Crate Training

A crate is a great tool for providing your dog with their own space in your home. Using a crate helps speed up house training, prevents destructive chewing, and can be used if your dog or puppy needs a break from household activity. Many behavior problems can be prevented or solved by teaching your dog to relax alone in a safe, dog-proof space.

Introduce the Crate

Your dog’s crate should be big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lay flat but not much bigger. If the crate is too large, your dog may feel comfortable using one end as a bed and one as a bathroom. Place the crate in a quiet part of the house where your dog won’t be distracted or stressed by people moving around or sights and sounds from outside. Place a comfortable bed and some toys in the crate. 

Toss some special treats inside and see if your dog goes in to get them. If they seem comfortable, you can start crate training immediately. If they are fearful or unsure of the crate, take some time to help them see the crate as a good thing. Block the door open and leave treats around and inside the crate for you dog to find. Put your dog’s food bowl in front of the crate and then slowly move it inside so your dog is eating all of their meals there. Once your dog easily goes inside, you can begin training them to stay inside with the door closed.

Starting Training
Crate training goes as quickly as your dog is comfortable. With a calm dog, you can often work through many steps in one day. While working through the steps, try not to let your dog out or give them attention for whining or barking. However, if your dog starts to panic or is biting the bars and digging hard enough to hurt themselves, let them out immediately and consult a professional.

During each of the steps:

  1. Cue your dog (“Go to Bed/Crate”, “Kennel”, etc). 
  2. Reward your dog when they are inside the crate.
  3. Wait or move away based on the step you are on.
  4. Release your dog to come out of the crate with another cue (“okay”, “release”, etc).
  5. Stop rewarding.

Only getting treats when they are in the crate makes being inside a great thing and being let out less exciting. Practice each step several times or until you build up the recommended time or distance. You will be teaching your dog to relax separately for a time, then with you out of the room, and finally when you are out of the house. Give your dog breaks between steps to go outside or play for a little while.

Steps:

  1. Treat Toss: Say your cue then toss treats into the crate for the dog to follow.
  2. Just the Cue: Use the cue but don’t toss treats. You can point if it helps your dog.
  3. Close the Door: Briefly close the door, treat through the bars, open the door.
    1. Build up slowly to a minute or two of the door closed.
  4. Leave the Room: Close the door and treat. Take a few steps away, return and open the door.
    1. Build up to leaving the room very briefly.
  5. Build Up Time: Give your dog a food-stuffed toy or chew. Stay nearby but read or watch TV.
    1. Do this for about 30 minutes, starting in smaller durations if needed.
  6. Leave the Room: Build up from 10 minutes to an hour.
  7. Leave the House: Build up from 10 minutes to 1-2 hours.​

Usually once a dog can relax alone for a couple hours, they can stay happily for longer, if appropriate for their age, without additional training. 

Maximum Time in a Crate

Your dog should never be in a crate longer than they can hold their bladder as this can damage house training as well as cause health issues. Most dogs are able to stay in the crate overnight, though young puppies often need extra potty breaks during the night. General recommendations for maximum time in a crate, based on age, are:

  • 8–10 weeks: 30–60 minutes
  • 11–14 weeks: 1–3 hours
  • 15–16 weeks: 3–4 hours
  • 17+ weeks: 4–5 hours

Alternatives to a Crate

If your dog is stressed in a crate, they may be able to relax in a different type of safe space. An exercise pen or dog-proofed room can serve the same purpose of preventing problem behavior and giving your dog their own area. However, a larger space may not help as much with house training since your pup can find a place to eliminate away from their bed. 

 

 

This material was written in collaboration with dog behavior consultant Jessica Char.
Learn more at   www.CanineEngineering.com