Often, people don't crate train their dogs because they view putting their dog in a crate as a punishment. This could be because we humans view it as a cage--a jail. Or, it could be because we do use it as a punishment for our dog when they have become mischievous. But, these are all human attributes we are assigning to our dog. The fact is, dogs are naturally den animals and enjoy small enclosed places. A crate can be a place of security that calms a dog's anxiety. The key is not to accidentally train your dog into thinking of it as a negative space because you use it as "punishment" for dog behaviors you don't want to deal with or haven't trained your dog not to do. A crate should be a place your dog is naturally inclined to want to use to relax. So, how do we do that?
1. A crate should be the right size. You will need to find a crate that not only fits your lifestyle, but fits your dog. Buy a crate that is the adult version for the specific breed of your dog. If you have a puppy, buy a divider that you can use to have the crate "grow with your dog". As the dog grows, move the divider to make more room. A crate should never be too big or too small. Too big, and you aren't giving your dog a den like feel. Too small, and it will be uncomfortable for your dog.
2. Mindset. Wait until your dog is relaxed before you put your dog into the crate. Avoid putting your dog in the crate while they are in the midst of playing. If your dog is not used to a crate, start at 10 minutes & slowly build up to more time.
3. Comfort. It's hard for us humans to believe, but some dogs actually prefer to sleep on a hard surface. You will need to figure out what your dog finds comfortable. Is it a memory foam dog bed? A pillow? Or, is it just a blanket on the bottom of the crate? If you have a wire crate, I find that putting blankets on top of it as a cover helps give the crate more of a "den" feel.
4. Treat. Give your dog a nice treat once they go into the crate. I like to use a filled Kong for my dogs. Remember, chewing is a way dogs alleviate stress!
5. Keep an eye on the Time. Remember, we are slowly building up the time our dog spends in the crate, but that doesn't mean we are building up to a time where our dog is in the crate for hours on end. Even canines need to stretch legs and go to the bathroom! You don't want your dog to start to associate being in the crate as uncomfortable.
6. Collars off. Always take your dog's collar off when they are in the crate. If your dog's collar happens to get caught on something, you risk strangulation.
7. Crate games. When not in use, leave the crate door open for your dog. That way they can enter whenever they feel like it. In addition, occasionally hide treats in there. Or, when playing indoor fetch, throw the ball in there.
8. Set up your dog for success. As you train your dog to love their crate, you will want to set them up for success when you leave the house. Start with small mini trips-- down to the mailbox, a quick trip through drive through coffee, etc... and see how they respond. Do they get worried and anxious? If so, you will need to address this, so your dog does not associate the crate with being worried and anxious. Gradually build up the time duration of your absence. But, remember! Not hours and hours at a time without your dog getting a bathroom break or a walk around the block to stretch their legs.
9. Patience. Don't expect your dog to be crate trained in a couple of weeks. On average, it can take 6-months or longer for a dog to become fully crate trained. It takes a lot of dedication and patience.
10. Human children are not allowed in the crate. If your dog is in the crate relaxing, human children are to leave your dog alone. For more rules for children around dogs visit here.
Remember, dogs naturally are den animals. With proper positive association, a dog can come to love their crate and find it to be a place of relaxation. It also takes a lot of patience on the human end to help your dog learn to love the crate. A crate should never be used as a source of punishment.
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