How do I crate train my puppy/dog?

Depending what dog trainer you ask, crate training can be accomplished in most situations in 24 to 72 hours. It’s all in the approach, repetition and consistency. First of all size is the single most important things when it comes to crate training. Depending on the size of your dog will determine the size of the crate. Remember, the puppy/dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lay back down comfortably. Whether you are trying to potty train your dog or address behavior issues, the crate is you’re most important tool in dog training. Once you have purchased the correct size crate now it’s time to introduce it to you puppy/dog.

Now, at first the puppy/dog will struggle not to go in the crate, so practice telling the puppy/dog to go to their house. Then put the puppy/dog in as nicely as possible and close the crate door and say good boy/girl, good house. Then open the door and say all done and let them rum out and pet them up real good, then repeat this process several times. Takes a few breaks and engage in some play time if necessary. Remember the crate is a positive place not a negative or punishment place. Try even using a yummy treat sometime to lure them into their crate, if that helps. Also, the puppy/dog can have the proper bone or chew toys in their crate to help boredom. I think it also helps to feed a puppy/dog in their crate to teach them to respect the crate as their space. As for blankets or towels in the crate I advise against it if your puppy/dog is having accidents in their crate. Here’s a little dog mythology for you. Most puppies/dogs don’t like to soil where they lie, the only exception is a puppy mill dog or maybe a puppy/dog that stayed at a pet shop or breeder too long and didn’t have a choice where they lie. In those cases they were taught to lie in their fecies and will be much harder to fix. For puppies/dogs working on housebreaking if a towel or blanket is in the crate and they have an accident the towel or blanket will absorb the mess and there is know discomfort to the puppy/dog. But if the towel or blanket is removed and they use the bathroom they will be exposed to touching it or if they choose to lay down, they will have to lay down in the mess. Which they really don’t like doing, it’s their instinct to avoid it at all cost.

Another issue you will have to deal with is teaching to puppy/dog not to bark, whine, scratch, or howl while in the crate. There is a few different way to fix those issues. First of all, find a metal lid or bowl and place it on top of their crate and each time they do anything in the crate that is unacceptable to you, then pick up the metal lid or bowl and rake it across the front of their crate saying the word NO at the same time. Why? Puppies/Dogs hate the sound metal on metal, just like us humans hate fingernails on a chalkboard. After you have done this put the lid or bowl back down on the crate and go back to what you where doing before the noise began. Repeat this step over and over until the puppy/dog is being quite and at that time praise the dog by saying good doggie, good house. Try not to let the doggie out when it is being load and bad, try to stop the behavior first then when it stops or lessons then let them out and praise them. If this is done consistently over one to three days, in most cases the noise will stop. Another great pointer for dog owners is don’t just put the puppy/dog in the crate when you leave, do it several times while you are home too. Remember just because you are home doesn’t mean the puppy/dog has to be out of their crate. As long as you know the puppy/dog isn’t hungry or needs to use the bathroom, and you can’t 100% supervise them, then they need to be in their crate. A lot of dog owners tell me, I hate putting them in the crate. This is one statement I hear more than all the rest. Why? Because most humans are looking at a crate as a negative place but when a puppy/dog is taught the crate properly, it is the one place the puppy/dog will feel the safest. One last rule when it comes to crate training your puppy/dog try not to raise your voice or show any negative body language. If you’re screaming and flapping your arms all around then this is going to confuse the puppy/dog. Stay calm and follow through consistently.

Tammy Molnar

Certified Dog Trainer