I help a lot of clients learn how to properly introduce crate training to their puppies and rescue dogs.
When properly introduced, crates represent a safe place to relax for your dog. Crates help with house breaking (AKA potty training,) protect your dog from eating things that are unsafe, and can prevent your dog from learning bad habits (like chewing your kid’s socks, counter surfing, and barking out the window all day.)
Here are some tips to help you understand why crates are great:
DEN ANIMALS: Dogs are den animals. They like to rest in small spaces. This is why your dog may like lying underneath your couch and your dining room table. It may also be the reason why he dug a hole in your yard to lay underneath your chicken coop or your deck. When introduced correctly, dogs love their crates, oftentimes going and taking naps there with the door open years down the road.
Dogs often seek out den-like spaces (Photo: French Bulldog underneath a small table)
PREVENTING SEPARATION ANXIETY: Dogs are a different species. It is not natural for them to separate from pack members. When they come to live with humans, we must teach them our ways. Humans separate from each other to go to work or school, shop for groceries, exercise, etc. Set your pup up for success by teaching her that she can feel safe and confident when not touching you (a human.) If she lays on your feet or lap all day, she will likely have trouble coping when you go out to get groceries, on a date, or to work and leave her behind. By teaching your puppy to love being in her crate you are helping her to feel safe and secure when you’re not at home.
This little guy used to scream in his crate. Medication didn’t help. In-home sessions with Beyond Dog Training helped. This was his very first crate nap. (Photo: French Bulldog X English Bulldog puppy, Braxton, napping in his crate.)
PREVENTING UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOURS: Your new puppy doesn’t know that she shouldn’t pee indoors, bite your couch, or jump on your toddler until you teach her how to behave in the human world. Your puppy is always learning. If you are distracted by a Zoom meeting or a work call and your puppy is roaming around unsupervised she will learn things like:
-chewing the underside of your couch is fun
-chasing the cats is awesome
-peeing just out of sight is a great idea to prevent getting scolded
-kid’s toys are just as fun as her own toys
-barking out the window is fantastic
-and much, much more
It is far easier to prevent your puppy from learning these activities than to train her how to stop doing these activities. Make life easy on both of you by teaching her that crates are great.
Your puppy can’t chew your couch while she’s napping in her crate, just sayin’ (Photo: Weimaraner puppy gnawing on the furniture)
By teaching your puppy to love her crate, she will happily take naps while you do a Zoom call, teach your toddler how to sleep in a big boy bed, or wash your dishes.
Remember that you must fulfill your puppy or new rescue dog before expecting them to go into a calm resting state in their crate.
How do I fulfill my puppy or new rescue dog?
-short, fun, positive training sessions
-teaching your puppy something new (how to heel on the leash, how to stay, how to come when called, how to “drop it,” etc)
-a structured walk
-an activity that fulfills your dog’s breed need
Don’t forget to do a potty break before your crate training session too.
Happy training, Dog Leaders!
Alyssa
Photos by: Upsplash Images (Border Collie resting in a crate with the door open,) Raj Rana
@theranaman (French Bulldog underneath a small table,) Alyssa Foulkes (French Bulldog X English Bulldog puppy, Braxton napping in his crate,) Upsplash Images (Weimaraner puppy gnawing on the furniture,)