Training a puppy to use a crate harnesses the dog’s innate tendency to find a cozy, peaceful, and secure spot when the surroundings become too noisy or stressful. This method is crucial for preventing the dog from gnawing on household items or during the potty-training process. Additionally, crates serve as a secure means of transporting your dog in a vehicle.

Exercise caution when using crates

A crate is not a miracle fix for typical dog behavior issues. When utilized improperly, it may make a dog feel confined and upset. Furthermore, for certain dogs, crates may not be a viable choice.

While crates can be employed to regulate behavior, they should never serve as a disciplinary measure. For instance, placing your dog in a crate with a stimulating toy during guest visits to prevent accidents with food or jumping is more productive than disciplining them after they misbehave by isolating them. Regardless of when it happens, using rewards to lure your dog into the crate

Avoid keeping your dog in the crate for extended periods. A dog confined to a crate around the clock lacks sufficient exercise and social interaction, which may lead to depression or anxiety. You might need to adjust your routine, engage a pet sitter, or enroll your dog in daycare to minimize the amount of time they spend in the crate daily. Moreover, crates are not the sole solution. If you want to prevent a puppy from chewing on items or having accidents at night, you can use a leash in your bedroom to allow them limited movement in a small area while ensuring they don’t stray while you sleep.

Puppies younger than 6 months old shouldn’t be left in a crate for longer than three to four hours consecutively. They aren’t able to hold their bladder or bowels for that duration, even during the potty-training process. This rule also applies to adult dogs undergoing housetraining.

Keep your dog in a crate until they can be left alone in the house without incidents of accidents or destructive behavior. You can then transition your dog from a crate to a confined area of your home, such as the kitchen, before granting them access to the entire house when you’re not present.

The crate should always include a cozy bed, and the door should remain ajar when you’re home so your dog can retreat to it whenever they seek a secure spot. This also signals that your dog requires some peaceful downtime. Instruct children and guests to give your puppy some space if they enter their crate.

A crate may serve as your dog’s sanctuary, but just as you wouldn’t live in a single room of your house all the time, your dog shouldn’t spend the majority of their time confined to a crate.

Crates are available in various sizes and can be purchased from most pet supply stores or online retailers. Some are adjustable to fit your dog as they grow, making them suitable for puppies. The crate should be spacious enough for your dog to stand and turn around comfortably. If your dog is still maturing, opt for a crate size that will suit their adult size. Your local animal shelter might offer crate rentals. By renting, you can upgrade to the right size for your puppy until they reach adulthood, at which point you can purchase a permanent crate.

The training process

Crate training can take several days or weeks, depending on your dog’s age, personality, and past experiences. While crate training, it’s crucial to remember two key points: The crate should consistently be linked to positive experiences, and training should progress in a series of gradual steps. Avoid rushing the process.

Step 1: Introduce your dog to the crate

Position the crate in a part of your house where the family frequently gathers, like the living room. Add a cozy blanket or bed inside the crate. Remove the door or keep it ajar and allow the dog to explore the crate whenever they want. Some dogs will be inherently inquisitive and start sleeping in the crate straight away. If yours isn’t, consider the following:

Position the crate in a spot in your home where the family often spends time, such as the living area. Place a comfortable blanket or bed inside the crate. Remove the door or keep it slightly open and give the dog the freedom to explore the crate whenever they feel like it. Some dogs will be innately inquisitive and start using the crate for sleeping right away. If your dog doesn’t take to it immediately:

• Lead them to the crate and speak to them in a cheerful manner. Ensure that the crate door is open and securely fastened to prevent it from closing unexpectedly and startling your dog.
• Motivate your dog to step into the crate by placing some small treats close by, then just inside the doorway, and eventually all the way inside the crate. If they hesitate to go in completely at first, it’s fine; don’t coerce them into entering.
• Keep placing treats inside the crate until your dog comfortably walks all the way in to retrieve the food. If treats don’t entice them, try throwing in their favorite toy. This phase might take a few minutes or several days.

Step 2: Feed your dog meals in the crate

Once you’ve acquainted your dog with the crate, start giving them their usual meals close to it. This will establish a positive connection to the crate.

If your dog easily goes into the crate when you move to Step 2, position the food bowl or an engaging puzzle toy filled with treats at the far end of the crate.

If they continue to hesitate about entering, put the dish just inside to the point where they are comfortable without feeling scared or nervous. Gradually, with each feeding, move the dish slightly deeper into the crate.

Once your dog is happily standing in the crate to enjoy its meal, you can shut the door during feeding time. The initial time you do this, open the door right after they finish eating. Subsequently, with each meal, keep the door closed for a few minutes longer, until they are comfortable staying in the crate for about 10 minutes post-meal.

If they start whining to be released, you might have incremented the duration too swiftly. For the next attempt, try keeping them in the crate for a briefer period.

Step 3: Practice with longer crating periods

Once your dog has consumed its usual meals in the kennel without showing any signs of distress or worry, you can keep them there for brief intervals while you are present.

Summon them to the kennel and reward them with a snack.

Provide them with a verbal signal to go in, like “kennel.” Motivate them by gesturing towards the interior of the crate with a reward in your palm.

Once your dog steps into the kennel, commend them, offer them the snack, and shut the door.

Remain silently close to the kennel for five to ten minutes, then move to another room for a brief period. Come back, sit quietly once more for a little while, and finally release them.

Carry out this procedure multiple times daily, slowly extending the duration they are left in the kennel and the period you are out of their view.

When your dog can remain calmly in the kennel for approximately 30 minutes with you mostly not visible, you can start leaving them there when you’re absent for brief intervals and/or allowing them to sleep there overnight. This process might take several days or weeks.

Step 4, Part 1: Crate your dog when you leave

Once your dog can comfortably stay in the kennel for roughly 30 minutes without showing signs of distress or fear, you can start placing them there for brief durations while you’re away from home.

Place them in the kennel using your usual cue and a reward. Additionally, you may want to provide them with a couple of appropriate toys inside the crate.

Change the timing of placing your dog in the crate during your preparation routine for departure. While they shouldn’t be confined in the crate for an extended period before you go, you can put them in there anywhere from five to 20 minutes before you leave.

Avoid making your departures emotional and drawn-out—they should be straightforward. Give your dog a quick commendation, reward them for going into the crate, and then exit calmly.

Upon returning home, refrain from rewarding your dog’s excited behavior by reacting enthusiastically. Keep your arrivals subdued to prevent heightening their anxiety about your return. Occasionally continue to place your dog in the crate for brief intervals when you’re at home so they don’t connect crate time solely with being left behind.

Step 4, Part 2: Crate your dog at night

Place your dog in the kennel using your usual command and a reward. At first, it might be wise to situate the kennel in your bedroom or close by in a corridor, particularly if you have a young puppy. Young puppies frequently need to relieve themselves outdoors during the night, and you’ll want to hear them when they whimper to be let out. Adult dogs should also be kept close initially to prevent them from feeling socially isolated due to the kennel.

Once your dog is comfortably sleeping through the night with the kennel close by, you can start slowly relocating it to your preferred spot. However, any time spent with your dog, including during sleep, is an opportunity to deepen your bond with your pet.

Potential problems

Whimpering: If your dog whimpers or cries while inside the kennel at night, it can be challenging to determine if they are whimpering to be released from the kennel or if they need to go outside to relieve themselves. If you have adhered to the training steps mentioned earlier, then your dog hasn’t been rewarded in the past for whimpering by being let out of their kennel. In that case, try to disregard the whimpering. If your dog is merely testing you, they will likely stop whimpering shortly. Never discipline them for whimpering.

If the whimpering doesn’t cease after ignoring it for a few minutes, use the command they link with going outdoors to relieve themselves. If they react positively and get excited, take them outside. This outing should serve a specific purpose, not be a play session. Stand in a specific spot in your yard where they typically go to the bathroom and wait. If you are certain that your dog doesn’t need to relieve themselves, the best action is to disregard them until they stop whimpering. If you have advanced through the training stages slowly and haven’t rushed things, you are less likely to face this issue. If the problem becomes uncontrollable, you might need to revisit the crate training process from scratch.

Separation distress: Using the kennel as a solution for separation distress will not address the underlying issue. While a kennel may prevent your dog from causing damage, they could harm themselves while trying to escape. Separation distress issues can only be resolved through counterconditioning and desensitization techniques. You may wish to seek assistance from a professional animal behavior expert.