Many new owners believe crate training their puppy is cruel - we promise you, it's not. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Dogs like small places; they often curl up under tables, or chairs, or in cosy corners.
Your puppy will soon see his crate as his den; a safe and secure place for him to be.
What Is A Dog Crate?
A dog crate is a cage used to confine a puppy or a dog safely and in comfort.
The crate is usually made of heavy gauge steel wire, but can be made of plastic, or plastic coated wire, and is available in varying sizes to accommodate all types of dogs.
Some crates fold flat for portability and easy storage.
It may be supplied with a plastic base with a channel around the edges to collect any liquids, should there be any spillage or 'little accidents'.
The crate will have one door, sometimes two - a large door at the front of the cage, and a smaller one at the end. It may have a handle for carrying.
Reasons For Crate Training Your Puppy
There are several good reasons for crate training your puppy, and these are set out below:
Crate training your puppy will help to provide a safe and secure area for him; his own safe 'personal space' where he can go when he wants a bit of peace and quiet.
If your puppy isn't fully toilet-trained yet, crate training is ideal, as dogs instinctively try to avoid soiling their den. If they are in their crate, they will try to wait until they are taken outside.
Crate training your puppy can help to calm him and settle him down.
Confining your puppy to his crate when you're not free to supervise him minimises damage to your home caused by chewing or soiling, and in doing so, helps to build a better relationship between you and your puppy.
Crate training your puppy is less stressful for you too as there's less likelihood of you having to shout at, or chase, a naughty puppy around the house in a bid to catch and reprimand him for misbehaving.
Additional Benefits Of Crate Training
Crate training is very useful as your puppy's crate can be used for many occasions.
The crate can be used to transport your puppy in the car; it can either be placed on the back seat or, if you have an estate car, in the boot.
This will keep him safe inside the car until you are ready to let him out. It will be safer for the driver too, as the puppy won't be loose in the car.
Crate training comes in handy if you need to take your dog to the vets. Vets use crates for pets who need to stay overnight whilst being treated.
If your puppy is not used to a crate, this situation could cause him a great deal of unnecessary stress.
If you ever need to take your dog abroad, an option may be flying. This which will mean that your puppy will need to be crated during the flight.
Flying is stressful enough for any puppy, even one used to a crate, so imagine how your puppy may feel if he's never used a crate before.
When you go on holiday, it may not always be possible to take your puppy with you. At such times your puppy will need to be placed into boarding kennels where he will be looked after until your return. As with flying, your puppy will be much happier if he is already used to a crate.
Not all hotels will accept dogs, but those that do will be more relaxed about leaving your dog in the room if they know your puppy is crated.
Yet another situation where crate training your puppy pays dividends!
Crate Training - Buying A Crate
If you decide that crate training's for you, you'll find that crates can be purchased at most good pet stores, or online.
We recommend you choose a wire crate as sometimes puppies will chew plastic or plastic coated wire crates.
Ideally choose one with a removable plastic or metal tray so that spills and messes can be easily cleaned, and a cage which can fold flat.
Your puppy's crate should be large enough for him to stretch out fully, and to sit up, stand, and turn around, when he reaches his eventual adult size.
The crate will need to be sectioned off while your puppy is still small so that he can't use one end for sleeping and the other end for his toilet. You can use a piece of cardboard to partition your puppy's crate, and move it to allow him more space as he grows.
The cardboard can be removed altogether when you're confident that your puppy is fully housetrained, or when he has 'grown into' his crate.
To make crate training more comfortable for your puppy, the crate can be lined with vet bedding which has been cut to size; even better if the bedding holds his mother's and his littermate's scent.
If you want to, you can also put a soft puppy toy and his favourite blanket in there too.
Dog crates can be expensive, but the cost of buying a crate is nothing compared to the cost of repairing or replacing carpets or furniture - or worse, the family's pet hamster! Try explaining that one to your children!
Where Should I Site My Puppy's Crate?
Your puppy's crate is best placed somewhere where there is frequent traffic. A kitchen or living room is ideal - as he will feel part of the 'pack' if he can see what's going on around him.
The ideal place for your puppy's crate would be in the corner of a room, with a cover placed on the top of the crate for added security.
If you don't have a corner available, then anywhere will do, simply place a blanket over the crate, leaving the front clear - this will help to create a den-like feel.
Don't site your puppy's crate near any open windows or draughts.
The crate training process will run much more smoothly if your puppy's experiences in his crate are comfortable and positive.
How Do I Go About Crate Training My Puppy?
In the unlikely event that your breeder has not used crate training for the puppies, you will need to start from the beginning.
Crate training can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks - it all depends on how the crate training is carried out. If your puppy feels at ease, and isn't rushed, his development will be more positive.
How Do I Get My Puppy Into His Crate?
This is the very beginning of crate training - how to get your puppy into his crate.
Start by sitting outside of the crate, with your puppy by your side.
Slowly open the door of the crate, and then feed your puppy a treat. Stroke him and talk to him in a pleasant tone. Your puppy needs to feel that good things happen to him when he's in or around his crate.
Let your puppy explore the crate if he wants to, and if he goes inside, reward him with a treat. Crate training should be fun!
If your puppy doesn't show any interest, place a couple of small dog treats on the floor outside of his crate, and another just inside the door.
When your puppy has eaten the treats on the floor, he may place his head inside the crate. Praise him and throw in another treat, but this time throw it further inside to entice your puppy to step into the crate.
When he steps into the crate, praise him and give him another treat.
Let him explore the inside his crate and then call his name. If he comes out of the crate, reward him with a treat.
Continue placing treats inside his crate, and encouraging him to go in and to come out, but don't reward him for coming out of his crate unless you have called him.
Repeat the above crate training exercise several times until your puppy seems comfortable with going in and out of his crate.
Caveat Take your puppy's crate training slowly!
Getting Your Puppy Into His Crate On Command
When your puppy has mastered entering and leaving his crate, use the command "into bed" (or whatever you feel comfortable with) just as he goes in. This way he will eventually come to associate the words "into bed" with going into his crate.
After a couple of days, use the command "into bed" but this time don't throw any treats into his crate. Instead, simply wait for him to enter on command.
If he doesn't obey, don't command him a second time, and don't throw in a treat to try to entice him inside - wait it out.
If your puppy doesn't go into his crate, end the crate training session. Don't say anything to him. You can try again in a few minutes time.
Never force your puppy to go into his crate.
Repeat the above lessons at each crate training session and your puppy will soon be going in and out of his crate on command.
Closing The Crate Door
At your next crate training session, try throwing some treats towards the back of the crate and, when your puppy enters the crate, close the door behind him for a few seconds.
Just as he's about to finish his last treat, open the door.
Ideally, your puppy should be rewarded more for going into his crate and less for coming out of it. He needs to learn that it's more fun to be in the crate than out of it.
Try this exercise again, only this time leave the door closed. When he's finished his treats, he may settle down in his crate, he may explore it, or he may whine and want to be let out.
If he whines, try feeding him more treats through the bars of his crate to quieten him, before opening the door.
Repeat the above crate training exercise until you are able to leave your puppy in his crate for several minutes, gradually building up the time he spends in there.
If you prefer not to feed your puppy treats, you could instead try feeding your puppy in his crate - both options work equally well.
To begin with, place his food bowl just outside the door and let him eat. Move it just inside the cage for his next meal, moving it further inside each meal time.
When your puppy eventually goes inside to eat his food, close the door gently behind him. He may want to be let out immediately; if this happens, open the door and let him come out, but leave his food bowl inside and then close the door again. Don't praise your puppy at this stage; stay quiet.
If he's hungry, he may try to get in again, in which case, open the door and let him in.
Once your puppy is standing inside his crate to eat his meal, quietly and gently close the door. Open the door just as he's finishing in his food but next time try leaving the door closed for 30 seconds longer.
This part of the crate training may take several attempts depending upon how comfortable your puppy is with his crate door being closed.
Continue with this process until your puppy has eaten all his food.
Repeat the above crate training for each meal but leave the door closed for longer each time.
Remove the food bowl, offer your puppy some water, and then take him outside to his toilet area. Praise him if he does the business, and then reward him by playing with him for a little while.
Don't forget to offset the treats against his food allowance, otherwise you may end up with an overweight puppy!
Crate Training and Toys
Crate training should be fun and safe.
To ensure your puppy's crate is a safe, comfortable and fun place to be, keep a puppy kong, a soft toy, or a few small treats in your puppy's crate for when he goes in without being prompted.
Always check that any toys you leave with your puppy are safe for him to play with unsupervised.
Some toys come apart, or the squeaker can be chewed out, causing puppies to choke on small parts; check that nothing can be broken or bitten off and swallowed.
Remove the eyes and nose from soft toys for your puppy's safety.
Crate Training - What If My Puppy Cries?
There may be times during crate training when your puppy cries or whines to be let out of his crate. Don't pay any attention to him. If you do, he'll learn that crying is the way to get your attention and will do it all the more.
Wait until your puppy has stopped crying for at least 10 seconds before letting him out; that way he won't associate being let out of his crate with crying.
If your puppy won't stop crying, try feeding him treats through the bars of his crate. Alternativly, you could try distracting him with a new toy - the objective is to have him stop crying for 10 seconds so that you can let him out without him learning that crying opens doors!
Crating Your Puppy While You Are At Home
We recommend that you crate your puppy for short periods of time while you are home with him before leaving him on his own.
It's probably easier if you crate your puppy while you are in the same room with him, perhaps while you are reading or watching television. Your puppy will feel more comfortable in his crate because he will still be able to see you.
This will prevent your puppy from associating being crated with being left alone.
When your puppy is comfortable staying in his locked crate, move out of sight for 30 seconds before returning. If he stayed quiet, you can reward him with a stroke through the bars of his crate, or a training treat, but don't make too much fuss.
Do this crate training exercise as often as you can. The aim is to gradually increase the time you stay away, and for your puppy to realise that you always return.
Don't be tempted to rush this part of the crate training process - you'll soon see that your puppy will settle down quietly in your absence.
Crating Your Puppy When Leaving The House
You will at some point need to leave your puppy in the house on his own. If he is comfortable with his crate, and has not had any unpleasant or distressing experiences in there, there should be no reason why you can't leave him in his crate for a little while.
Before you crate your puppy, always take him outside into the garden beforehand to give him the opportunity to relieve himself.
Let him have a little playtime and some exercise before you put him in his crate. This may help to tire him out and he may fall asleep in his crate while you're out.
Always take care to remove your puppy's collar while he's locked in the crate.
Gently close the door and leave - don't make a fuss, simply leave quietly.
When you first begin with crate training, we would recommend leaving your puppy for no longer than an hour until he gets used to being alone.
If you need to go out for longer, you may want to ask someone to look in on him after an hour to let him out into the garden for his toilet, and to play with him for a short time.
If you need to go out to work, there are a couple of ways to make sure your puppy is safe and happy.
If it's feasible, you could come home at lunch time, but if you're not able to do that, you could pay a dog sitter to look after him, or hire a dog walker to pop in and feed him and take him out for his daily exercise, or into the garden if he's not yet fully vaccinated.
How Long Can I Leave My Puppy?
That depends upon the age of your puppy, but never longer than he can control his bladder and bowels. Your puppy's control will improve as he gets older, so please be patient.
As a general rule, the length of time your puppy can be left during the day, is as follows:
10 weeks old - up to 60 minutes
up to 14 weeks old - up to 3 hours
up to 16 weeks old - up to 4 hours
up to 17 weeks old - up to 5 hours.
Don't leave puppies under 10 weeks alone for any longer than 30 minutes during the day.
Don't leave your puppy locked in his crate for longer than is necessary, and in any case, no longer than 5 hours.
If you need to crate your puppy for longer than one hour, consider sectioning off a room, or part of it if you can, to allow your puppy more freedom.
This area should contain his crate - door open - and still leave plenty of room for him to run around in.
It should also contain his water bowl, a chew toy, and a soft puppy toy. You will also need to prepare an area with newspapers or puppy pads for his toilet.
The kitchen or utility room is ideal for this purpose as the tiled floor makes it easier to clean up any mess.
Your puppy is then free to go in and out of his crate, and will have plenty of room to run around, explore, and play safely.
The above is a guideline only as all puppies are different, and develop at different rates. Please use your own judgement when it comes to crating times for your puppy.
Crate training can be tiresome, but don't worry, it won't be too long before you can leave him for up to 5 hours at a time. Be patient though, and don't expect too much from your puppy too soon.
Crating Your Puppy For His First Night
Exercise your puppy in the evening, play games with him and let him play with his toys - wear him out!
Before you put your puppy into his crate for the night, take him outside to his toilet area and encourage him to urinate. It's best if you don't give your puppy anything to eat or drink after 7:00pm. When you're sure his bladder is empty, bring him inside, put him in his crate, and leave him.
It is almost certain that your puppy will cry during his first night as his new home will be unfamiliar to him and he may be missing his mother and his littermates.
For your puppy's first night in his crate, you have two choices; put your puppy's crate out of earshot where you can't hear him crying or bring his crate into your bedroom where you can comfort him if he cries during the night.
Either is acceptable, but we would recommend the latter for your puppy's first night. If you place the crate by your bed you should be able to reach out to reassure him if he wakes.
Don't allow your puppy out of his crate unless you are certain that he wants to urinate. Take him outside to his toilet area and wait with him. If he urinates, quietly praise him and bring him straight back to his crate; no playing and no fussing - your puppy needs to learn that nightime is not for playing.
You may need to carry out the above crate training procedure every 2 or 3 hours during the night for his first few weeks, but this will quickly improve as your puppy is able to hold his bladder and bowels for longer.
At 3 months, a puppy can usually go all night without a bowel movement as long as he has been allowed out to relieve himself just before being put in his crate, and hasn't had any water for a couple of hours before bedtime.
There are a few do's and don'ts in crate training, but the most important one is never force your puppy to enter his crate.
When crate training your puppy, do keep your voice light and playful throughout as your aim is to make your puppy's crate training fun.
Whenever your puppy falls asleep, place him in his crate.
Don't use your puppy's crate as a punishment or your puppy may associate punishment with being crated and may come to resent his crate, thus undoing any positive crate training you may have already achieved.
Encourage a house rule that children don't play in your puppy's crate, and that they don't bother the puppy when he's in his crate. Your puppy needs to feel that his crate is his own safe haven.
Don't forget to remove your puppy's collar in case it catches or gets caught between the bars and chokes him. Similarly, don't crate a dog with a lead still attached.
If you only put your puppy in his crate when you leave the house, he may begin to associate the crate with your absence. Crate your puppy for short periods of time - up to an hour each day - while you are at home to avoid this. Not only will this help with the crate training process, it will give you some 'breathing space'!
Once you've mastered crate training, and your puppy is fully housetrained, he may then be trusted in the house without being kept in his crate. You may find however, that your puppy will still want to use his crate and will go in there from time to time.
We recommend that you continue to use the crate for your puppy to sleep in overnight, leaving the door open for him so that he can get out if he wants to, and has access to his water bowl.
Crate Training Adult Dogs
You can train adult dogs to use a crate but the crate training process may well prove more difficult, and you'll certainly need more patience. However, it is possible - simply follow the same procedure as for crate training puppies.
We hope our article about crate training has given you enough information and advice to help you successfully crate train your puppy - without too many problems along the way.
