|
Crate Training
Is It Cruel To Crate
Train Your Dog?
NO! Remember our dog’s ancestors, coyotes, and wolves were “den
animals.” They would create a den by digging a large hole or
occupy thick brush, crevices, and caves to raise their families.
It was not uncommon for the wild dogs to use these dens year
round for protection from the weather. The den provided the
wild dogs with a sense of security. They could sleep and rest
without being attacked or harmed. These facts still apply to
our present day dog pets. Instinctually, all dogs have the same
increased security and rest by having a den or crate of their
own.
Benefits To The
Dog
Dogs from shelters or rescue organization may have unknown
backgrounds and behaviors. The crate and crate training will
protect your new pet from bad, displeasing, or dangerous
behavior during the adjustment period. When bringing home a new
dog, whether a puppy or an adult, the dog will need time to
adjust. They not only have to face a new home, but also new
rules, people, and animal friends. Depending on the specific
dog’s age, breed, or past experiences, this “adjustment time”
may vary from 14 days to 365 days. Initially, only allow your
new dog to roam free in the house under your careful
supervision. These are the first important steps in allowing
your new dog to become house-broken (not using the
bathroom in the house), house-trained (not being
destructive to your home), and secure (not being anxious,
scared, or bossy).
One example of how a crate may protect your family and pet would
be an unknown “food guarder.” Some dogs have the need or
instinct to guard their food during feeding times. If another
dog or a person approaches this dog while it’s eating, the dog
may defend its food by growling or snapping. Crate training
allows this same animal to eat safely inside its crate.
Benefits To The Owner
You can
sleep, go to work, shop, and/or school knowing that when you
return home, you won’t find your house destroyed. A new pet may
have accidents in the house, she might chew up your favorite
pair of shoes, or traumatized the cat all in the name of ‘fun’.
The crate provides an indestructible and safe home for your
pet. Many people have used a bathroom or laundry room as a
“crate” to return home to chewed holes and scratches in the
walls and doors, eaten laundry, and damaged household items
Crate
training is a great asset when you having guests over,
especially guests that are fearful of dogs. Your pet can
happily rest in his “den” while you enjoy your guests! It will
also prevent your pet from escaping as people come and go during
a party or busy time.
If your
new dog has a fear of thunderstorms, the crate will give
increased security during this time. The crate can be used as a
transportation tool. Keeping your pets crated in the vehicle
will keep your car from being damaged by your pet. It will also
protect them in case of an automobile accident.
At dinner
time your dog should be crated. This will allow the family to
cook and eat dinner without the dog being under foot, begging,
or causing other disturbances. When a dog is nearby during
meal time, it is tempting to give her table scraps. Human food
should not be given to a dog as it can lead to obesity, an upset
stomach, and bad manners!
How To Crate Train
What You’ll Need:
1)
The crate should be
large enough that the dog can walk in, turn around, lie down and
stretch out comfortably.
2)
A towel covering the
bottom of the crate. If your pet is a chewer, the towel should
be removed. A comfortable bedding material can be used if your
pet is crate trained, not destructive, and does not have
accidents in the crate.
3)
A water dish that
clips to the inside cage door. You can purchase them at most
pet supply stores. If your dog is an adult or your puppy, is
being offered water every 12 hours, being crated indoors, the
water dish is optional.
4)
A chew toy or chew
bone (large enough the dog cannot swallow). “Kong toys” are
fantastic! They are made of a thick rubber and can be “stuffed”
with treats (peanut butter, dog biscuits, or dog food) and
provide hours of chewing delight for your pet!
Introduction:
When you first introduce your dog to the crate, your pet may be
unsure and reluctant to enter. This is normal. Place the dog
in the crate, give a yummy treat, and gentle talk to your pet
for 10 minutes. Quietly allow the pet out of the crate. Ignore
your pet for 10 minutes. Repeat the “crating” routine several
times. Ideally, your pet is learning that the crate is safe.
After repeating this initial introduction, leave the room for
one – three hours. It is VERY important not to remove your dog
from the crate because of howling, crying, or scratching.
Return and release the pet when he or she is calm, hopefully
sleeping. Quietly, open the crate door, take the pet outside,
ask it to go potty, and then gently pet and reward your dog.
Some dogs are “crate trained” in 48 hours, but other dogs may
take a couple of weeks. It is recommended that you use a T.V.
or a radio playing nearby to provide companionship.
Important: If your pet is harming itself during the initial
crate training, please call your adopting agency or your
veterinarian for special instructions.
Now! Some Rules To
Follow
The first thing you do when you get up in the morning, last
thing before bed, and every 2– 8 hours in between (depending on
your pet’s age and your schedule) is take the dog outside “to go
potty”.
Whenever you place your dog in the crate, first offer the dog a
“potty break.” This may take 15 minutes during the initial
house-breaking period. Encourage your dog to use the bathroom
by taking him to the same part of the yard and saying the same
command, “Go potty!”. Remember, movement creates movement –
your dog may need a short walk or activity to get the intestines
cooperating.
Feed your dog a premium quality diet. It is best to feed dry
food only. Talk with your veterinarian about an appropriate
amount. Too much food will make house-breaking more difficult
because your dog will drink more and need to void more
frequently.
Always feed the dog in the crate. This helps the dog to
establish that this is an “ok place”. He needs to learn that it
is someplace where he can go to be left alone.
The amount of time a dog can be left alone in the crate depends
on your dog’s age. A puppy cannot be expected to stay in the
crate all day without going potty. If your dog does potty in its
crate, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, discipline the dog! Dogs do NOT like
to sleep in their own waste. If they use the bathroom in their
crate, then either you did not allow your pet the appropriate
schedule, he may have gotten scared, have an “tummy ache” or
could not hold it any longer.
Lastly, remember that crate training can be a life-long habit.
Some pets and their owner will discontinue the crate after the
pet is calm, house-broken, and house-trained. Other pets and
pet owners may use the crate during their pet’s entire life!
|
