Crate Selection
There are many different types of crates available – hard plastic or wooden crates, metal crates, soft crates, collapsible or foldable crates, sturdy crates, mobile crates, etc. With all the options available, it can be difficult to decide which crate is right for your puppy.
When choosing a dog crate, ask yourself:
-
How big is my puppy expected to be?
-
What are wooden boxes used for?
-
Are you planning on traveling with it?
-
Is my puppy a bad chewer?
-
What is my puppy’s temperament like?
-
How much can you afford to pay?
-
Want your wooden boxes to match your home décor?
One of the most important things to consider is the size of the crate. It needs to be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. This means that when choosing a crate for your puppy, you need to predict how big he’ll be (to avoid having to upgrade as he grows). If you’re unsure, your vet can give you a safe estimate of what your puppy’s adult size will be.
However, a cage that is too big for a puppy has its drawbacks: if the cage is too big, the dog can lie down far from the cage, which can lead to soiling the cage. Wooden box dividersThis allows you to adjust the amount of space your puppy has access to as he grows.
Other important features that make a good crate include:
-
Sturdy: While most dogs are perfectly happy in their crate, some become stressed and may try to chew. A sturdy crate helps prevent biting and the damage that chewing can cause.
-
Multiple Entrances: This allows easy access to the crate for both the pet and the pet owner.
-
Easy to clean: Crates can get dirty quickly, especially when you’re training your puppy. Metal or plastic crates tend to be easier to clean than cloth crates.
-
Rounded corners: It is best to choose a dog crate with rounded corners as sharp corners can injure you or your puppy.
-
Transportable: Ideally, the crate should be small enough to be portable and have wheels to roll it on, or be collapsible so that it can be easily transported to another location.
How to Crate Train a Puppy
Crate training can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your dog’s age, temperament, and previous experience. The most important thing about crate training a puppy is to always use the crate as a positive place, and never as a form of punishment.
1. Make the crate safe and comfortable
To make the crate feel cozy and safe, place it in a place where your family spends the most time, such as the family room. Soft blanket or Dog beds While some dogs prefer to sleep on hard surfaces, your dog will likely feel more comfortable if they sleep indoors.
It helps to leave the door open so your dog is free to explore – some dogs may soon start sleeping in their crate naturally.
2. Crate your dog
If your puppy doesn’t naturally go in the crate, lead him to it and speak to him in a positive, encouraging voice. Leave the crate door open to avoid accidentally hitting and frightening your puppy. Placing small treats near or just inside the crate door can also encourage your puppy to explore the area. If your puppy is initially hesitant to go inside, don’t force him. It’s important that your puppy never feels forced to use the crate.
As your puppy becomes more comfortable near the crate, gradually place the treat further in until he goes all the way in. Repeat this positive reinforcement with treats until your puppy is comfortable going in and out of the crate. Or, if your puppy isn’t food motivated, Her Favorite Toy As positive reinforcement.
Getting your puppy used to a crate can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, so it’s important to be patient and patient while your puppy gets used to the crate.
3. Feeding your puppy in its crate
Once your dog is comfortable in the new location, start feeding him regularly near or in the crate, so that he develops a positive impression of the crate.
If your puppy seems comfortable in the crate, you can place the food dish at the very back of the crate (farthest from the door), but if your puppy is still hesitant to go in, only place the food at a comfortable distance for your puppy to enter the crate, then push the food further and further into the crate each time you feed him.
4. Close the door
Once your puppy is used to standing in the crate, try closing the door while he eats. The first time you do this, open the crate door as soon as your puppy has finished eating.
Gradually increase the amount of time you keep the cage door closed, starting with one minute and working your way up to about 10 minutes after the meal. If your puppy starts crying while locked in the cage, you may have increased the time too quickly and should reduce it again for the next few meals.
5. Leaving your puppy alone
Once your dog has become accustomed to the crate and is eating his meals there regularly, try confining him to the crate for short periods of time while you’re at home.
First, use a treat to lure your puppy into the crate, then give him a cue like “crate” or “house.” Once your puppy is in the crate, praise him, give him a treat, and close the door.
Then sit quietly near the crate for a few minutes before going into another room. When you return, sit quietly near the crate for another minute or two before letting your puppy outside. Repeat this process, gradually increasing the amount of time you leave your puppy alone.
6. Crate your dog when you go out
Once your puppy is able to relax quietly in his crate for about 30 minutes, you can leave him alone in the crate when you will be away for a short time.
To do this, put your dog in the crate (using your chosen command and treat). Try to time crate entry while your dog is “getting ready to leave” to avoid causing separation anxiety. Anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes before you plan to leave is fine, but try to keep the time frame short.
The goal is to make it seem like it’s no big deal to your puppy to be out of his crate – a brief praise and treat for entering the crate will suffice, and then you should calmly leave the crate.
This may be difficult, but if your puppy seems excited when you get home, it’s important not to get too excited. Being as calm as possible when you get home will help your puppy feel less anxious about your arrival time and prevent separation anxiety.
Once your puppy is fully crate trained, it’s important to keep him in the crate occasionally when you’re home so he doesn’t constantly associate the crate with you being away.
7. Cage your dog at night
Once your puppy has gotten used to the crate, you can leave him in it overnight. It’s important to remember that puppies often need to go to the toilet during the night and will let you know by crying, so it’s a good idea to keep the crate in your bedroom at night so you can hear him cry. Puppies sometimes cry when they are put in their crate, but these cries are often associated with anxiety and crying in the middle of the night is a sign that they need to go to the toilet.
Having a crate in your bedroom can be helpful for puppies as it allows them to smell you and feel less lonely, and it can also be helpful for older dogs who are being crate trained.
Once your puppy is used to staying in his crate overnight, you can gradually start moving him to his preferred spot in the house.
