How to Crate Train a Dog or Puppy – Crate Training your Dog

Crate training is a process by which a dog or puppy is house-trained. If you think crating is suitable for house training and instilling discipline in your canine friend, read on to know about how to crate train a dog or puppy.

Crate training requires a lot of patience on the dog owner’s part. It helps to train your dog or puppy all the rules of the house. You can train your pet dog not to eliminate anywhere in the house. A crate becomes a den for the dog. It’s his own safe haven. It is also a safe way to transport your dog. You can use the crate to take him to places where dogs are not allowed to run freely. You should take care to provide enough water to the dog when he is confined to the crate.

Choosing a Crate

When choosing a crate, you should opt for plastic or metal dog kennels. Collapsible kennels are also available. Before starting crate training, you should keep in mind that the kennel has to be placed in an area where the dog constantly feels the presence of your family members near him. Crate training has to be linked to good things like dog treats and lots of praises. Moreover, it is a slow process, so go step by step when crate training your dog.

Crate Training your Dog or Puppy

The dog or puppy should be introduced to the kennel. Talk to him in happy tones and encourage him to enter the kennel. Keep a soft blanket or towel inside the kennel as a bedding. Now, to make him enter the crate, drop in some of his favorite treats near the door, then slowly drop them further in, right till the end. If your dog refuses to get the treats, then throw in his favorite toy. If your dog does not enter the first time, do not force him. Keep trying, this may either take a few minutes or even several days.

Once the dog is introduced into the crate, provide his meals near the crate. If your dog happily enters the crate, then keep the dish right at the end of the crate. If your dog seems reluctant to enter further inside, then place the dish near the entrance, slowly pushing the dish further in, each time you feed him. Do not place the dish inside the crate if your dog or puppy seems anxious to enter inside.

When your dog happily reaches inside the kennel for dog food, close the door of the kennel behind him. Open the door immediately once he finishes his meal. With time, leave the door closed for a few minutes, slowly increase the duration to 10 minutes. If the dog or puppy starts whining it means you have increased the time span too soon. Once the 10 minutes barrier is crossed, keep the dog for shorter periods of time. If the dog whines, do not let him out. This will form a notion in his mind that every time he whines, he will not be let out.

Once the dog is comfortable inside his crate, call out to him with a treat in your hand. Ask him to enter the kennel and once he enters, give him a treat. Close the door of the kennel and sit quietly next to the kennel for 5 minutes or so. Leave the room and come back after some time to release the dog. The time period should gradually be increased over several weeks. Give a specific command, which will make the dog understand that he is supposed to enter the kennel. Once the dog stays quietly in his kennel for 30 minutes, keep him there for longer periods. You can let him sleep there during the night. Remember, crating is a slow process. Your dog may take several weeks to become accustomed to the new routine.

You can leave the house by keeping the dog in the crate. About 20 minutes or so prior to leaving the house, call your dog and encourage him to enter the kennel. Give him his treats and drop in his favorite toys. Talk to him for a few minutes and leave the room without much fuss. When you arrive back from your trip, do not greet him in the same excited manner as he will greet you. Calmly talk to him and then release him. You should continue crating your dog even when you are home. This will prohibit him to associate crating with being left alone.

The kennel should be kept in your bedroom at night when you are crate training your dog. This will be helpful as the dog won’t think of it as social isolation. Puppies may want a potty trip and you will hear them whimpering in the night when kept away from you. While crate training a puppy, one should remember not to confine him for more than 3 to 4 hours at a stretch. Do not leave the puppy alone or unsupervised for long periods of time.

You may face an initial problem, that is, whining. Puppies and dogs may keep whining to grab your attention. But make sure it is not a call for visit to the potty. Call out the phrase that you use to take him out. If he is excited, then release him. If you are convinced it is not regarding nature’s call, ignore his whining. After some time of whining, the dog or pup will naturally calm down. It won’t be a problem if you have carried out the steps of crate training properly. If the whining is non-stop and unbearable, you may have to start the process of crate training all over again.

During crate training, one should keep in mind that the dog or pup is not confined for long hours. This may make the dog feel trapped. Do not leave the dog in the crate when you leave for work and then again during the nights. The dog should be given ample physical and emotional freedom. Crating is a way to discipline a dog for his bladder and bowel movements, and keeping him comfortable in a confined area during outdoor visits. Thus, you should allow the dog to move freely, according to his physical needs. Crate train your pup or dog with the utmost patience and love, and you’ll have an obedient, faithful and trustworthy friend for life.

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