Crate training your dog will take more time and effort than you expect.
Most dogs won’t go in the crate and they’ll give you a hard time.
However, putting your dog in a crate will help you limit his access to your house until he becomes familiar with the house rules.
What Will I Learn?
Choosing a Crate
Let’s discuss how to choose a crate.
First, you need to measure your dog from the tip of his head to the base of his tail. The size of the crate must be 2-3 inches taller and longer than your dog so that he can stand up, stretch out, lie down, turn around, and get out of the cage.
Crates are either plastic (known as fight kennels), metal, or collapsible. They come in different shapes and sizes. You can buy them at a local pet store. Choose a crate that is long-lasting, comfortable, and pliable so that it can withstand your training.
For dogs who love to sleep in the dark, you can go for an airline crate or kennel. But, wire crates are considered the best for other dogs.
ABC’s of Crate Training
Crate training can take weeks and even months to complete. You cannot stop until it is permanently engrained in your dog. Here are the steps involved in crate training.
1. Introduce your dog to the crate
Place the crate in a spot where all of your family members will be, like the family room. Spread a soft towel or blanket in the crate. Get your dog and speak to him in a happy tone. Take him over to the crate. Please make sure that the crate is opened correctly. If not, it might hit your dog and frighten him.
2. Build your base in the proper mindset
Always consider your dog’s mindset. If he is in a playful mood, and you try to put him in the crate, he will keep on coming out of the crate. Try to get him to the crate when he is in a calm and resting mood. It will make him associate the crate with a resting spot.
3. Feed your dog near the crate
Place your dog’s dish near the crate. If he voluntarily walks into the crate, place the dish at the back of the crate. If he is still not entering the crate, get the dish nearer to the crate or inside it. Every time you feed him, put the dish a little further back in the crate.
4. Play some crate games
You can introduce your dog to some fun games that involve the crate. It will give him a positive impression of the crate. Throw a ball and ask him to fetch it or hide treats in the crate for him to find. Encourage him by pointing out the crate. You can also train him with a command like “kennel up.”
5. Reward your dog with a treat
When your dog goes to the crate, give him a treat so that he will repeat it again and again for the treats. Over time, he will get used to staying in the crate for a long time, and you won’t need any treats.
6. Leaving the dog out of the crate when at work
If your dog is staying in the crate for 30 minutes straight, you can start leaving him in the crate when you go out for some time. Leave him some treats and toys in the crate to keep him occupied.
But if you are going to work, you cannot leave him in the crate. Try to dog-proof the room he is staying in to ensure he doesn’t get hurt or pee or poop anywhere.
7. When to stop using the crate at night
In the beginning, it is advisable to keep the rate in your bedroom or a nearby hallway. Because dogs need their nighttime to go outside and eliminate, if you don’t let him out, your dog will start whining and become anxious. Keep him near you, so you can let him out to prevent whining and separation anxiety.
You can place the crate wherever you want at night and leave the door open when your dog is fully house-trained.
8. When to let your dog out of the crate
It is estimated that it takes between 18 and 24 months for a dog to be fully house-trained. But, the goofy guys will take more time than this. Sometimes, you don’t need to worry about that because most dogs will consider their crates as their bedroom and have no issues sleeping, playing, or resting in them while you are gone.
How to Train a Puppy Without a Crate
Training your dog without a crate is quite challenging but possible. It would be best if you established a correct feeding and potty schedule. It will teach him the routine. Don’t forget to praise him and give him treats when he has done it correctly. Take him out and play with him. Take him for a walk every day. Do not punish him. Instead, call him a bad boy in a firm tone.
Crating Dogs Together
Crating multiple dogs together will be catastrophic. Introducing your dog to a crate is to provide him a safe and private place. Even small dogs who have been raised together must have separate crates. You can place the crates in the same room for company, but you cannot place your dogs in one crate.
Use an Easy Out Pet Release
There is a product called “Easy Out Pet Door Opener”. By using it, you can open the crate door from wherever you are. You can either open the door using your smartphone or by pre-setting automatic times every day. It can be easily linked to wire crates and is adaptable to other doors.
A crate is the safest way to transport your dog by car, bus, and train. If you train your pup correctly, he will think of the crate as a safe zone and spend time in it without complaining.