Why Crate Training is a Good Thing

Dogs instinctively seek smaller, darker spaces as shelters. We can utilize this instinctive behavior in our puppies during the process of crate training. Even though our puppies have a predisposition to den, they will likely have some issues settling into their crate. Understandably though, right? First of all, we just removed them from everything familiar to them for their first eight weeks of life, including their family. Second, they just made new friends that are now putting them in a spot to rest and relax when all they think they want to do is PLAY! Third, in all of the “firsts” they are experiencing, we just through another one at them with a new bedroom, aka, their crate.

Comfort

I’m a firm believer in crate training every puppy, even if we don’t intend to crate our dogs in the future. Crate training helps potty train puppies because they don’t like soiling their sleeping space. As a result, puppies learn to hold their bladders longer. Crate training helps prepare our dog for traveling. A crate or dog box on a truck or trailer is a much safer way for our dog to travel rather than sitting freely in our vehicle. Plus, not all of the places we visit will allow our dogs to freely run in the space we’re staying. Crate training also helps our dog have a haven if we should ever encounter an emergency or natural disaster. In a crate, they’re more likely to feel safe and we’re more likely to have peace, knowing they are secure, even in the midst of whatever we or they are facing.

START SMALL

Don’t crate train your eight-week-old puppy in a crate they’ll use when they are fully grown. If the crate is too big, the puppy won’t have a sense of safety. Likewise, if the crate is too big, there is space for our puppy to go to the bathroom and then avoid it.

Placing a blanket or towel over the crate, helps our puppies connect with their den instincts faster. Covering the crate also removes the ability for our puppy to see whatever is going on outside of the crate. When they can’t see us, they’re less likely to be distracted or fear missing out. Having a dark, distraction-free space, helps puppies settle in faster and longer.

I highly discourage putting toys and bedding in the crate with our puppies. Even though we might feel like not putting bedding or toys in the crate is punishment, it helps us keep our puppy safe. When our puppies have access to items they can chew, destroy and possibly ingest, especially while they are not under direct supervision, they are in danger.

HAVE FUN

Even though the crate might become a place for our dog to be in a “time out” while we work through the outcome of their behavior, the crate should never feel like punishment. So, that means, even if we are frustrated with our dog, we need to use the same tone, posture and command to kennel that we use in any other situation.
When we’re helping our puppy learn the “kennel” command, we should practice their entry and exit. The reward can be things like: a treat, our praise, solitude in the crate or “freedom” from the crate.

I emphasize helping my pups respect exiting the crate, as much as I emphasize helping them respect entering the crate and settling into it. All that to say, I encourage you to include releasing your dog from the crate as a part of the crate training process. When you do, you’ll get to a place in your training where you can open the crate door and walk away and your dog will stay in their crate until you release them.

TIMING

During crate training, I teach my puppies the first thing they do when they leave their crate is head to the door so we can go outside for a bathroom break. With a puppy, I recommend you pick them up as soon as they leave the crate, so you can help them get to the grass before having an accident in the house.
Crate training requires commitment and discipline on our part, but when we follow through, we’ll see great benefits in other areas of our training. That being said, you can do it.

by Kyle Dana

Home – Iowa Sportsman

August 2024