Last Updated on May 19, 2023
Crate training a dog isn’t as simple as it might seem. Your dog needs to understand its crate is not an enclosure, but a temporary home. When crate training, remember to give your puppy plenty of love, attention, and affection—it’s important your dog feels comfortable inside the crate. However, things can get a bit challenging sometimes and you may find yourself wondering how to crate train your dog.
Our today’s post will cover 8 easy steps that will help you learn how to crate train a dog and how to make your dog feel safe in a crate.
What is a Dog Crate
A dog crate is a locked enclosure for your dog. It is usually made with wire or plastic and has a door that can be locked from the outside. Some are smaller like a pet carrier, while others are as large as a small room. Crates are useful when housebreaking your new puppy, keeping him confined when you cannot supervise him, or traveling with him in the car.
Crates also help keep your dog safe if he’s left alone in the house or car. They give him a place of his own that’s safe and secure, away from potential hazards like electrical cords and countertops, tables and chairs, plants, windowsills, sinks and toilets, other pets and kids. A crate helps keep your dog out of trouble by providing an appropriate den-like place that he can call his own. If you have a puppy who is still learning about housebreaking and chewing everything in sight, it’s worth considering getting them one of these useful devices. Let’s take a look at what dog crates can do for your pet…
Top 7 Benefits of Using a Dog Crate
1. Crates Keep Your Dog Safe While traveling
Keeping your dog safe on road trips is a top priority for pet owners. Whether you have a small dog who can fit in your lap or a big dog who will require his own seat and possibly even his own crate, you need to take additional precautions to keep them safe.
Crates are one of the best ways to keep your pet secure while traveling. In the event of an accident, a crate can help keep your dog from running away or distracting the driver by trying to jump into their lap. A crate also gives you peace of mind if your pup needs time-outs for bad behavior, as well as when they’re left alone at home or staying with friends and family. With these tips on how to choose the right dog crate and advice on what size to get, keeping your dog safe while traveling won’t be an issue any longer.
2. A Crate Keeps Your Dog Away From Harmful Stuff
Dog owners are not always home during the day and cannot be there for their dogs at all times. This means that even the nicest dog may try to find something to eat from the trash or chew on something they shouldn’t, especially if you have a puppy. There are many different kinds of dangers that a dog needs to be protected from, including anything poisonous or toxic.
Crates can keep your dog safe by creating an area where they cannot get into trouble. Even if your dog is able to get out of most types of conventional cages, an XXL Dog Crates will give them plenty of room but still provide you with a way to monitor their activities while keeping them safe and secure inside it.
3. Dog Crates Give Your Puppy a Private Space
when puppies are tired, they can be terrible. Puppies need up to 20 hours of sleep a day, depending on their age. If your dog is feeling tired, stressed, or fearful the crate provides your dog with a safe place to go for privacy. You’ll also have time for yourself to get things done without worrying about your puppy getting into something while you’re not looking.
4. Create Prevents Separation Anxiety
Crate training is a great way to help your dog feel more secure. It helps them learn to be calm and relaxed in their own space and not feel threatened by the sounds, sights, and smells of the outside world. It can also prevent separation anxiety, which can be very common in dogs. Dogs who are crate trained often learn to sleep in their crate, which can greatly reduce the risk of a dog bolting out the door.
5. Crate is a Great Way to Keep Your Dog away From Guests
If you have a dog, then you may know that they can be quite territorial. You may also know that they can be quite nosy, which is a problem when you have guests over. If you don’t want your dog to jump on guests or get in their way, then you should use a crate. Crates are a great way to keep your dog safe and out of trouble. They are also a great way to keep your guests from being bitten and scratched.
6. Crates Helps With toilet Training
Crate training can be extremely beneficial when house training your dog, as long as you use a crate that is the right size and take the time to potty train your puppy correctly. Make sure your dog has plenty of chances to relieve themselves, such as first thing in the morning, after eating, and after playing. This is especially important for puppies, who can’t control their bladders for very long.
7. Crates Can be an Effective Tool to Prevent Dogs From Fighting
Crates can be a great way to keep your dog occupied and away from other dogs. If you are looking for a way to get your dog to stop fighting, then give him a crate. A crate is also a good tool for a dog that is sick or injured because it limits their movement and gives them a safe place to rest. If you have a dog that likes to escape from its crate, try putting it in a room with a baby gate or door that the dog can’t easily go through.
How to Crate Train Your Dog in Simple 8 Steps
It is important that you remember, that crate training is a beneficial exercise for dogs. It is also important that you allow your dog to use the crate in their own time. Training a dog is a hard process, and for this reason, it is not recommended to rush the whole process. It can take days or weeks to crate train a dog, but things will get easier as you continue the process.
Step 1: Choose the Right Crate
There are many different crates that are available for dogs, but not all crates are suitable for every dog. Before you purchase a crate, it is important to consider the size of your dog, the type of crate you want, and the type of dog that you have. For example, if you have a small dog, a wire crate is not recommended because they are too easy for your dog to escape from. If you have a large dog, a plastic crate is not recommended because it can be damaged by your large dog. It is also important to consider the type of dog that you have because if you have a dog that is aggressive, it is important to find a crate that will be able to keep your dog contained. It is also important to consider the type of crate that your dog will be in while you are away from home. If you are going on vacation and leaving your dog in a kennel, it is important to find a kennel that has toys and bedding available for your dog.
Step 2: Introduce your Dog to the Crate
Dogs are social animals and thrive with companionship. Placing your dog in a crate while alone can make them feel trapped. This is why it is important to introduce a crate to your dog slowly. Make sure you place the crate in an area that your dog can see, smell and hear you – so your dog can feel safe. Once it is comfortable, your dog can stay there with you, on their own, while you leave the room.
Step 3: Train Your Dog to Enter the Crate
Prepare a treat-filled crate and place it in a quiet place where your dog can easily find it. It may take some days, but most dogs will eventually enter the crate. If your dog enters the crate immediately, be sure to praise and reward your dog. If your dog takes longer, simply repeat the procedure again. Keep the door open for now.
Step 4: Feed Your Dog Inside the Crate
When your dog is used to going into the crate, start feeding them their regular meals inside the crate. Put the food bowl in the crate and encourage them to go in. You can do this gradually by first putting the food bowl near the crate, then slowly moving it inside.
Step 5: Teach Your Dog a Crate Command
To crate train your dog, you need to first teach them a “crate command.” This command can be anything you want it to be, but it should always be a word that your dog knows and responds to. For example, you could teach them the word “crate” and point to the crate door with a treat in your hand, which means “go in the crate”. If your dog is already crate trained, make sure you praise them when they enter the crate so that they know what they’re doing is a good thing. Over time you can begin to use the crate command without a treat.
Step 6: Now Close the Crate Door
Once your dog is comfortable with eating meals in the crate, you can begin to close the door while they eat. The first time you close the door, only leave it closed until they finish their meal. Gradually increase the amount of time the door is closed after they finish eating.
Step 7: Crate for Longer Periods of Time
Increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate slowly with you coming in and out of sight. Once your dog is able to stay in the crate calmly and quietly, you can begin leaving him/her crated for short periods of time while you are gone.
Step 8: Crate Train Your Dog Overnight
If it’s nighttime, start in the bedroom with the crate right next to your bed. This way your puppy can see you easily. Sometimes, you may need to put the crate on your bed — especially if your puppy is young or still a puppy. Dogs should never be left in a crate for longer than 6 hours at a time. Remember if they are whining and asking to come out of their crate more frequently than every few hours, they likely just want to play. In this case, ignore that bad crate behavior so as to not encourage them to continue doing so.
When Not to Crate Your Dog
- The crate should never be used as a punishment device. The crate is a way for you to let your dog rest in his or her own space.
- It is best not to crate your canine without allowing them some play time coupled with toilet time first.
- Crating your dog for long periods of time such as during the day while you are at work is not acceptable. It is important to keep your dog entertained and in a safe place when you are not home, but it is also important to let them be a dog.
Final Thoughts
Crate training a dog is an effective way to ensure that your dog does not get into trouble. A crate doesn’t have to feel like a cage. Instead, crates can be a place to sleep and a place to play. With consistency, positive reinforcements, and patience your puppy will begin to happily settle into their crate with ease—you may find some sessions exhausting, but the end result will be worth it.