Crate Training Dogs

Tips for crate training your dog

Most of the dogs at Pasado’s Safe Haven have not been crate trained. Some may have been confined in small spaces for much of their lives and therefore may be stressed in a crate or will take longer to crate train. Others, however, may find a crate comforting and on occasion, we have identified a dog who would benefit from an early start and have been able to begin the process with them. 

Crate training is helpful for: 

• Dogs who are having trouble with housetraining. If you have been managing your dog carefully to prevent accidents and rewarding them EVERY time they potty outside for a couple of weeks, then you may want to start crate training. For this use, select a hard crate which has enough room for the dog to turn around, but not much more. You do not want the dog to be able to potty at one end and sleep at the other. 
• Dogs who are fearful and/or find comfort in a safe space. This can be any type of crate you and your dog prefer. Add blankets to make it cozy. You may remove the door if you like and drape a blanket or sheet over the top of the crate to make it an extra private sanctuary for your pup.
  The rule should be that the dog may retreat to this space and expect not to be disturbed. No reaching in to pet or remove your dog from their safe space. 

Do you have to crate train your dog? No. This is individual preference, both yours and the dogs. You can also use baby gates or a dog-proofed room. Or, let your dog have the run of the house once you know they are comfortable, house-trained, and able to follow house rules (won’t chew up your favorite stuff). Some dogs really do find a crate comforting and will choose to hide in it to relax. Others may panic when confined. Some can be trained to enjoy being in a crate for short periods. 

What crate training isn’t:  

• A place where you leave your dog alone for hours at a time without breaks for enrichment and walks. This is unkind. 
• Putting your dog in a crate, shutting the door, and leaving them alone without practicing and working up to this. This is unkind and a sure-fire way to teach your dog to HATE the crate. 

How to Crate Train Your Dog

Go at the dog’s pace. Follow a slow and incremental plan. Your goal is for the dog to enjoy (not just tolerate) their crate time. Keep the crate clean at each step and make it cozy. Add blankets. A favorite toy. This is a nice plan via The Academy for Dog Trainers. 

Step one: Leave the door to the crate open. When the dog isn’t paying attention, hide some tasty treats that your dog enjoys in the back of the crate. Let the dog find these treats on their own. The novelty and discovery makes a great first impression. Do this randomly throughout the day. 

Step two: Lure the dog into the crate. Toss treats at the back. Let the dog exit the crate when they choose. 

Step three: Lure the dog into the crate. Continue a flow of treats at about one second apart as long as the dog stays in the crate. Let the dog exit the crate when they choose. 

Step four: Hand-signal the dog into the crate and continue a flow of treats at about one second apart as long as the dog stays in the crate. Let the dog exit the crate when they choose. 

Step five: Hand-signal the dog into the crate and continue a flow of treats at about two seconds apart as long as the dog stays in the crate. Let the dog exit the crate when they choose. 

Step six: Hand-signal the dog into the crate, move door half closed, feed, let the dog exit. 

Step seven: Hand-signal the dog into the crate, close the door, feed, open the door, let the dog exit. 

Step 8-11: Repeat step 7 closing the door for 2, 3, 5, and then 10 seconds. Seconds! 

Step 12: Hand-signal dog into crate, give stuffed Kong or special chew, close door, then hang out next to crate reading or watching TV for 10 minutes. Drop treats in every 20-30 seconds. 

Step 13: Repeat step 12 (at another time) occasionally getting up and leaving the room, returning after a few seconds. Seconds! 

Step 14: Repeat step 13 (at another time) for 30 minutes and feeding less often (every couple of minutes)

Step 15: Repeat step 13 (at another time) for an hour and feeding less often (every few minutes) 

Step 16: Repeat step 13 (at another time) for two hours and feeding less often (every 5-10 minutes) 

Step 17: Leave dog in crate with a stuffed Kong or chew while you go about normal activities in the house for 30 minutes. 

Step 18: Leave dog in crate with a stuffed Kong or chew while you leave the house for 30 minutes. 

Step 19: Repeat step 18 for one hour. 

Step 20: Repeat step 18 for two hours.