Crate Training
Crate training is becoming more and more of a necessity in the modern world. There may be places that you absolutely have to bring your dog or cat that they are not allowed unless in a crate and car transport is safer in a crate too. Sometimes it is necessary to crate a sick animal at home or at the vet. A dog or cat may need to be crated at events such as breed shows or agility trials during thee time they are not competing. There are also a lot times when it is just so much more convenient for the owner that you will choose to do it. Housebreaking is easier using a crate, and sometimes, especially with a new puppy, you just need a brake and the crate is the only thing that will serve.
The right crate
You can choose use a metal wire crate or a plastic “flight kennel” type crate. The cloth, collapsible crates are intended to be used only for short durations under supervision of the owner. The crate should be just large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but no larger. If you have a puppy and want to only buy one crate for permanent use, you will need to guess at what size it will eventually grow to and buy a crate for that size dog. You can then block off the rear portion of the crate to make it the right size for the pup as it is now. A divider can be bought for some crates that is specifically made for this, or you can use a large cooler or other box that the dog can not easily destroy.
The Training
Crate training means making an animal comfortable with being in a crate by itself. It also includes having the animal go into the crate of its own accord as well as on command. It can take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks to crate train a pet.
The easiest way to start is to first block off an area of you house where the pet is allowed to roam free. Generally this means a room with an easy to clean floor and no accessible hazards. It should also be someplace that you yourself frequent so that it is easy to socialize with your pet. For puppies this is usually the kitchen.
Place the crate in that room and put a towel or pad in bottom to make it comfortable. Secure the door open so that it does not swing. Do not try to get your pet to go inside. Just ignore the crate but give the pup (or kitten, etc.) occasion to go near it. Play near it sometimes, put the food and water bowl somewhat near the crate, etc.
Once the puppy is comfortable being near the crate feed and water her right next to it. This could take a couple off days or it could be almost immediate. Don’t rush.
Put some of your pet’s toys in the crate, if she goes in to get them, great. After a while toss some treats in the crate. Once she is willing to go in and get them, start feeding her in the crate. Put the bowls near the entrance at first so she only has to put her head in the crate to eat. Keep the door securely open.
Start moving the food and water bowls further and further back in crate whenever he is comfortable with the previous position. The goal is to put thee food all the way in the back so that he has to be fully inside in order to eat.
When your pet is comfortable eating inside the crate you can close the door while he is eating. At first just hold the door closed without latching it. This way you will be able to open it again should your pet become uncomfortable. You may have to open it up before you even get it fully closed the first few times.
Open the door again immediately after your pet has finished eating. Keep the door secured open whenever you are paying close attention. The swinging door itself can scare your pet.
Do not make a fuss over your pet when you let him out of the crate. Don’t get him excited in any way. Just let him out in a matter-of-fact way.
When your pet is comfortable with all of the above, you can begin to lengthen the time he is left in the closed crate. Start with ten seconds after he is finished eating and gradually lengthen the time. If he shows signs of discomfort shorten the amount of time he is left in on the next session.
If this is a puppy, discomfort usually means whining or barking. Completely ignore him while he is whining. Wait at least ten seconds after your pup stops whining before letting him out. You don’t want to teach him to whine for attention or to be let out. If you let him out after he whines for a long time, that is the worst situation. You will be teaching him to persist in whining and you will regret it later.
A good way to avoid this problem is to give him a sit or lie down command and hold it for ten seconds before letting him out. You can give him a lie down command every time before letting him out. This will teach him that the way to get out is to lie down – much less annoying that whining.
Leave some toys in the crate with your pet. Chew toys are probably the best choice for a dog.
When your pet can stay in the crate for 10 or 15 minutes, it is time to start conditioning her to stay in the crate while you are not available.
Start by putting her in the crate for short periods and not paying any attention to her at all. Once that is going well, do the same thing but leave the room for 30 seconds or so before coming back. Gradually extend the time to 30 minutes. If at any point your pet shows signs of discomfort, reduce the amount of time to what is comfortable or even go back to the previous step.
Continue by leaving not just the room, but the house. Put him in the crate 5 to 15 minutes before leaving the house. Again start at only 30 seconds or so and gradually extend the time you are away.
Do not make a fuss over your pet when you come back into the room or when you let him out of the crate.
If this is a dog, you can now crate her at night. Puppies can usually hold their bladder longer when they are asleep than when they are active. A pup that has to go outside every two hours during the day can often go 4 to 7 hours at night. You may be able to get some sleep! Pay attention though. If you leave her in the crate too long, she will have to go to the bathroom in it. This will make it much more difficult to housetrain her. If you keep aware and take her out when she needs it, she will be housetrained in no time.
Don’t try to train a cat to stay in a crate for long. They are generally not suited for it.
No pet should be kept in a crate for too long unless there is a medical necessity for it. If you leave your dog crated all day while you are at work, then have him sleep in the crate all night, that’s going to be one unhappy dog. Short periods during the day are the rule.
Dogs can be taught to sleep in their crate. Don’t place the crate in your bedroom for this. That is a recipe for developing separation anxiety. Getting them used to sleeping alone is getting them used to sleeping when they are alone. Sleeping is usually the best thing for them to do while you are away at work.
However, if your dog already has separation anxiety don’t try to use the crate as a remedy. There are other steps you have to take; otherwise matters will only get worse.
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