Crate Training
Crates are misunderstood by dog owners around the world because the example most have seen is them being used incorrectly. A crate is a tool like any other we use for training. It has its place and when used appropriately can help your dog to feel safe and secure in their home. Crates are not to be thought of as a punishment or a prison cell for them to go into- it's more of a bedroom or den. Sometimes when they need a time out they are sent to their bedroom but it's never for more than a few minutes at most and it's only once we have enough value associated with the crate. In an emergency a crate can be the difference between keeping you and your dog safe.
How to select and set up your crate
Your crate should be big enough so your dog can comfortable- it should have a bed, water and a chew toy and still be big enough for them to turn around. The trap not to fall into though is a crate that is too big, especially if you are using the crate to toilet train your dog. If a crate is too big they will use one side as a toilet and one side as a bed. A good rule of thumb is to imagine your dog laying down and add another heads length. At the right size, they will just use it as a bed and will alert you that they want to go outside. If you are toilet training a growing puppy you can buy crate dividers to make them smaller.
How to build value in the crate
A crate will automatically have some value as dogs love a den. This is where the "mean" misunderstanding comes from with crates, we think that we wouldn't like that space so why would a dog? The difference is that dogs love to have an enclosed den to feel safe- it means that if something they don't like is happening they always have a safe place to retreat to. As with any tool though, we can create some extra value especially if they have had negative experiences in the past.
Building value by marking
Start with your regular engagement work.
Lead your dog to their crate.
When they step in the crate, reward them.
Keep rewarding in intervals while they are in the crate. If they want to leave, let them- but the rewards stop.
Repeat over time to increase the duration they are in the crate and the distance you can be to the crate while they are in there.
You can also shut the crate door and reward through it to maintain the value even when closed.
Building value via high value frozen treat
In a dog safe bowl, mix up their regular kibble with some water. You can do this to a paste or just until the kibble is soaked in the water.
Fill a dog toy with a treat cavity. Kong toys work well to give you an example.
Put in the freezer for 6+hours
Take the treat out of the freezer and apply a high value treat to the opening. Dog peanut butter or meat paste can work well.
Optional step - put back in the freezer for 1+hours
With your treat get your dog engaged and lead them to their crate.
When they go in their crate you put the treat in the crate for them to have and vocally praise.
If they try and carry it out, ask them to drop it and then place it back in the crate.
Repeat over time to increase the duration they are in the crate and the distance you can be to the crate while they are in there. Another progression will be closing the door.
Common questions
"But my dog just barks in a crate, should I let them out"
This just means we have some work to do, not that we should give up on a valuable tool. Your dog is barking for a number of reasons. Firstly let's check all the basic needs, have we given them the opportunity to go outside before going in the crate? Is there clean water in their crate? Is there a comfortable bed? Is there a chew toy they have enough value in? Is the room too hot or cold?
If they are still barking we need to reward them for being quiet in their bed by marking silence with a treat or vocal praise, while being completely neutral or walking away when they bark. If after a few minutes they are still being vocal with no breaks to pause, we need to take action. We cant just let them bark. It will eventually become self rewarding and they will bark just because they enjoy it. This is where a short sharp vocal correction is needed, just enough to stop them barking to listen to us, and as soon as they stop barking we reward them.
It is very important not to start by vocally correcting them- check their needs first.
"How long should I leave my dog in a crate for?"
When starting to get your dog used to a crate, do the above activities for one or two minutes at a time first and then build up the duration. In general we don't recommend leaving your dog in a crate for more than 1-2 hours regularly, 4hours on occasion and 8hours in an emergency. For puppies, the rule is one hour per month of their age, plus one hour. For example, a 4 month old puppy could be left for 5 hours at most. Dogs can be crated longer for air travel but that is an exception rather than the rule.
