Crate training is an invaluable tool to use with any dog, both for helping to potty-train your dog and for helping your dog avoid destructive tendencies when she's home alone. However, successful crate training doesn't just happen; you have to obey some basic rules of successful crate training to effectively utilize this tool.
Never Use a Crate as Punishment
First and foremost, if you want to be successful at crate training, never use a crate as punishment. This is the most important rule to follow. For crate training to be successful, your dog must never fear the crate. She should think of the crate as a safe haven, not a place where she goes when she's been bad. It's your job to teach your dog how to behave properly; not just punish her when she does something wrong. Make the crate a positive place to be, and you'll spend less time fighting to get your dog into it.
Teach Your Dog to Enjoy the Crate
You may need to get over your own perception of the crate as a cage to achieve this. Remember that dogs in the wild will often seek a small, concealed space to sleep for the extra security it brings. The crate serves a similar purpose.
When you first bring the crate home, leave the door open and let your dog wander in and out at her own pace. Feed your dog in the crate, so she learns to associate it with positive experiences. Give your dog treats in the crate. Let your dog rest undisturbed in the crate if she goes inside for a nap. If you're playing with your dog, toss a toy in the crate and let her retrieve it, but be sure not to slam the door shut while she's in there. Sudden, involuntary confinement will make her distrustful of you and the crate.
Never Leave Your Dog in the Crate too Long
If your dog is a puppy, anything over 8 hours is too long to be in a crate. Your puppy is physically incapable of holding her bladder that long. She will have accidents in the crate. While an adult do can endure 8 hours or more in a crate, you should be careful to ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise before and after a lengthy stay. Putting a bored dog in a crate for 10 hours a day is a recipe for behavior problems.
Be Consistent
When you're crate training a dog, never leave the dog out of the crate when you're not around unless you're absolutely certain the dog can handle it. If you're making great progress with crate training, but then leave your dog out of the crate for a few hours while you run an errand and your dog has an accident, you've suffered a minor setback. Start by testing your dog for short periods of time and gradually work your way up.
 | Crate training a dog can be an excellent way to keep a puppy (and your furniture) safe when you are away from the house or cannot monitor your dog. |
 | To raise a happy, well-adjusted dog you need to learn the art of socializing dogs correctly from puppyhood. |
 | Teaching easy dogs tricks to your best friend is a piece of cake, if you master a couple of training techniques that all the pros use. Learn clicker training and shaping, and you can teach your dog everything from "sit" to "bring me a soda from the fridge" with enough patience and perseverance. |
So you approached crate training with patience and persistence and it is still not working for you and your dog. Crate training is not for everyone and is definitely not for every dog. This does not mean that you have a "bad dog" or that there is something wrong with your dog. |
Many issues arise when people start considering crate training there new puppy. Once the puppy is crate trained it allows for him or her to be left alone safely for hours at a time. Otherwise your new family member must accompany you every where you go until they are old enough to stay home by themselves and not get into harmful things or tear up your house. |
