Crate Training
By P. Kalbaugh
Using the Dog's Natural Denning Instinct
First, let's look at dog behavior in the wild. Wild adult dogs will naturally
find a den or safe area to sleep. When the dam whelps the pups in the wild she
sets up a den and keeps it clean until the pups are old enough to go outside on
their own. She teaches them it is not okay to potty in the place where they
sleep. Domestic dogs will also naturally den. You will often see a dog sleeping
under a table or desk or next to a piece of furniture if no other area is
provided for them to den. It is not cruel to develop this habit from the time
you bring the puppy home. In fact, it is cruel not to give the pup or dog a safe
area they can call their own.
Setting The Rules From The Beginning
If your puppy whines when you first put him in his crate it is probably because
he would rather be snuggled up close to you the way he was with his littermates.
If you allow the puppy access to your lap, bed, couch or chair when you first
get the puppy then it will be harder to eliminate these behaviors as the puppy
grows up. Think of what the adult size of your dog will be and decide if you
have room in your lap, bed, etc. for the the adult dog. You must decide before
you bring the puppy home what the "rules" will be and then stick to
them.
Positive Associations
Crate training should all be done
positively with no negative associations. When you first bring the puppy home
from the breeder, have the crate ready and comfortable for the puppy. I put a
towel or a washable pad in the crate, possibly a pillow so it is an inviting
area for the puppy. (My dogs crates are as comfortable and inviting as my own
bed!) I get a small yummy treat (small piece of raw hot dog works well) and
allow the puppy to sniff it and then lure the puppy into the crate with the
treat. When the puppy goes into the crate to get the treat and explore the new
area I just leave the door open and let him come out as he wishes. I don't force
the pup into the crate and I don't make him stay in there the first several
times. I then repeat putting a treat in the crate, allowing the puppy to go in
on his own for the treat. I do this several times and praise the puppy gently
while it's in the crate and associate a word or phrase for going in the crate.
My word association is "kennel up". I use the word association AS I'm
putting the treat into the crate and the puppy is following it in. Do this about
five times and then quit for awhile. Repeat this procedure several times the
first day.
Closing The Crate Door
When the puppy is going in after the treat comfortably and when the puppy has
just finished playing and piddling and is tired, lure the puppy into the crate
with the treat as you have before only this time close the door. I also put a
new
toy in the crate at this time. Something the puppy hasn't seen before and
something that is interesting and will keep his attention for a few minutes.
After I close the door, I sit on the floor in front of the crate and talk to the
puppy if necessary. If the puppy cries or whines, I put my fingers through the
grate in the door to reassure the puppy that I am still there. Usually, they
will only whine for a short while and may even fall asleep if they are tired. I
stay there until the whining subsides and the puppy calms down and then open the
crate door. 5-10 minutes usually. If the puppy happens to fall asleep, great! I
let him sleep in the crate until he wakes up and then it's right outside to go
potty. I don't use a lot of praise and fanfare when I open the crate door and I
ignore the puppy for a few minutes after he is out so that he doesn't get the
impression that getting out is much more fun than being in the crate. I do not
let the puppy out of the crate until he is quiet for at least 30 seconds and has
calmed down if he has been whining. I might try and distract him with another
toy to give him a chance to be quiet so I can let him out while he is quiet but
I WILL NOT let him out, especially the first time, until he IS quiet. I don't
yell or correct in any negative way. I just make up my mind that I will calmly
wait the puppy out no matter what.
The First Night At Home
If you have gotten your puppy during the day and had time to do the above steps,
great! The puppy will already be familiar with going in the crate after a treat.
If not, and you want to begin the puppy's life at his new home sleeping in a
crate here's what to do. I play with the puppy till he's tired, make sure he has
pottied outside and place the comfortable crate (with pad and towels etc.) on a
chair or table right next to my bed where I can reach it while I'm still lying
down. My night stand is set up for this purpose. I remove any collar that might
be unsafe, place or lure the tired puppy into the crate (possibly with a safe
toy) go to bed and turn out the lights as usual. If the puppy whines, I place my
fingers in the grate of the crate and talk softly to the puppy until he falls
asleep. I may lose a little sleep that night and possibly the next but I will
NOT open the door for the puppy for at least four hours. (I repeat: the puppy
has successfully pottied just before this!). I do not get angry with the puppy
or yell at him but I do not give in and let him out either. If the crate is
comfortable and warm enough, the lights are out and you are right there to talk
softly to him and let him lick your fingers, then usually he will fall asleep
within an hour, less if he is tired. At eight weeks of age you cannot expect the
puppy to go more than four hours without pottying. So, as soon as the puppy
whines after waking up, have your sweats, shoes and shirt ready to take the
puppy outside. Dress yourself quickly before you open the crate, carry
the puppy to the potty area immediately, praise softly and gently for a job well
done, bring him back in and without getting into a play session with him, return
the puppy to his crate, turn the lights out and go back to sleep. If the puppy
fusses for awhile, talk softly and put your fingers in the grate of the crate.
Two or three nights of this at the most and your puppy will be used to the
routine. If you happen to sleep through the puppy whining and he is forced to
potty in his crate because he can't hold it, don't blame or scold the puppy. It
is your responsibility to get the puppy out BEFORE he has had a chance soil his
den. Clean it up using a urine neutralizer (I use a light vinegar and water mix)
put clean towels or pads in the crate and return to your routine. Set an alarm
clock if you have to. The crate should not be too big for the pup, otherwise
there will be enough room for the puppy to soil in it's crate and not think
about it as soiling his sleeping area. Later on, after the puppy is used to it's
routine and after he no longer needs to go out every four hours, you can put the
crate on the floor of your bedroom or somewhere else in the house.
Crating When You Leave The House
At some point you have to go to work or go out somewhere and can't take the
puppy. He's made it through his first day and night at his new home. He is
familiar with his crate and it does not have any unpleasant associations linked
to it. Make sure the pup has been exercised and has pottied. It is helpful if he
has played a bit and is tired. Take off his collar and remove any
unsafe
toys that may be in the crate, lure him into the crate with a treat and your
association word or physically place the puppy into the crate gently. Close the
door and leave the house without further ado. No talking to him etc. He may
whine a little. You might have to explain to your neighbors that you are crate
training your new puppy to keep him safe from chewing things like electrical
cords and your new shoes while you are away and so he will develop good potty
habits. Explain that he may whine for a little while after you leave. Hopefully
they will understand. Don't stay away too long. An hour or two, is optimal. If
you have to go to work and have no other choice, then arrange to come home at
lunch to feed, exercise and potty the puppy during your break or have someone
else come in and do this for you. A puppy cannot be expected to go longer than
four hours without a potty break and it is very hard to retrain a puppy that is
used to soiling his crate.
A Place To Get Away From It All
After the puppy has grown a bit and is used to being put into his crate when you
leave and at night when you sleep, you will see something interesting happen.
When the puppy is tired and wants some time alone, possibly away from the
children (who should not be allowed access to the puppy's crate for play
purposes) he will go to his crate and curl up and go to sleep. I leave the doors
of my crates open and my dogs frequently go there to take a nap on their own
volition.
