To crate or not to crate…that is the question! While many owners believe that crate training is cruel to leave their furry friend confined in a small space for any length of time is cruel, done right, crate training is a wonderful thing! Let’s look at a few reasons why crating is a positive experience for both you and your pup.
Helps with House Training- Having the right size crate will allow pup to be in a place comfortable, yet small enough where he will probably not want to use the bathroom.
Safe Travel- knowing your pet is comfortable in a crate when you travel makes the experience better for all involved!
Leaving Pet at the Vet/Kennel- When we leave our beloved Fido’s at the vet or kennel, we all know they don’t get free reign like many do at home. Knowing they feel safe and comfortable in a crate will make them (and YOU) feel more positive about them being there.
Damage Control- When you’re not home you know your personal and household items will be safe until you return.
Times of Emergency- You know our Charleston area gets evacuated frequently during hurricane season. Time is of the essence as you leave, so knowing your pet will jump in his crate and you’re ready to roll is one less thing you need to worry about.
Creates a Safe Space- When you crate train it is important to create a positive association with it so she will have a safe haven for when she’s stressed/tired/needs a time out.
Now that we understand why crate training is so essential to your pup’s lifestyle, here are a few tips on getting started:
Pick the Right Size! The rule of thumb is to have it big enough for her to stand up, turn around and lay down. Many wire crates come with dividers to block off a portion of the crate until the she grows into it. If you have a plastic crate you can get creative and put something in there to make it smaller, such as a box. If it’s too big, puppy may use part of it as a bathroom.
Type of Crate: Many times this is preference! We tried a few with our newest pup Steve because he was hard to train and grew so fast! We started out with a hard plastic, and then got a metal play-yard and put the hard plastic in there so he had some options to walk around. Now we have a large plastic one. We like these because they’re sturdy and feel that Steve could escape through a wire one-he’s a very crafty pup! If you have an escape artist with a metal crate, you can try some zip ties before you give up on a crate you spent a lot of money on first.
Keep it Positive- You want to create positive associations in his new habitat. When you begin, start by throwing in a treat and letting him eat it and walk out. Put a bed or towel that he loves in there. Even while you’re not training, leave it open and put his favorite toys in there and let him come in and out. Favorite bones, rawhides and treats in the crate are great too. Start low and slow. Close it for a few minutes, let him come out for a bit while you praise praise praise! Keep it positive!
STAY CONSISTENT! Some pups take to the crate right away, and enjoy their own little space. Some, like Steve (have mercy!) are not so willing. In the beginning, it’s easy to give up when you’re dealing with crying and whining all night. But in our case if we let him in bed I’d have a 50 pound 6 month old puppy that snores worse than a 500 lb man-and I’d NEVER get any sleep…ever! So I begrudgingly kept with the training because in the long run it was worth it for everyone involved (husband included!). It may help to leave something with your scent on it so he feels more comfortable in it. *TIP* It is important to know that it is best not to take them out of the crate when they are crying/whining. If you do, they will associate crying with being taken out of the crate. Wait for a quiet moment when you go and get them out.
Be Patient: Keep in mind this is a learned skill. Most people crate train when you get a puppy, and they’ve just been taken away from their mama and brothers/sisters into a new home, with a new family. Some people decide crating is a good idea later on…and that’s a new thing for him to get used to as well! Just like humans don’t like change-neither do our precious furry friends!
It was a long few weeks for my husband and me as Steve acclimated to his crate. But he’s great in it now! Of course I don’t miss those long sleepless nights but that’s to be expected with a puppy learning a new skill. He’s also enjoying some more freedom around the house but he still needs a good amount of supervision.
A dog that’s crate trained doesn’t need to be crated all the time-and they shouldn’t be either! But having the crate in your back pocket when you need it is a gift!
