Crate training is a wonderful tool. It is a useful aid in potty training, and curbs problems overnight and when you aren't home to keep an eye on your dog. It also gives your dog a safe place to go if he feels threatened or scared. Crate training is appropriate for all ages, and all sizes of dogs.
The cardinal rule of crate training is that the crate must remain a happy place. Never send your dog to his crate as a punishment.
The first step is to select a proper crate. Some people prefer the solid plastic airline crates, while others prefer the open wire crates. Some dogs do better in one over the other; it's really up to you and your dogs' preferences. The crate should be just big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. If you have a puppy, you may want to purchase a “grow with me” crate or a divider to section off the crate to an appropriate size as he grows.
Once you've selected where the crate will be and everything is assembled, you'll want to “furnish” your dog's new room. Put a blanket or a towel in the bottom. The heavier the dog, the thicker the blanket should be. This is not only for security and for warmth, but it also keeps your dog from having his pressure points on the hard plastic. Get a toy that will be the “crate toy.” Put it in the crate, and make sure it stays there. This will be the toy that your dog knows he can only play with when he's in his crate. You may want to offer a Kong toy in addition to the crate toy, especially if your dog suffers from mild or moderate separation anxiety or is especially destructive when you leave.
Introduce your dog to the crate. Some dogs will walk right in and lay down, and others will be scared to go in. If your dog doesn't want to go in the crate, don't make him. Get a treat, or even a handful of kibble, and tossa piece into the crate. See if he'll go in. If this doesn't work, put his next meal in the back of the crate so he has to go in completely to get his food. Let him know that the crate is not a scary place, and you are not going to lock him in (at least not right away). Once your dog is comfortable walking into the crate (this can take up to a week), you are ready to start training.
Start out with putting your dog in the crate for a few short times. For example, crate him while you check the mail, just a few minutes the first time. Let him out, praise him, and take him out to go potty when you return. Build up with crating while you make dinner, crating while you run to the store, and eventually you will be able to leave him in the crate for several hours at a time. Every time you return, let him out, praise him, and immediately bring him out to go potty.
Never leave a dog or puppy in a crate for more than eight hours at a time. If you will be away from home for more than eight hours, you should find someone to stop by in the middle of the day to let him out for a potty break. Remember that puppies and small dogs have smaller bladders than larger dogs, and simply can't “hold it” for long periods of time.
When you are home, leave the crate door open so he can come and go as he pleases. Just make sure the blanket and crate toy remain in the crate. Dogs that are afraid of certain things (thunder, popping bubble-wrap, small children, sirens, etc.) will naturally go to their crate when faced with their fears because they see it as a safe place. Make sure it remains a safe place by keeping whatever scares your dog away from the crate. For example, if your dog is afraid of small kids, make sure the children stay away from the dog crate.
Be sure to wash the blanket or towel regularly, or switch it out for a clean one. Eventually your dog will “kennel up” without being asked to.
Once trained, a dog should only be kenneled when you are gone, or at night. Do not use the kennel as a punishment, or your dog will not want to be there.
**If your dog suffers from extreme separation anxiety, please be careful with crate training. Such dogs can be hurt trying to dig or chew their way out. We've heard of dogs who broke out teeth and even strangled to death because they were left alone for a long period right away, and the owner had no idea of the severity of the issue. Start Small!
