As such, the crate helps puppies learn to hold and strengthen their bladder and bowel muscles, making housebreaking less of a chore for you and your dog. Crate training helps senior dogs deal with health issues by providing a restful place to rest their joints or take frequent naps , prevents nighttime wandering, and makes transporting them to vet appointments easier.
Crates also create safe havens for older dogs. They may be especially in need of this when surrounded by rambunctious children or other dogs. For rescue dogs, a crate provides a safe space to adjust to their new surroundings as well as the luxury of not having to fight for their own space.
Crates provide comfort to rescue dogs, since some are fearful around certain people or environments. This is particularly true for dogs with a traumatic past of neglect or abuse. Crates allow rescue dogs to know they have their own territory and no one will hurt them in it. Crate training will improve their confidence and curtail problematic behavior.
Crate training benefits hunting dogs , keeping them comfortable during hunts and on the road. Many hunting dogs have spent most of their lives outside and have had little interaction with humans. Kroh advises crate training them the same way you would a puppy.
Since dogs feel responsible for their own territory, insecure dogs need less space to protect. A crate rather than the entire house means less territory to patrol, making it easier for them to relax.
The first and most important step in crate training is making it a positive experience. Try feeding them meals or treats in their crate so crate time feels like a reward. Never leave dogs in their crate all day. Limit crate time based on how long they spend in their crate daily, their age, and level of house training.
Understanding the need for crate training is just the first step, but the training itself is another matter entirely. Sit quietly near the crate for a few minutes, leave the room for a few minutes, then return again for a few minutes, and then let your dog out. Repeat this several times daily. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog is in the crate calmly and quietly with you in and out of sight until it reaches 30 minutes.
When should I not crate my dog? This can lead to panic and frantic attempts to escape thus causing injury [ 3 ]. Please speak to your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog, separation anxiety or claustrophobia. It is not acceptable to crate your dog for long periods of time, such as during the day while you are at work — dogs should not be left shut in their crate for excessive periods of time as this limits their exercise, ability to soil, and social and behavioural needs, thus making them feel stressed and trapped [ 3 ].
Adult dogs should not be left for more than hours in a crate, and puppies not more than hours. Crating must never be used as a form of punishment — the primary purpose of a crate is a safe space for your dog which should only have positive associations, and forcing your dog into the crate as a form of punishment defeats this purpose.
Not every dog will be comfortable being in a crate and if this continues despite the proper procedures being followed need to consult a behaviourist [ 1 ]. Is it important to train my dog? What sort of training would you recommend? After your dog is eating their regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, you can confine them there for short periods of time while you're home.
After your dog can spend about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving them crated for short periods when you leave the house. When you return home, don't reward your dog for excited behavior by responding to them in an enthusiastic way. Keep arrivals low-key to avoid increasing their anxiety over when you will return. Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you're home so they don't associate crating with being left alone.
Put your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat. Initially, it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need to go outside to eliminate during the night and you'll want to be able to hear your puppy when they whine to be let outside.
Older dogs should also initially be kept nearby so they don't associate the crate with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping comfortably through the night with the crate near you, you can begin to gradually move it to the location you prefer, although time spent with your dog—even sleep time—is a chance to strengthen the bond between you and your pet.
If you've followed the training procedures outlined above, then your dog hasn't been rewarded for whining in the past by being released from their crate. If that is the case, try to ignore the whining.
If your dog is just testing you, they'll probably stop whining soon. Never punish them for whining. If the whining continues after you've ignored them for several minutes, use the phrase they associate with going outside to eliminate. If they respond and become excited, take them outside. This should be a trip with a purpose, not play time. Stand in one spot in your yard where they normally go to the bathroom and wait. If you're convinced that your dog doesn't need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore them until they stop whining.
If you've progressed gradually through the training steps and haven't done too much too fast, you'll be less likely to encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need to start the crate training process over again.
Separation anxiety : Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety won't solve the problem. A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive, but they may get injured in an attempt to escape.
Separation anxiety problems can only be resolved with counterconditioning and desensitization procedures. You may want to consult a professional animal-behavior specialist for help. Crate training Crating caution A crate is not a magical solution to common canine behavior. While crates can be used to manage a behavior, they should never be used for punishment.
For example, putting your dog in a crate with an interactive toy when guests come over to avoid mishaps with food or jumping is more effective than waiting for misbehavior and then putting your dog away.
Regardless of the timing, using treats to entice your dog into the crate until they love going in on their own will ensure a positive association with it. Don't leave your dog in the crate too long. You may have to change your schedule, hire a pet sitter or take your dog to a daycare facility to reduce the amount of time they spend in the crate each day.
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