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To Crate Train or Not to Crate Train?

Many people have mixed emotions when it comes to crate training. If misused, a crate can be construed as cruel and even abusive. However, if used properly it can be one of the most valuable things you teach your puppy or dog.

A crate can be a "safe zone" for the times you can not supervise your puppy and keep them away from chewing electrical cords, wood, and other inappropriate or dangerous materials.

It can also be a valuable tool in housetraining your puppy or older dog. Puppies learn from their mothers not to soil where they sleep. When they are still in the whelping box, the puppies crawl away from their sleeping area to eliminate. They are already innately trained not to soil were they sleep.

Crate training should be done positively with no negative associations. The crate should be seen as a den for sleeping or an area they can retreat to that is just their own.

A dog does not necessarily need to be crated its entire life. Many dogs do very well outside of their crate after they have reached maturity, physically and mentally. If you decide that crating is for you, please be mindful that dogs' lives need to be rich and full of exercise and play. Dogs that are crated during the daytime "work" hours, need extra long playtime sessions with you when you get home. Dogs are social beings, and quality time with their family members is the highlight of their days, make it worthwhile!

Other helpful crate training tips:

* Place the crate in a central area, close to where the family spends time. Put it in the family room where everyone hangs out to watch television.

*Place a soft, comfortable bed and some cookies and favorite toys in the crate and leave the door open. When the dog wanders in tell him he is smart and feed more cookies through the crate bars. Give him cookies intermittently when he is inside the crate. If he solicits for cookies or attention when outside the crate, ignore him. If he brings toys or cookies outside the crate, that’s OK. When he has dropped the toys put them back in the crate so that he must return to get them if he wants them. We want him to practice entering the crate. After he has had an opportunity to wander in and out of the crate several times at will, close the crate door with him inside for a few minutes. You can give him cookies and attention when he first goes in. After the door closes, ignore him for a few minutes. Open the door and let him choose whether to stay in or walk out. We want to build positive associations with the crate, but do not want the dog to rely on being showered with treats and attention for the duration he is inside. We begin to introduce some reality. Over time, lean back your schedule of reinforcement. Give fewer cookies and wait for longer periods between delivery of cookies and attention while increasing the amount of time the dog is in the crate.

*Begin to leave the area where the dog is crated for longer and longer periods before returning. It is OK to quietly praise your dog when you leave, but don’t make a fuss when you come back. We don’t want the dog to anxiously anticipate your return. We want the dog to relax during the time spent in the crate.

*Repeat the sequence in other areas of your house if you don’t plan to keep the crate in the family room. If at any point you begin to see anxiety or disruptive behavior, back up to the point he was last successful. Build up from there; make steps smaller (e.g., shorter durations he is in the crate alone, go shorter distances and remain in sight when you leave the area).

*It is important that you don’t let the dog out of the crate while he is barking, whining, digging, etc. Distract the dog so that he is quiet for at least several seconds before you let him out. He needs to learn to exhibit polite behavior before leaving his crate.

Posted on: June 02, 2003