Crate Training
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What is a crate
A crate is not a cage or a place to lock your dog in when they are bad. It is their home, their sanctuary, a place that they can go to when they need to rest, want to be left alone, and where they always feel safe.
Types of Crates
There are various types of crates; the right one will depend on your dog and how you want to use the crate.
Travel Crates
Most commonly used when transporting your pet as they offer added security, and usually have a tough outer shell to protect the pets inside in the case of a colision. Most airline require an IATA approved crate
Wire crates
Most commonly used in residential settings. These are lightweight easy to clean, and often can be folded for storage or when being moved. You can also get covers for extra comfort and protection.
Canvas Crate
Great option if you would like to move the crate easily or to use when outdoors. Not as sturdy or secure as the other options, is only recomended for dogs who wont try to escape from their crates.
Custom Crates
Great option for homes where there is a lack of space or where regular crates may ruin the asthetics. Unique Pet Furniture custom build these to suit your space and design.
Why crate train
Crate training has multiple benifits for the humans and the dogs.
- It's great for nervous dogs as it gives them a place to feel safe
- It is a mandatory requirement for some modes of travel, at specific accommodations, at groomers and in Vet clinics
- it makes toilet training and house training much easier
- It is the safest way to travel with your pets.
- It is a fantastic tool when house training your new puppy.
- It helps teach puppies independence and can help overcome separation anxiety in some dogs
How:
Conditioning a crate is all about building trust. Take it slow and dont rush the process since trust is hard to build but quick and easy to break.
Step 1. Introduce the crate in the environment.
Start by putting the crate in one of your dog's favourite spots. Then, put some comfy bedding material that your dog has been using in there so that it smells like them. Zip-tie or wedge the doors open so they never accidentally close.
Step 2. Add value to the crate.
Randomly during the day, put high-value treats, enrichment toys, and your dog's favourite objects inside the crate. When your dog stumbles across this, it will know the Den Wizard has been there, creating a sense of excitement, wonder, and a positive association with going into its crate.
Step 3. Add duration in the crate
Once the dog is comfortable going in and out of the crate, reward it for spending more time inside. Start giving them long-lasting chews or a kong in their crate. You can also add duration by using your calm marker and reward your dog in the back of the crate, Starting at short intervals and slowly increasing the time between the marker and the reward.
Step 4. Conditioning the Action
Once your dog is comfortable entering their crate, ask for the behaviour using verbal and visual commands. Mark and reward the dog inside the crate.
Step 5. Conditioning the door closing
Ask your dog to enter its crate. Give it a lick mat, kong, chew, or other high-value, long-lasting reward. Now, close the door for 5 seconds, then open it again. Repeat this exercise slowly, increasing the time the door remains closed.
At first, open the door before the dog finishes its reward inside. Once it starts to get comfortable with having the door closed, you can keep it closed for 5, 10, or 20 seconds after they have finished. Slowly increase the time the door stays shut. * Do not shut the door and go away. When you open the door, don't let the puppy rush out. Instead, open the door and immediately throw a high-value treat into the back of the crate so the dog chooses to stay inside a bit longer.
Step 6. Conditioning the feeling.
Ask your dog to go to its crate when it is tired or at bedtime. Shut the crate door and time how long your dog sleeps. Young puppies may not sleep through the night, while older dogs can. Once your dog is house-trained and reliably sleeping in its crate through the night, you can choose to keep the door open.
Videos from other trainers
More resources
Spirit Dog Training, Dogs That Create Games (Purchase required), Fear Free Happy Homes, AKC