoid. If you’re investing in a larger crate for when your puppy grows, make sure it comes with a divider so you can adjust the space as they develop.
For strong, energetic breeds (especially the Chewie Bitey types), metal crates are a must—they’re durable and safe. Fabric crates may be suitable for smaller, calmer dogs, but for most puppies, a sturdy metal crate is the best choice.
Another great tip for helping your dog feel safe in the crate is to cover it with a blanket or a purpose-made crate cover. This creates a den-like atmosphere, mimicking the natural instincts of dogs to seek out dark, enclosed spaces like dens. Covering the crate can help your dog relax, switch off, and even drift off to sleep more easily, as the environment becomes dark and cosy.
Crate Training Don’ts: What to Avoid
• Don’t Drag Your Puppy into the Crate: The crate should never feel like a place of force. Dragging your puppy in will only create negative associations, making them resist the crate. Always let them go in willingly by using encouragement, rewards, and positive reinforcement.
• Never Use the Crate as Punishment: It can be tempting to send a dog to their crate when you’re frustrated, but this can create a bad association. Dogs, especially puppies, are often just displaying normal dog behaviour—they aren’t being naughty. Using the crate as a punishment may cause them to feel anxious or fearful, which is the opposite of what we want.
• Don’t Place the Crate in Busy, Noisy Areas: If the crate is placed in a room where there’s lots of activity—children playing, people moving around—it becomes very hard for your puppy to relax. Choose a calm, quiet spot where they can rest peacefully without distractions.
• Ensure the Crate Itself is Quiet: A crate that creaks, rattles, or has flapping parts can easily startle your puppy. Make sure the crate is stable and quiet so that when they move around inside, it doesn’t create unexpected noises that might scare them.
• Don’t Ignore Whining or Crying: If your puppy cries or whines, don’t just leave them to 'tough it out.' When you return to the crate, they will likely quiet down as soon as they see you. In these moments, you can offer emotional support by gently putting your hand through the crate. If you feel they need to come out, you can open the door and let them out calmly.
Crates in Emergencies: Why Early Crate Training Helps
While crates are a great tool for everyday use, they’re also invaluable in emergencies. If your dog has an accident and needs to stay overnight at the vet, or if there’s a situation at home where you need to pop your dog in a crate, having them used to the crate will prevent added stress. However, we don’t want crate training to only happen in these urgent moments. If your dog isn’t familiar with the crate outside of emergencies, they’ll still find it stressful.
Make sure to periodically put your dog in the crate for short periods, using all the positive reinforcement techniques, so they remain comfortable. Just remember, a dog shouldn’t be left in a crate with the door locked for more than three to four hours, unless it’s overnight and you’re letting your puppy out to toilet. Setting an alarm to get up before they wake is a great way to prevent accidents and help them settle back to sleep quickly.
If you need help with crate training or any other behavioural issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Paws Positive Dog Training. We’re here to support you and your dog, and you can contact us on 0788 5520 818 for advice or training sessions.
I hope this guide really helps you with crate training your puppy! Share this post with anyone who might benefit from it.
Happy training from Jane, your dog trainer. 🐕🦺