A Step by Step Guide to Crate Training a Puppy<\/h2>\n
Before we get into our guide, it\u2019s important to note that crate training can be a lengthy process. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC<\/a>), it takes a dog around six months to be fully crate trained. Of course, every pup is different \u2013 temperament, past experiences, and age can all play a part. Some will pick it up more quickly, and others will take much longer.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t get frustrated if your pup is not making progress as fast as you thought they would. Be patient and keep at it. They\u2019ll get there in the end at their own pace!<\/p>\n During training, make sure your pup is not wearing their collar when they\u2019re inside the crate. If their collar or its tags get caught, they could end up hurting themselves.<\/p>\n Set up the crate at your desired location (tips on picking the perfect spot further down<\/a>). Leave the door open, and give your pup some time to explore the crate.<\/p>\n Whenever they show interest in the crate, reward them with a treat and praise them. Then gradually narrow your criteria \u2013 only reward them if they get close to the crate, then only if they enter it. This process is called \u201cshaping<\/a>,\u201d and it entails encouraging your pup to act out the desired behavior on their own accord.<\/p>\n As they become more confident, you can also start incorporating a command cue word. Every time they enter the crate, say the words \u201ccrate up.\u201d Over time, they\u2019ll soon realize that \u201ccrate up\u201d means to enter their crate.<\/p>\n Your puppy might be hesitant to approach the crate at first, but never physically push them toward it, and certainly don\u2019t force them into it. If you force them before they\u2019re ready, it can make them anxious and stressed, and they can even end up fearing the crate.<\/p>\n If your puppy is acting cautious or is simply not intrigued by the crate, there are a few things you can try:<\/p>\n <\/a> Once your pup is confidently exploring the crate, you now need to make their time in it as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. This will encourage them to view the crate as a safe place where they can relax and have fun.<\/p>\n While the treats will have already helped build up the positive associations, here, we\u2019ll go over several more ways to make their crate a more enjoyable place to be.<\/p>\n Remember that once your pup is fully crate trained, you shouldn\u2019t take away all the things that make it a positive experience, like comfortable bedding and feeding them their meals in the crate. It always needs to be a cozy place for them. Once you\u2019ve built up the positive associations, you can now work on getting your pup used to being in the crate with the door closed, as well as being inside it for longer periods of time.<\/p>\n Make sure to close the gate slowly. If you shut it too fast, the sudden movement and noise could startle your pup and scare them.<\/p>\n If your pup shows any distress or discomfort during this process, it\u2019s a clear sign you\u2019ve pushed them too far. So go back a few steps and take it slower.<\/p>\n If they start whining, wait until they\u2019re quiet before you let them out. If you open the crate while they\u2019re still whining, you\u2019ll reinforce their negative feelings, and you\u2019ll also be teaching them that whining is a behavior that gains your attention.<\/p>\n Gradually increasing the time will help make it more manageable for your pup, as you\u2019re not always asking them to outperform themselves every time. The \u201cmix it up\u201d strategy should be used in the training processes below as well.<\/p>\n Now, you\u2019ll need to get your pup used to being in their crate when you\u2019re not in the room.<\/p>\n This time when your puppy enters their crate, take a step back. Then wait for a few seconds, return to them and give them a treat. Repeat this step, gradually increasing the distance and duration.<\/p>\n Once your puppy is happy with you not being near the crate, start leaving the room. Just like before, take it slowly. At first, make sure to only leave the room for a few seconds before returning.<\/p>\n This part of the process usually takes the longest. It can even take several months. So be patient with your pup; as always, regular and consistent training is key.<\/p>\n When you leave them alone in their crate, don\u2019t make a big deal of it. If you shower them with heaps of love, treats, and praise every time you take off, they\u2019ll associate this affection with you leaving and get stressed<\/a>.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to use your cue word \u201ccrate up,\u201d and make sure to practice this cue word from various distances.<\/p>\n Great! Your puppy can now comfortably stay in their crate for long periods of time when you\u2019re not in the room, but what if there are distractions? Puppies are curious and love to be a part of all the commotion. Chances are, they won\u2019t sit still in their crate if there are things going on around them.<\/p>\n Luckily, through training, it\u2019s completely possible to get them to stay calm even if there are distractions. Below, we\u2019ve outlined the steps for you:<\/p>\n Once your pup has mastered the crate, don\u2019t forget to fade out the lure<\/a>. If you\u2019re not familiar with the term, fading the lure basically translates to fading out the use of rewards. This step is essential \u2013 if you reward your puppy every time they use their crate, they\u2019ll end up only using it if you give them treats.<\/p>\n To fade out the lure, slowly lessen the amount of times you reward your pup when they use the crate. Doing so gradually is vital here; if you suddenly stop giving them rewards entirely, they\u2019ll become annoyed, confused, and act out as a result.<\/p>\n We can\u2019t stress this enough: you should never use the crate as a way to punish your pup. Rather than viewing it as a safe place of refuge, they will associate it with your anger and ultimately come to see it as a horrible place to be. Eventually, they will fear and avoid it, and all your training efforts will go down the drain.<\/p>\n While looking after a puppy can be difficult, remember to keep calm and remind yourself your pup doesn\u2019t know what\u2019s right and what\u2019s wrong. They\u2019re not going out of their way to frustrate you.<\/p>\n As we talked about earlier in \u201cStep 3\u201d<\/a>, it\u2019s important to not give in to your pup\u2019s whines for attention. With that said, if they suddenly start whining at night and continue whining even after you\u2019ve ignored them for a few minutes, they likely need to relieve themselves.<\/p>\n Most pups will need to relieve themselves at least once during the night. Puppies\u2019 bladders aren\u2019t fully developed until they\u2019re around six months old<\/a>, so they physically can\u2019t hold their bladder for long periods of time.<\/p>\n When taking your pup to go potty at night, do not shower them with attention. Take them to their designated \u201cpotty spot<\/a>,\u201d then take them back to their crate immediately once they\u2019ve finished their business.<\/p>\n If your pup doesn\u2019t need to relieve themselves and simply has a hard time settling down in their crate, there are a few things that you can try:<\/p>\n <\/a> Once your pup starts to sleep peacefully through the night and has better control over its bladder, you can begin to move the crate further away, eventually to the location of your choice. We recommend placing the crate in an area where you and your family spend a lot of time, like the living room. Dogs are social animals<\/a> and thrive in group settings; they love being near their owners and don\u2019t like to be left out.<\/p>\n Of course, be aware that if they suffer from anxiety<\/a>, a quiet corner will probably be better, especially if you have guests around the house frequently.<\/p>\n No matter which location you choose, make sure it\u2019s warm and draft-free. You should also avoid placing the crate by a radiator, vent, or areas in direct sunlight.<\/p>\n Leaving your puppy inside their crate for too long is a recipe for disaster \u2013 they\u2019ll become stressed, frustrated and likely turn to destructive behaviors<\/a>. It will also make them see the crate as anything but a safe space, which can hinder any crate training progress you\u2019ve made so far.<\/p>\n The less time your puppy is left alone in their crate, the better, but as a general rule of thumb, it shouldn\u2019t be more than a few hours. More precisely, according to the AKC<\/a>, the maximum number of hours can be determined by the month-plus-one rule: \u201cthe age of your puppy in months and add one.\u201d So, a 3-month-old puppy should be able to comfortably stay in a crate for four hours. Seven hours is the maximum time any dog should be left in a crate.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that the guidance above is solely based on how long an average pup can hold its bladder. Their personality and temperament can also play a huge part in how long they should be left in a crate; they might be able to hold their bladder for a long time but get bored quickly.<\/p>\n Another factor to take into account is if your pup has any medical conditions. Some conditions<\/a> can cause dogs to need the bathroom more often.<\/p>\n When leaving your puppy alone for longer than 30 minutes, make sure they have games inside the crate and a safe, long-lasting chew to keep them entertained. By safe, we mean a puppy-friendly one that won\u2019t pose a choking hazard \u2013 speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.<\/p>\n Be aware that although your pup might be able to stay in their crate for a few hours without getting stressed, you shouldn\u2019t use this to justify leaving them alone in their crate for hours during the day every day. They might seem okay with it at first, but it can be detrimental to their well-being in the long term. Instead, hire a dog sitter or seek help from a friend.<\/p>\n Before you even begin crate training a puppy, you need to make sure you\u2019ve bought an appropriate crate for them. There are many factors to consider, such as the size, type, and your pup\u2019s temperament.<\/p>\n Your pup should be able to move around in the crate comfortably and stand up with ease. However, it shouldn\u2019t be too spacious. If the crate is too big, it won\u2019t provide the same sense of security they\u2019ll get from a more enclosed crate, and it can even hinder their potty training<\/a>. Here is a handy guide<\/a> that will help you determine which size is right for your puppy.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that many crates have a divider feature that allows you to adjust the size. This is a must-have quality if you\u2019re getting a crate for a pup; as they grow, you can gradually increase the space by moving the divider instead of having to buy an entirely new crate.<\/p>\n There are several types of dog crates available on the market, including wire crates, plastic crates, and soft-sided crates. Below, we\u2019ll cover the pros and cons of each main type, so you can determine exactly which type is most suitable for you and your pup.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/p>\n Cons:<\/p>\n Pros:<\/p>\n Cons:<\/p>\n Pros:<\/p>\n Cons:<\/p>\n <\/a> A crate provides your pup space where they can feel safe and secure. This encourages self-soothing and can help alleviate their stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n If you ever have to move or take your dog somewhere new, bringing their crate will help them adjust since it\u2019ll give them a sense of familiarity.<\/p>\n It can be a lifesaver in emergencies; your pup will be more than willing to go into their crate without fuss, allowing you to quickly and easily transport them. They also won\u2019t be stressed if they ever have to be crated for travel.<\/p>\n You can travel in a car with your pup safely; unlike non-crated dogs, they won\u2019t move about and distract the driver.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t supervise your pup, you can put them in their crate instead of leaving them to their own devices. This can help to prevent them from developing bad habits<\/a> and can even be used to manage any bad habits they do pick up. With that said, keep in mind that management methods should always be used in conjunction with dedicated training.<\/p>\n Looking after a pup is a rewarding and exciting experience, but it\u2019s not without its difficulties. Crate training a puppy offers immeasurable benefits that will make some of the many challenges of puppyhood (and doghood) more manageable.<\/p>\n Although crates have often been labeled as \u201ccruel\u201d by misguided dog lovers, if used appropriately, a crate will never be a source of discomfort or fear. The only time a crate will become something that distresses a dog is if it is misused, just like any other training tool.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We all want to give our furry companions the best start in life, and one of the best things you can do for them is crate train them. Some misinformed owners believe that a crate is akin to \u201ccaging up\u201d your pup; however, this is far from the truth. In reality, a crate functions as […]<\/p>\nSafety Precautions<\/h3>\n
Step 1: Introducing the Crate<\/h3>\n
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Step 2: Making the Crate a Positive Experience<\/h3>\n
\n![\"puppy](\"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/puppy-lying-down-in-crate-with-toys.jpg\")
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\n<\/a><\/p>\nStep 3: Shutting the Door and Increasing Time<\/h3>\n
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Additional Tips<\/h4>\n
Step 4: Leaving the Room<\/h3>\n
Additional Tips<\/h4>\n
Step 5: Adding Distractions<\/h3>\n
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Step 6: Fading Out the Lure<\/h3>\n
Never Use the Crate as a Punishment<\/h3>\n
![\"puppy](\"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/puppy-in-crate-looking-sad.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPuppy Whining in Their Crate at Night<\/h2>\n
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Where to Place the Crate<\/h2>\n
\nKeep the crate in your bedroom initially. This will prevent your pup from feeling isolated, and it will allow you to easily hear them if they whine.<\/p>\nHow Long Should You Leave a Puppy in Their Crate<\/h2>\n
Leaving a Puppy Alone in Their Crate<\/h3>\n
Choosing the Right Crate<\/h2>\n
![\"puppy](\"https:\/\/usserviceanimals.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/puppy-in-plastic-travel-crate.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSize<\/h3>\n
Type<\/h3>\n
Wire Crate<\/h4>\n
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Plastic Crate<\/h4>\n
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Soft-Sided Crate<\/h4>\n
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Benefits of Crate Training a Puppy<\/h2>\n
\nCrate training a puppy has a whole host of amazing benefits, all of which help their well-being. We\u2019ve briefly touched on the benefits throughout this article, but we\u2019ll go over them in more detail here.<\/p>\nCrate Training a Puppy: The Takeaway<\/h2>\n