If you bring home a puppy, crate training can be relatively easy. Puppies are very impressionable, and by setting them up in the crate at night from the beginning, he won’t have any reason to dislike it. However, what happens if your puppy is a little stubborn, or if you adopt an older dog that’s never been seen a crate? We’ve heard stories of dogs breaking apart crates, scratching open the doors, or making such an incredible racket that the owner couldn’t stand it and let them out.
So what can you do? I first talked about desensitization a few months ago, a technique that can be perfect for acclimating dogs to the crate. While this technique can take some time, it will result in a dog who actually looks forward to his crate time.
Here's Sterling, hanging out at Pet U during a brief break!
Ready, set, train!
Desensitization works in steps. You start off slowly and with no pressure, so that there is only room for improvement and no way for the dog to fail.
1. The first step is to set the crate out in the middle of the room while you and your dog hang out together. Have a blanket and a toy inside, leave the door open, and let him sniff around. If he ignores it, fine. If he sniffs it, walks around it, or enters it, give him lots of praise! After only a few minutes, the session can be over. The idea is to do this a couple times over the first day or two just for a few minutes each time.
2. Measure your dog’s progress; after he has grown comfortable with the idea of the crate, turn it up a notch. Put his food in the crate for each meal, and allow him to go in at his own pace. Remember, during these first few days everything is at the dog’s own speed; we are not pushing or forcing anything, just giving lots of praise when he responds correctly.
3. After a day or two of feeding him in his crate, move on to shutting him in the crate, just for a few minutes. Keep a blanket and a toy inside, and lure him in with treats. Close the door and walk out of the room. As this will most likely be completely new for him, let him settle in on his own.
If he barks, whines or rattles the door, just ignore him. Many owners don't realize that even by reprimanding bad behavior with “No!”, you are still essentially rewarding him. Dogs hate being ignored, and so not giving a reaction is the ultimate correction to them.
After he settles down, go back over with treats and plenty of praise! Let him out of the crate - training time is over for the moment. Do this a few times a day over the next few days, gradually increasing the time he is left in the crate. When he is in the crate for longer intervals, always go in with treats as soon as he calms down, and then back away again. Remember, always end the session on a positive note, when he is quiet and calm in his crate.
4. Finally it's time for the big test - having him sleep in the crate for the first time. The key to this going well is having a very TIRED dog by bedtime. Give him extra playtime and exercise during the day, and plan on feeding him 4 hours before you want him in the crate. Give him plenty of bathroom breaks so you are confident he won’t need to be let out until morning.
Wait to put your dog in the crate until all of the family members are going to bed as well. This way, he won’t feel jealous watching all of you from behind locked bars. Encourage him into the crate with treats, and praise him when you lock the door.
The key to making progress the first night is not to let him out until the morning, even (especially) if he whines or barks. You can praise him or give him a treat if he’s quiet, but make sure you completely ignore him if he’s whining.
5. It may take your dog a few nights to adjust to his new sleeping pattern. Just remember to always make sure that the crate is a positive experience - never use it as punishment, or you will undermine all of your hard training.
TIP - What if you've already attempted to crate train your dog, and the result is one who can scratch and claw his way out of their with the best of them? You're best bet is to go back and focus on step 3. Start with just minutes at a time, letting him out as soon as she settles down. Praise him, pet him, play with him, and show that training time is over.
After you can confidently leave him in for a few minutes quietly, try leaving him in for 10 minutes. Again, don't just lock him in the crate and walk away. Go just outside the room where he can't see you - let him whine, bark, and scratch at the door. The second he is quiet, give him a treat, then leave the room again. Keep stretching the time until he is comfortable quiet for an hour or so, and then move on to step 4.
Good luck, and ask us at Pet U if you have any questions!
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