Crate training is pretty easy because your puppy has natural instincts towards a den animal. In the wild a dog’s den is it’s home. It’s a place to sleep, hide from danger, and raise their young. The crate becomes your dog's den, where they can find comfort, knowing they’re safe and secure (and not destroying your house while your are sleeping or at work).
1. Crate Problems
A crate is not a end all solution to combat bad canine behavior. If not used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated. Never use the crate as a punishment. Your dog will come to fear it and refuse to enter it. It will be hard for them to see the crate as positive, which will lead towards breaking out of crate and separation anxiety. Don't leave your dog in the crate too long. A dog that’s crated all day and night doesn't get enough exercise or human interaction and can become depressed or anxious. You may have to change your schedule, hire a pet sitter or stop at home on your lunch break to let the puppy or dog outside. 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 that long. Crate your dog only until you can trust them not to destroy the house. After that, it should be a place they go voluntarily.
2. Buying A Crate
There are several types of crates that are available, Metal, Plastic, Fabric, or Fashion. Crates come in different sizes and shapes, and can be purchased at most pet stores or online.
Wire crates are well-ventilated, and pretty strong. They are probably the strongest on the market. While they aren’t the most attractive options, and can be noisier than other types of crates, wire crates are easy to clean, and offer removable panels so your puppy can grow into the space. They are also collapsable for easy transport.
Plastic crates are great for dogs that like a little more privacy and seclusion while in the den. They’re not as well-ventilated or as easy to clean as the wire crate. Plastic crates are also great for air travel and are easy to store when they’re not in use.
Soft crates are lightweight, great for travel, and store easily. However they’re really only an option for smaller dogs. They’re also more difficult to clean. Puppies can easily chew threw them and escape.
Fashion crates are exactly like they sound. Fashion crates help to blend your dog crate into your house fashion. They are a wood finish and they are the most attractive dog crates for your home, and some can even double as a side table, so they’re functional too! The downside to these crates is that they’re not an option for destructive dogs due to their wood-based construction. The crates floor bottom can also be easily damaged if the puppy has accidents in the crate.
3. The Training Process
This process could take days or weeks, depending on the dog or puppy. Go slow with it and take your time, always associate the crate with a positive experience.
-Introduce your dog to the crate.
Put the crate in the main living area of you house so the puppy doesn't feel secluded. Keep the crate door open so they can explore the crate. Take them over to the crate and show them the crate with a happy voice. Put treats near the crate on the floor and then in the crate so the puppy goes in the crate by himself to get the treat. Praise them when the go in the crate! When they are in the crate say “crate up” so they know “crate up” means go into the crate.
-Feed them in the crate.
After introducing your dog or puppy to the crate, begin feeding them their regular meals in the crate. Constantly praising them as they eat. Start by feeding outside the crate and slowly move the food into the crate and then to the back of the crate. Shut the door while they eat in the back of the crate constantly praising them while they eat. The first time you do this, open the door as soon as they finish their meal. With each successive feeding, leave the door closed a few minutes longer, until they’re staying in the crate for 10 minutes or so after eating. Then slowly add more time being in the crate If they do whine or cry in the crate, don’t let them out until they stop. Otherwise, they'll learn that the way to get out of the crate is to whine, and they'll keep doing it.
-Longer crating periods.
After your dog or puppy is eating their regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, you can confine them there for short time periods while you're home. Tell them to “crate up” with a treat giving in the crate. Give the treat once the puppy or dog enters the crate with the “crate up” command. Then shut the door and walk away. Once your puppy or dog will stay quietly in the crate for about 30 minutes with you mostly out of sight, you can begin leaving them crated when you're gone for short time periods and letting them sleep in the crate at night. This may take several days or weeks. Don't make your departures emotional and prolonged, they should be firm and short. Praise your dog briefly, give them a treat for entering the crate, and then leave quietly. When you return home, don't reward your dog and praise them, Keep arrivals calm to avoid increasing their anxiety with you coming home. Continue to crate your dog for short periods of time when you're home so they doesn't associate crating with being left alone. As this process goes on, they will spend more time in the crate, eventually going in the crate on their own, and sleeping in the crate threw the night. It just takes patience and time.
