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Crate Training

Updated: Apr 1, 2023


One of the best tools when training your dog is a crate. Especially when you have a puppy or a rescue dog of any age, the crate is as an essential tool.

Buy a crate that is large enough for your dog to stand, turn around and lay down comfortably. For puppies, I suggest a crate that will fit the dog when he/she grows to be an adult.

This is a photograph of Gabby’s crate. It is in my bedroom.



I rescued Gabby when she was under two years old. The crate helped calm her fears, housebreak her and kept her from chewing everything in the house.

A crate should be a safe haven for your dog. It is their own private cave. I leave the door open when the dog is out of the crate and many times he/she

will go in their crate on their own to sleep.


Never ever scold your dog while they are in their crate. Never forcefully put your dog in their crate. Never crate your dog because of bad behavior.


Using the crate for time-out or isolation is different. There are times, you may need time away from an obnoxious puppy so a time-out is necessary.


For puppies: a puppy cannot hold their bladder for long periods at a time. The crate should be large enough to put puppy pads on one end and a nice washable bed or blanket on the other side. You can add a small dog bowl for water. Do not leave food in the crate. For very young puppies, I add a dog-safe stuffed animal for them to cuddle. The crate allows the young dog to relieve itself on the puppy pad and sleep on the other. When you come home, let the puppy out to relieve itself, then clean up the soiled puppy pads, throw them away and wash the blanket or bed if it too has been soiled. A dog will naturally keep their bed (cave) clean, but a puppy cannot hold its bladder.

Do not leave puppy pads around the house, it simply teaches the dog it is OK to pee in the house. The crate is different.


As the puppy grows two miracles occur. One is that the dog grows too big to pee on one end and sleep on the other. The second miracle is as the puppy grows; he/she is able to hold their bladder longer. More on housebreaking in another post. For now, please do not leave your puppy in a crate for long periods at a time. You may be getting up one time during the night to let them out, but this time will pass and your pup will be old before you realize.


Another reason the crate is a wonderful tool is because it helps when teaching a dog not to chew up everything in the house. First, puppy/dog proof your house. If you don’t want something chewed up then pick it up and out of reach for your puppy or young dog. My children learned early to put their toys away when they were done playing or the toy would be destroyed. Everything is a chew toy for a dog. I do the same with my things. Recently I learned that my current young dog loves to chew wooden coasters. They are no longer left on the coffee table. More on chewing in another post. If you can’t keep an eye on your dog, then the crate is a great safe place for them.


To get your dog to love going in the create, I suggest using a dog treat. Say an informal command like "crate". At the same time, throw in a few small delicious treats in the crate. This will lure the dog in and you can close and latch the door.


Do not leave your dog in a crate for long periods of time. That is cruel.

Do not punish your dog while in the crate. Remember it is a safe place.

Use the crate as a training tool. You will learn many ways the crate helps you teach social behaviors. In this case, learning to live inside your home.




 
 
 

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