CRATE TRAINING:
If you like nothing better than coming home from a hard day's work and
finding that your dog decided to "go" on the couch or use your favorite
slippers as a new chew toy, then crate training isn't for you. But, if
you're like most people, then using a crate to properly train your dog
will be time well spent. Crate training takes some time and effort, but
it is a proven way to help train dogs who act inappropriately without
knowing any better. If you have a new dog or puppy, you can use the
crate to limit his access to the house until he learns all the house
rules like what he can and can't chew on and where he can and can't
eliminate. A crate is also a safe way of transporting your dog in the
car or taking him places where he may not be welcome to run freely. If
you properly train your dog to use the crate, he'll think of it as his
safe place and will be happy to spend time there when needed.
Selecting a Crate
Crates may be plastic (often called "flight kennels") or collapsible,
metal pens. They come in different sizes and can be purchased at most
pet supply stores. Your dog's crate should be just large enough for him
to stand up and turn around in. If your dog is still growing, choose a
crate size that will accommodate his adult size. Block off the excess
crate space so your dog can't eliminate at one end and retreat to the
other.
The Crate Training Process
Crate training can take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age,
temperament, and past experiences. It's important to keep two things in
mind while crate training: The crate should always be associated with
something pleasant, and training should take place in a series of small
steps. Don't go too fast.
Step 1: Introducing Your Dog to the Crate
Place the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot
of time, such as the family room. Put a soft blanket or towel in the
crate. Bring your dog over to the crate and talk to him in a happy tone
of voice. Make sure the crate door is open and secured so that it won't
hit your dog and frighten him.
To encourage your dog to
enter the crate, drop some small food treats nearby, then just inside
the door, and finally, all the way inside the crate. If he refuses to go
all the way in at first, that's okay; don't force him to enter. Continue
tossing treats into the crate until your dog will walk calmly all the
way into the crate to get the food. If he isn't interested in treats,
try tossing a favorite toy in the crate. This step may take a few
minutes or as long as several days.
Step 2: Feeding Your Dog His Meals in the Crate
After introducing your dog to the crate, begin feeding him his regular
meals near the crate. This will create a pleasant association with the
crate. If your dog is readily entering the crate when you begin Step 2,
place the food dish all the way at the back of the crate. If instead
your dog remains reluctant to enter the crate, put the dish only as far
inside as he will readily go without becoming fearful or anxious. Each
time you feed him, place the dish a little further back in the crate.
Once your dog is standing comfortably in the crate to eat his meal, you
can close the door while he's eating. The first time you do this, open
the door as soon as he finishes his meal. With each successive feeding,
leave the door closed a few minutes longer, until he's staying in the
crate for ten minutes or so after eating. If he begins to whine to be
let out, you may have increased the length of time too quickly. Next
time, try leaving him in the crate for a shorter time period. If he does
whine or cry in the crate, it's imperative that you not let him out
until he stops. Otherwise, he'll learn that the way to get out of the
crate is to whine, so he'll keep doing it.
Step 3: Conditioning Your Dog to the Crate for
Longer Time Periods
After your dog is eating his regular meals in the crate with no sign of
fear or anxiety, you can confine him there for short time periods while
you're home. Call him over to the crate and give him a treat. Give him a
command to enter, such as "kennel." Encourage him by pointing to the
inside of the crate with a treat in your hand. After your dog enters the
crate, praise him, give him the treat, and close the door. Sit quietly
near the crate for five to ten minutes and then go into another room for
a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time, then let him
out of the crate.
Repeat this process several times a day. With each repetition, gradually
increase the length of time you leave him in the crate and the length of
time you're out of his sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in the
crate for about 30 minutes with you out of sight the majority of the
time, you can begin leaving him crated when you're gone for short time
periods and/or letting him sleep there at night. This may take several
days or several weeks.
Step 4, Part A: Crating Your Dog When Left Alone
After your dog can spend about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming
anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving him crated for short periods
when you leave the house. Put him in the crate using your regular
command and a treat. You might also want to leave him with a few safe
toys in the crate. You'll want to vary at what point in your "getting
ready to leave" routine you put your dog in the crate. Although he
shouldn't be crated for a long time before you leave, you can crate him
anywhere from five to 20 minutes prior to leaving.
Don't make your departures emotional and prolonged, but matter-of-fact.
Praise your dog briefly, give him a treat for entering the crate, and
then leave quietly. When you return home, don't reward your dog for
excited behavior by responding to him in an excited, enthusiastic way.
Keep arrivals low key to avoid increasing his anxiety over when you will
return. Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time
when you're home so he doesn't associate crating with being left alone.
Step 4, Part B: Crating Your Dog at Night
Put your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat.
Initially, it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or
nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need
to go outside to eliminate during the night, and you'll want to be able
to hear your puppy when he whines to be let outside.
Older dogs, too, should initially be kept nearby so that they don't
associate the crate with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping
comfortably through the night with his crate near you, you can begin to
gradually move it to the location you prefer, although time spent with
your dog even sleep time is a chance to strengthen the bond between you
and your pet.
Potential Problems
Too Much Time In The Crate. A crate isn't a magical solution. If not
used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated. For example, if
your dog is crated all day while you're at work and then crated again
all night, he's spending too much time in too small a space. Other
arrangements should be made to meet his physical and emotional needs.
Also remember that puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a
crate for more than three or four hours at a time. They can't control
their bladders and bowels for longer periods.
Whining. If your dog whines or cries while in the crate at night, it may
be difficult to decide whether he's whining to be let out of the crate,
or whether he needs to be let outside to eliminate. If you've followed
the training procedures outlined above, then your dog hasn't been
rewarded for whining in the past by being released from his crate. If
that is the case, try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing
you, he'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the
crate will only make things worse.
If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes,
use the phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate. If he
responds and becomes excited, take him outside. This should be a trip
with a purpose, not play time. If you're convinced that your dog doesn't
need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore him until he stops
whining. Don't give in; if you do, you'll teach your dog to whine loud
and long to get what he wants. If you've progressed gradually through
the training steps and haven't done too much too fast, you'll be less
likely to encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable,
you may need to start the crate training process over again.
Separation Anxiety
Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety won't
solve the problem. A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive,
but he may injure himself in an attempt to escape from the crate.
Separation anxiety problems can only be resolved with
counter-conditioning and desensitization procedures. You may want to
consult a professional animal-behavior specialist for help.
Adapted from material originally developed by applied animal
behaviorists at the
Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado. All rights reserved.
If you have questions or need our services, please contact the shelter at 618.346.5213 or contact us today via e-mail
Copyrights 2009 WARREN BILLHARTZ ANIMAL SHELTER OF
COLLINSVILLE. A KTLLC Communications Solution