Crate Training
Dogs, like their wolf ancestors, are pack animals and the den is an integral part of their lives. When you domesticate a dog, she too requires a den in the form of a private space of her own that provides her safety and privacy. Moreover, if she roams around the house unsupervised, she becomes prone to injuries due to accidents, like getting a shock by chewing electrical wires or getting ill by eating undesirable things, like littered objects.
A crate can ensure her safety, in the absence of your personal supervision. The crate is an effective way to provide a safe and cozy place of her own where she can relax and be comfortable. However, the crate is not a place to lock her up and forget about her for extended periods. You should confine your puppy to the crate only when you are at home or away for a short duration.
The Crate
The size of the crate is an important factor that can determine the outcome of crate training. Select a crate of an appropriate size in accordance with the age and size of your puppy. It should be neither too large, nor too small. The crate that you select for the puppy should allow free movements for the puppy and yet give her a cozy feeling.
If you select too large a crate, she will use one end of it for bathroom and the other for sleeping! On the other hand, if the crate is too small, she may feel claustrophobic. The material for the crate is also important. It can be a wire or fiberglass crate or a soft crate made of wood and fabrics. However, the soft crate is prone to chewing and pawing. A wire crate is dangerous, as its mesh may damage your puppy’s toes or its broken wires may cause injury. A fiberglass crate is safe, but should not have sharp edges.
The crate also helps in shaping the puppy’s housebreaking norms because dogs and puppies like humans do not want to sleep where they relieve themselves. Therefore, the crate is an invaluable tool that will help her in controlling the calls of nature.
Locating the crate
A crate is your dog’s personal space. You should locate it in a quiet corner of the house. However, the location of the crate should not be so secluded as to isolate her completely. Even a puppy needs the warmth and togetherness of a family! Therefore, place the crate in a place where she can see what you and your family are doing.
Introducing the crate
Your puppy will not start using the crate the moment you bring her home. You will have to introduce her to the crate in a systematic manner. However, once introduced properly, she will gladly run into the crate on your command. This can only happen if your puppy feels happy and comfortable in it. To achieve this, it is important to make her understand from the very beginning that the crate is not a punishment or a confinement, but a safe haven.
You can achieve this only by associating the crate with good and welcome experiences for your puppy. Try to take your puppy to the crate for play, rewards and other fun experiences. Generally, most of the puppy owners make the mistake of using the crate only when they have to go out or confine the puppy for punishment or other purposes. However, such erratic and exploitative use of a crate will make the puppy believe that the crate is punishment and she will avoid using the crate. With proper training and intelligent use of the crate, you will not only make it puppy-friendly, but will gift her a ‘home’ within your home.
The first step in introducing the crate is to place it conveniently, so that you can start crate training. The living room or any frequently used room, which is occupied most of the time, is perfect. Next, make your puppy recognize the crate by placing her in it. Nevertheless, do not walk away! Make her feel that you are around and keep interacting with her. You also need to prevent her from chewing, pawing or frantically digging up the crate.
Training to use the crate
Remember, confinement is not the actual use of crate training. You need to lure your puppy and not force her into the crate. Therefore, the best way is to place your puppy’s favorite treat, toy or blanket halfway inside the crate and entice her to climb inside to retrieve it. Once she enters, praise her, pat her, play with her and give her a treat. Then let her come out of the crate. Repeat this procedure two or three times, several times a day.
Each time move her favorite things further back, until they are at the other end of the crate. Once she associates the crate with rewards and treats, she will willingly enter, lie down and even doze off in it! This is the time to add the word ‘crate’, ‘den’ or ‘bed’ to her vocabulary for your future use.
Once your puppy starts feeling comfortable enough to take a regular nap in the crate, close the door and leave her in it for a couple of minutes. Extend the time and let the door remain closed for longer durations before releasing. It is important to ignore the puppy if she cries in the crate.
Because by responding to her crying you are indirectly rewarding undesired behavior by providing her attention. Attention is what she was seeking and by responding, you have acceded to her demand. This will make her comprehend that by crying she can seek your attention almost immediately. If your puppy cries, ignore her. Open the door only when she has calmed down. Eventually, your puppy will learn to remain quiet in the crate.
The next stage is to train your puppy to remain in her crate, while you go away for short periods. Begin by leaving the room while she is taking a nap in the crate and awaken her by calling from outside. Re-enter the room and release her. Next, leave the room while she is wide-awake in her crate and extend the duration of your absence. Once she becomes comfortable with your absence from the room, leave the house in the normal way for very short durations, but return immediately.
As your puppy starts getting used to this routine, extend your period of absence, until she ceases to bark or cry. Now, move out of the house in your car, drive around the block and come back to check on her. Surprise her by your sudden re-appearances and make her believe that your going away is for coming back and you have not deserted her. If on coming back you find that your puppy is stressed, repeat the training until she accepts the crate as a normal part of her life. However make sure that the crate never becomes an indication that you are leaving her alone.
Consider the crate a safe house for your puppy and not a way of life. So, never leave her in the crate for extended durations, unless necessary. However, for the first four to five months, your puppy should be crate-bound on a reasonable schedule. This is necessary to ensure that she does not develop a crate soiling habit. Remember that a puppy can control her bladder and motion for the number of hours equal to its age in months plus two. Therefore, if she is two months old, she needs to relieve every four hours.
As your puppy gets older and more sensible, she will start using the crate sparingly. However, do not let her lose touch with the crate. Keep it available and let her use it as and when she pleases. By following these simple steps of crate training, your puppy will become crate trained in no time!