Crate Training

A dog crate can be very useful to you and your dog. When used properly you know that your dog will be safe, comfortable, and protected in your absence. The dog will not develop any bad habits like chewing on home items out of boredom in your absence. He will be less likely to soil or destroy your items.

House breaking can be accomplished more quickly with a crate. When the dog is confined he is less likely to eliminate or have accidents at night or when left unsupervised. He more easily learns to control his bowels and to associate elimination only with the outdoors. When closely confined it encourages bladder control. When taken immediately outside he will usually potty.

His crate becomes his safe place or his den. It provides a safe place to go when the house becomes too busy, you have workmen or guests and have too much confusion going on in the home to worry about the dog. The dog will learn to love his special place.

A crate becomes a safe traveling place without risk of the driver being dangerously distracted by the dog, or getting loose or lost. He will quickly adapt to any strange place as long as he has his special place along.

You will avoid fear and confusion and punishment caused by bad reactions to behavior problems. The crate should be placed in a busy part of the home such as the kitchen, family room a people area so he is not lonely or frustrated by being isolated in a basement or garage. Placing it in a corner o having the sides or back loosely draped with a sheet or light blanket provides privacy and security. Avoid drafts and not near a direct heat source. Place a washable blanket in the bottom for comfort. He can be left indoors in his comfortable surroundings.

Use the crate with respect to the dog’s age. A young puppy can not be left in a crate too long. The common rule is for each month of age he can stay no longer than one hour at a given time. He should not be left unattended for extended periods of time. The crate should be humanely used but not abused.

Make sure children know that his crate is not a playpen for them, but a special room for the puppy. Give him a chew toy and make sure to remove his collar and tags which could become caught.

If a puppy must be crated for longer time periods, use it as a playpen for general confinement. It should have plenty of space for a cozy area for sleeping at one end and papers for elimination at the other. Clip on dishes for food and water are a must. Your puppy needs human companionship and craves your attention. If you must work and leave your dog for long periods of time, it is recommended that you exercise him before and after crating, giving him personal positive attention. He should be allowed complete freedom at night which may include sleeping near you at night.

There are three types of crates. One is a collapsible wire mesh type. It is lightweight and allows total ventilation. It allows the dog to see everything going on around him. The second type is a plastic airline crate, but it restricts air and vision. The crate should be large enough for the adult dog to stretch out when on its side without being cramped and should be able to sit up without hitting its head on the top of the crate. Bigger is always better than too small.

Occasionally there is that dog that which simply can not or will not tolerate this form of confinement. Older dogs may be uncomfortable in confined spaces. They may use a crate if the door remains open. It should be stressed these reactions are exceptions rather than the rule and most pets can successfully trained to use a crate.