When you are obedience training your dog, it should be a positive and enjoyable experience for both of you. The same must apply to crate training.
There are some basic guidelines that apply to crate training your dog.
1. Never get cross at your dog, or yell at him when you are teaching him to go into his crate. While you may get frustrated at times, getting angry will just make him fearful of you, and fearful of the crate.
2. Make the crate as appealing as possible, with a soft bed and some safe chew toys. If your dog likes to chew, then you may need to remove the bed for his own safety. Don’t forget to always have a bowl of fresh water in the crate; the easiest way to do this is to attach a metal bowl to the side of the crate. The crate should be large enough to let your dog lie stretched out as well as stand up and turn around.
3. Encourage your dog into the crate with a treat, and reward him when he goes inside. Repeat this several times until he is happily trotting into the crate for his treat. You can then start to shut the door for a second or two, open it and reward your dog. Over time, increase the time you close the door, but always open the door before your dog becomes distressed.
4. When you first start to leave your dog locked in his crate, give him a toy to keep him occupied. A stuffed Kong is ideal; he will spend an hour or two trying to get to the treats inside, and won’t be too upset by being confined.
5. Don’t leave your dog in his crate for too long, particularly if you are toilet training him. The maximum recommended time in hours is their age in months, plus one. So, if your dog is 4 months old, you should let them out after a maximum of 5 hours. Even if your dog is an adult, he shouldn’t be confined for more than about 5 hours. This may mean you need to enlist the help of friends and family to tend to your dog if you are at work during the day.
6. Choose your crate’s location carefully. The ideal spot is where your family usually gather, either the lounge room or family room is ideal. This will allow your dog to still feel like a part of the family while he is confined in his crate. If you are concerned about the space the crate will take up, consider dog crate furniture, as this provides a stylish alternative to the wire and plastic crates typically used.
7. Keep the crate clean. Spilled food can spoil, and smell bad. If your dog has a toileting accident in his crate, it needs to be cleaned up with a non-ammonia based cleaner to prevent him repeating that behavior. Wash his bedding regularly to prevent fleas breeding in it.
8. If your dog has any problem with his crate training at any time, take a break. Then go back to the beginning and repeat the basic steps. He will re-learn quickly and if you stay positive, he will be back on track again very quickly. Never force the issue if he is anxious, it will only make things worse.
Life with your dog will be easier when he is crate trained, so add a crate to your shopping list next time you are going to the pet store.
