The Crate - A Help to Teach Your Dog Acceptable Behavior

All animals living in our homes require some basic training to become that special companion we do not want to live without. Lots of pets with great potential are unfairly punished, isolated �gotten rid of� and/or misunderstood by their owners who are unable to control, live with and/or prevent ordinary dog behavior unacceptable to humans.

A number of dog knowledgeable people recommend the use of a crate to help in the training of a dog or puppy. The crate is also considered by some as the safe place where your furry companion can get away from it all. As it has been recognized that a dog is a pack animal, the crate acts as their den.

There are definite advantages and disadvantages to crates and your dog. Your life style, your past experience with training a dog, the age of the dog or puppy, your patience level, the presence of other animals in the household, etc can all be deciding factors in whether crate training is right for you and your dog. Used wisely, crate training can be positive for you and your dog.

Crating Your Dog

What is crating?   Crating is the practice of using a portable kennel for training a dog. Most dog owners would use a crate for house training and house proofing their dog. If you travel with your dog, you might use the crate in the car or in lodgings as well.

What is a crate?   A dog crate is made out of wire, wood, metal, plastic, etc, is rectangular in shape with four sides, top and bottom and a door. Crates are made in a variety of sizes proportioned to fit most dogs. The one you choose for your dog should allow him or her to lie down, stand up and turn around in comfortably, but not large enough to relieve themselves at one end and sleep at the other. If you have a puppy, you can buy a larger size and block off part of it until the dog grows into it. Another choice is to buy different size crates as the dog grows. A popular type of crate is a wire fold down collapsible type which can be used easily in the car.

What do dog owners think?   Some people believe it is cruel and view a crate as a cage. Certainly if the animal is placed into the crate, the door closed and left there for hours on end, it could be considered cruel. However, used wisely it can provide a sense of security and safety to your pet as well as provide a place for confinement when the dog is learning housebreaking, the rules of the house and even general control. For many years dog trainers, show exhibitors, breeders, groomers, veterinarians and others who handle dogs on a regular basis have effectively used crating.

What do the dogs think?   Historically, it is recognized that a dog is a pack animal and a former den dweller. A crate may be considered a safe place, a home and their den. The dog does not have to defend it and it belongs to them. It should not be used by other animals while training nor used as a playhouse by the kids.

What is the advantage to crate training?

•  The major advantage to crates and subsequent training in it, is to prevent your dog from doing something wrong and not getting corrected for it. Correcting an animal for bad behavior needs to be done when that behavior is happening not after the fact. If the puppy or dog is out of the crate unsupervised and does something you don�t want it to and some time later you discover the puddle on the rug or the torn up pillow you either ignore it or reprimand the dog. If you ignore it, the dog may learn that when you�re not there he can get away with negative behavior and if you scold him, he won�t know why.
• Another advantage of the crate is that it may prevent a new dog or puppy from damaging the household goods, furniture, clothing etc. It also serves as a protection to the animal when you are too busy or away and that wire or piece of wood can�t be reached.

Crating your new companion. A crate will usually help the animal adapt easily and quickly to you and to their new environment. The crate should be put in an area near people. For bedding place an old towel or blanket in the crate with a piece of your old clothing. A clip on dish for water should be included.

Remember the crate is the safe place for the dog or puppy and not a playhouse for the kids or other animals. Try to establish a routine and stick to it. Use the crate whenever the dog will be left alone for up to 4 hours as well as for the times you and your new furry companion need time out. Place a toy or two in the crate and make sure you remove the collar & tags which may get caught in the wire.

The first few nights, it is a good idea to place the crate with the door open in the laundry room or bathroom. Once you know the puppy can make it through the night without soiling, you can put the crate into the place where it is more permanent. An alternative to housebreaking your puppy with crate training is paper training.

Whenever you take the animal out of the crate, immediately take them outside to the elimination spot. This will help to reinforce that the crate and the house are not the right places. Make sure you let the dog out often enough so he doesn�t soil the crate. Use lots of praise when the dog does the right thing.

After a while you can leave the door open at night, when someone is at home or when you go out for a short time. Gradually as the puppy or the dog gets use to being alone, stops teething, and feels secure in your home, you�ll be able to put them in the crate with the door open. When letting them out of the crate unsupervised do it for short periods of time to check on their behavior in the house gradually increasing their time out alone. If their behavior is satisfactory make sure you praise them and the next time make the time alone a bit longer. The crate should be available for them if they want it with the door obviously remaining open.

Please ... Do not use the crate as a punishment.

Remember that while dogs do sleep a lot they still need play time and exercise. When you are home, they should be with you and not in the crate. Plan to spend time playing and exercising your new companion.

Have fun and enjoy your new pet!

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