"A Room of His Own" - Crate Training
"Why should I get a crate? I don't want to keep my dog in a cage!"
It's not a cage, it's a room of his own! Long ago, when dogs lived in the wild, they slept in dens - small holes dug into the ground. Even today dogs retain some of these instincts. They like a small, cozy, dark place of their own where they can feel safe and secure. And a crate really can keep them safe, just like a crib or a playpen keeps a young child safe.
Let's talk about the reasons and benefits of crate training.
Because the dog is instinctively reluctant to soil the place where he sleeps, a crate is an invaluable aid to house-training. (See "Seven Rules for Successful House-training") Using a crate takes advantage of this natural tendency and helps prevent accidents which can set back the progress of house-training.
When you can't be there to supervise, crating a puppy keeps them safe from ingesting inedible materials that could result in emergency surgery due to intestinal blockage, or prevent them from being zapped by chewing an electrical cord. Puppies will chew anything, especially when they are teething. Older dogs often chew to relieve anxiety and boredom when left alone. Confined to a crate, the dog can chew only the toys you give him thus learning what is appropriate to chew and saving your furniture and other possessions.
Riding in a crate is the safest way for your dog to travel in a car and the crate becomes his "home away from home" if he needs to stay with a friend or relative. If your dog is comfortable spending restful, quiet time in his crate, you can take him with you on vacation and feel secure leaving him crated in your hotel room while you go out to dinner. Many hotels / motels will only accept pets that are crated.
Crating is often the only way for a sick or injured dog to get the rest and immobility needed to recover from surgery or an injury.
Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety are often comforted being in a crate. Left with the run of the house, they may feel overwhelmed by the amount of space they need to defend in the absence of the pack. Being in their "den" they feel secure.
Finally, the crate becomes the dog's refuge... his own room to retreat to for rest or escape from rambunctious toddlers. Children should be taught to respect the crate as the dog's space where he must be left alone.
Crates can be purchased in pet stores, from wholesale suppliers through catalogs or online. There are different types of crates. The two most common types are the plastic "airline style" and the wire crate. There are pros and cons to each type and one may be more suited to a specific purpose than the other. If purchasing a plastic crate, I prefer the ones that have dial-type latches that hold top and bottom together. If you like the wire crate, be sure to purchase one that is well made with heavy gage wire. The ones that fold down to a "suitcase" are convenient. There is also something called a "soft crate". This type of crate is great in hot weather and is also extremely portable, ideal for a dog shows. However, this type of crate is only for the dog that is already accustomed to and happy in his crate. Expect to pay $50 - $125, depending on the size, for a well made crate. They last for many years and where else could you add another room to your house for so little money!
The crate should only be large enough for the adult dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. If a puppy has enough room to eliminate in a corner of a crate and avoid contact with his waste, house-training will be delayed. You can put a box in a too large crate to take up space or you can purchase a crate divider.
Now a bit about getting your puppy accustomed to his "room". If you have an older dog, don't worry, they can sometimes be crate trained even easier than a puppy.
Getting used to the crate should be a POSITIVE experience for your dog or puppy. Place the crate in a room where people will be, in the kitchen or family room. At night move it to your bedroom. Use an old towel or blanket for bedding. Put some toys and a few treats in the crate and allow the dog to come and go as he wishes. At meal time, feed your dog in the crate with the door closed. Let him out when he finishes his meal but not when he is barking or whining.
If your puppy falls asleep or he is tired and ready for a nap, put him in the crate. When you hear him start to wake up, go to him and immediately take him outside. Have him sleep in the crate at night in your bedroom. He will be comforted by your presence and you will be aware if he needs to go out during the night.
Don't crate the dog only when you are leaving the house. Place the puppy in the crate while you are home as well. By crating when you are home and while you are gone the dog becomes comfortable in the crate and not worried that you will not return or that you are leaving him alone. This may help prevent separation anxiety in the older dog.
Associate a special treat with going in the crate. Also, give going into the crate a cue, saying "Crate" or "Kennel" every time the dog enters the crate and reward with a special treat.
Never let the dog or puppy out of the crate when he is barking or whining. It is normal for many puppies to bark, whine, or howl when first being crate trained. If this behavior is never rewarded it will tend to extinguish on its' own. If it is ever rewarded, it is likely to be repeated.
Only leave your dog with "safe" toys in his crate. Always remove collars and leashes when crating your dog.
An adult dog can tolerate eight hours in a crate but needs plenty of exercise and social interaction before and after this period of time.
As your dog matures, you may want to wean him from staying in the crate while you are gone. Don't be in too much of a rush to allow your dog freedom from the crate and begin with very brief periods of time. Even after reaching the point where he can be trusted being left uncrated, you should still use the crate occasionally so that the dog stays accustomed to it. That will make it easier if you take the dog on vacation or need to keep him crated due to illness or injury.
Remember, your dog will appreciate having "a room of his own".
© Kelly Randall, 2000