How to crate train a dog
Crate training your dog is a great way to provide a safe, comfortable environment to keep him while you're away or when you travel with him. And learning how to crate train a dog is a simple process if you take your time and allow your dog to get used to the idea at his own pace.
Where to keep the crate
Your dog's crate should be kept in an area with a lot of traffic like the living room or kitchen. Being able to see his environment while he's in it will keep your dog from feeling isolated. Put an old blanket or sweatshirt, something with your scent, in the crate with him.
Making introductions
Once you've settled on a place for the crate, open the door and let your dog investigate. You can place a treat inside to lure him. When he goes in, say a command like "into the crate" or something similar and give him plenty of praise. Keep your dog's crate training experience positive and upbeat. You should repeat this process several times: use a treat to attract him, say the command as he enters, and then give praise.
It can take a few hours, or even a day or two, for your dog to get used to his new den. Never force him into the crate; training should only progress when he's comfortable. If you're dog doesn't respond well or you feel frustrated, take a break and come back when you're both rested. You don't want him to develop a negative association with being crated.
Closing the door
If your dog is comfortable with the crate and goes in without a fuss, try closing the door. Keep it shut for only a minute or two, then open it and call your dog. Give lots of praise when he comes to you. Put him back in the crate either with a treat, or with the command if he has learned it, and close the door again. Leave it shut a little longer this time. You should repeat this process of opening and closing the door with the dog inside several times. Leave the door closed a little longer each time.
If your dog barks or whines in his crate when the door is closed, do not open the crate! He'll think that barking and whining is what gets him out rather than you calling him. Simply slap the crate with the palm of your hand and say "Quiet!". Don't open the door until he's quiet for a few minutes. Then call him to you and give him lots of praise.
Feeding in the crate
Once the initial phase of crate training your dog is over and he's at ease with the new crate, you can feed him while he's in it. Use the food bowl to lure him into the crate and then close the door. When he's done eating he might start to cry and whine to get out, but don't open the door. Correct the same as before by slapping the door and saying "Quiet!" in a firm voice. After a few minutes of silence, let him out.
Crate training tips
Never crate your dog as punishment
Your dog's experiences with his crate should all be positive. If you use the crate to detain him as punishment, he eventually won't want to go into it. Use proper leash corrections and other training tools to deter bad behavior, not crating.
Crate your dog when you're at home, too
If you only put your dog in his crate when you leave the house, he'll connect the crate with you leaving. Over time he can develop issues of separation anxiety or, at the least, he won't want to be crated. You should randomly put your dog in his crate even if you don't plan on leaving the house to avoid negative associations.
Your dog shouldn't live in his crate
During the initial phases of crate training your dog, you should leave him alone for no more than 30 minutes. Over the course of several weeks you can increase the time, but never leave your dog in his crate for longer than 6 to 8 hours. Give him plenty of exercise before he goes in and provide several chew toys to keep him entertained.
If you find that you consistently have to leave your dog in his crate for more than 8 hours, you should consider hiring a pet sitter to care for him during part of the day.
Learning how to crate train a dog can be a rewarding experience for you and your pet and it'll give him a comfortable place to call his own.
