Denning is a natural instinct for dogs – just watch a dog afraid of a thunderstorm. The first thing they do is hide behind or under something to feel protected. For puppies, crate training is most often associated with house breaking, but a crate can be a friend for life when needed. A crate is required for air travel, and even in a car, a crate can contain a pet safely for trips on the road.
The Don’ts
- don’t use a crate a punishment – the puppy will only hate it
- don’t use a crate too small – it should be sized large enough for them to stretch out and be comfortable, but not so large that they can urinate or defecate in the back and then move to the front to sleep.
- Don’t leave the puppy unattended until fully trained and old enough – 3 or 4 hours at a time until about 6 months of age. Younger dogs cannot physically wait 8 or 10 hours for you to come home without going to the bathroom.
- Don’t use puppy “training” or “wee wee pads” in a crate– these items are impregnated with smells of urine/feces to encourage the dog to use them. While tiny dogs may use them in an apartment, rather than going outside, you do not want to encourage your puppy to go in the crate.
The Do’s
- Do make the crate a nice place for them – a blanket or bedding (as long as they won’t chew and eat it!), a snack, bone or favorite toy to keep them occupied. The best testament is a dog that voluntarily goes to rest in their crate.
- Do start with short periods of time and increase the length
- Do use a crate sized properly, as above
- Do use a standard command – I used to say “in your house” – I’ve heard others say “crate” or “crate up”. Use whatever command feels right for you. Just use the same word or phrase consistently every time the dog is put in.
Kinds of crates
I prefer plastic kennels, as those used for air travel like a Skykennel. With solid sides, the puppies field of vision is decreased and some puppies feel safer in a crate with sides.
You can also use metal crates, most often sold as training crates, that are collapsible. I find that some dogs will try and chew the metal sides, and have a chance of getting teeth or paws caught.
The How
Training may take a couple days, or several weeks – it depends on your puppy’s attitude and experience. Puppies crates with their mother will take to it right away, whereas one who has never seen a crate may not be impressed.
- Start by introducing your puppy to the crate. If the puppy already has a blanket or bed, place it inside. Let him explore in and around the crate at will. Gently put puppy inside with a treat, leaving the door open for him to come out.
- Feed puppy in the crate – this will make a positive association between the crate and food (since most puppies are food motivated!).
- Once puppy seems comfortable being inside, close the door. Walk slightly out of their line of sight. A good reaction is one where puppy sits and watches you. Let them out after a few minutes.
- Gradually increase the length of time, and also start leaving the room. You may hear a few whines or barks, but DO NOT rush back in to let them out. Doing so only reinforces this thought: “If I make a fuss Mom/Dad come let me out!” You want them quiet, then go back, lavish with praise and let them out.
- Start using the crate when you leave to run errands, and increase the length of time to the day or overnight as needed when they are old enough to physically wait to be let out for potty.
A crate is like your house – a place where you want to feel safe, but not confined to all the time. Puppies need time to run and play to build muscle and bone, as well as socialize with you and others.
Crating for housebreaking:
- As soon as puppy comes out of the crate, immediately go outside so puppy can urinate and defecate – morning, daytime, last thing at night…every time
- Also take puppy outside right after eating, as usually they are stimulated to defecate after eating
- If nothing happens outside, come back in the house and into the crate. Wait a little bit, then go outside and try again. Young puppies may whine or cry when back in the crate now because they do have to go.
- Once the little one has gone to the bathroom, you can have playtime in the house for a while without worrying he will go on the floor.
- You can establish nap time, just as a parent would with a child. Once on a schedule, you may find that puppy goes to the crate and goes inside all by himself. Mine often put themselves to bed when they were tired at night. Other dogs will go to their crate when they want to be left alone.
Other considerations
A dog that cries at night or unexpectedly during the day: if crate training is successful, and the dog voluntarily go in and rests quietly, crying at night or unexpectedly usually means they have to go out. A puppy with diarrhea, for example, may have to go out several times at night.
Crating does not necessarily solve behavior issues. Separation anxiety for example, when a dog becomes so upset when the owner leaves them alone, is not going to change by being crated. It may help prevent destructive behavior, in the house but the dog may also hurt itself trying to get out of the crate.
For a very young puppy, you may want to keep the crate in the kitchen or main part of the house. Once puppy is older and more trustworthy, in the bedroom might be the best location. Let him sleep near you at night. Once the crate training is complete, you can move the crate to a better location for your life style, or stop using it altogether.
I give up the crates once my dogs reach 2 or 3 years of age, and I know I can trust them in the house alone. However, I know many dogs will continue to use the crate if left open so they have access to it. It’s your choice – and your dogs!