7 Tips For Crate Training Your Dog

Crate training is often looked down upon, when in reality, it gives dogs a safe place to reside to when the environment around them is overwhelming. Some examples of when crate training is beneficial include, but aren't limited to, prevention of nighttime wandering, when you guests at home, when your dog wants to relax away from all the external stimulation, when you are toilet training your puppy, when you need to travel long distances with your dog, or when you want to keep your puppy safely sequestered whilst you go about your daily chores. 

However, the primary reason for crate training to not work in many households is primarily a negative association that the dog forms with the crate, i.e. when he/she is sent to the crate as a form of punishment. Along with this, lack of consistency, placement of the crate, age at which crate training began, incorrect crate size, long periods of crate-time are factors that prove crate training to do more harm than good to both dog and parent.

Read along to know more about the top 7 tips you need to make crate training an absolute success!

1. Start Young
Whilst this might seem as a surprise, it is in fact true - the earlier you crate train your dog, the easier it is for him/her to adapt to time in the crate. Puppies take well to crate training over adult dogs simply because they're always looking for cozy and secure places to take long naps. Once crate-time becomes a part of their daily routine (just like meal and potty times), you wouldn't have to beg them to go to the crate.

2. Never use crates as a punishment

Crate-time used as a form of punishment for when your dog behaves poorly forms a negative association in his/her brain. In other words, every time you ask your dog to go to the crate, they will refuse to do so because their brain only remembers the crate as a place where they were sent to for behaving in a certain way. Crate-time must never be used as a form of punishment and must only be used as a positive place, i.e. one your dog looks forward to going into. You can choose to keep their favourite toys, chew bars, blankets, beds etc to make the place feel super comfy!

3. Always ensure essentials are taken care of
Before practicing crate-time or asking your dog to go to the crate, it is imperative that their essential needs are taken care of prior to this. Before crate-time dogs must be well-fed, physically and mentally exercised adequately, and allowed to pee and poop. This ensures minimal discomfort in the crate and allows for your dog to settle down calmly. It is also helpful to keep a water bowl inside the crate, especially on hot days. Most dog parents also turn on the fan/air-conditioner and to ensure maximum comfort for their dog inside the crate. Ensure your dog's crate is not in a high-traffic ares, i.e. kitchen, living room, balcony etc, but is placed in a quiet, well-ventilated area such as the bedroom. 

4. Make the crate comfy 
The comfier the crate, the more inviting it is for your dog to go into. To make the crate comfy, keep their favourite toys, chew bars, blankets, beds inside the crate regardless of the time of the day. It is also beneficial to ensure the crate is placed in a well-ventilated area, i.e. one with the fan/air-conditioner on and is far away from visual and auditory distractions. 

5. Leave the door open
Leaving the crate door open, especially during training ensures that your puppy always has access to it and doesn't have to depend on you to get in. It establishes the crate as a 'den' - one similar to how dogs in the wild would retreat to when in need of rest. Once your dog is comfortable with going in and out as he/she pleases, you can introduce the door for short sessions.

6. Keep sessions short
Let's face it - long sessions are boring, even if it is sitting in the best place. Crate training sessions should be short without causing discomfort to the dog. Long sessions lead to boredom-based behaviour like howling, chewing, pacing, whining etc and it can also cause the dog to soil the crate, especially if they're puppies or older dogs. Crate-training sessions should be based on the dog's age - puppies can handle no more than 30 minutes, whilst adult dogs best benefit from 1-2 hours. 

The bigger the crate, the better. For home crates, your dog should have sufficient space to walk about the crate comfortably without having to arch their backs. For travel crates, it is best to ensure your dog has ample space to stand, turn around, and sit with minimal discomfort. 

Now that you are aware of the top 7 tips for crate training your dog, you can ensure that your pupper has a wonderful place to retreat to for long afternoon naps or for when you're out running errands!