Crate Training Your Puppy

I wanted to share with you some of my recommendations for crate training a puppy. Many people have an aversion to using a crate with their dog because they think it's cruel to put him in a "cage." The first thing you have to wrap your head around is that dogs are den animals, and a crate for a dog is analogous to a bedroom for a human. Try searching Google images of "wolf den" and you will see that they often hang out in little dirt holes. It is safe, it is comforting, and it is their home. Instead of thinking of the crate as a cage for an animal, you can see that it is the perfect place for your dog to hang out when he needs a nap or a safe place to chill. 

So my first tip is to get a plastic crate, or one with solid walls. I don't usually put my dogs in wire crates, because they're not very den-like. They are pretty easy to break out of, as well. And once your dog learns how to jail-break their crate, you have a problem. If you do use a wire crate, put a sheet or blanket over the top and sides to partially to make it more of a den. Make sure if it is hot in your home that you do not fully cover the crate, as this could make it a bit stuffy and too warm for your dog. If you don't have central air conditioning, you may need to place a fan in front of the crate on warm days. The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up in and turn around in. For bedding you can simply use a wool or cotton blanket, something easy to wash and dry.

Now you've got your crate and bedding, but where to place the crate? I've read some articles that say you should place the crate in a busy part of your home, so your puppy doesn't get lonely or associate the crate with being alone. I think it's better to place the crate in a quiet part of the home where your puppy will not be stimulated with the goings-on of the house. With a very small puppy who will need a lot of potty breaks, I usually put the crate in my bedroom so at night I can hear when he needs to go out and we avoid having accidents in the crate. During the day, he's also in the bedroom, which is generally a quiet and peaceful place. If you can put your dog in a room where it's easy to let him outside, then that's great too. For example, put the crate in front of a sliding door, so when you open the puppy's crate he's released directly to the outdoors. This is an ideal set up for potty training.

It's time to actually use the crate! When you have a very young puppy, gently place your puppy inside his crate after he has eaten, gone to the bathroom, and had some playtime. He is ready for a nap! He may whimper or cry for a few minutes, but if he is truly tuckered out, he should settle himself shortly. If you have a very young dog, make sure you are able to let him out as soon as he wakes up since he will have to potty and we don't want him to eliminate inside the crate. Puppies grow very quickly and you will soon be able to increase the amount of time he is able to spend in his crate while also being able to hold his urine. 

Another great way to acclimate your puppy to his crate is to have a second crate in the car, and when he is ready for a nap, take him for a ride in the car inside his crate. He may complain at first, but after a few minutes will probably settle down for a snooze. Much like taking an infant for a car ride to soothe them to sleep, the movement and vibration of the car will make your young puppy very sleepy. Now he associates the crate with the soothing movement of the car, and he associates the car with being calm and relaxed inside his den! (But please, if the weather is warm, DO NOT leave your dog in the car.)

Here's a quick summary of these tips:

 

I personally recommend using Gunner Kennels because they are Houdini-proof! These work great both for teething puppies and also for dogs with separation anxiety. They are expensive but crash-tested and the safest kennel on the market for your dogs.

Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate Dog Crate

If you're not ready to invest in a Gunner Kennel, try something like this: