The puppy crate

The best invention since sliced bread!

Many people view the use of crates as being cruel and in-humane.   This is because often people treat their pets as an extension of their human family and the thought of ‘putting them in a cage’ is too much to cope with.   Would not leaving a dog unsupervised and left to wander, where he may, destroy property and possibly injure himself be far more inhumane than confinement?

Like all training tools, a crate must be used in the correct way as with any product it is open to misuse.  

The crate must be large enough for your dog, and you must ensure you dog gets ample opportunity to relieve himself before you confine him as well as sufficient play, food, attention and exercise.   Never use a crate in the day for more than 4 hours at any one time.

Here are some of the advantages for using a crate:

A safe haven

As dogs are naturally denning animals.  They will often seek small, dark areas to sleep, this is especially true in times of insecurity.  

An indoor kennel or crate will provide a safe haven for your dog, helping him feel more secure and happier to be left alone.   It may be a cage to you, but to your dog it’s a home!

Toilet training

With the use of a crate, toilet training is made easy.   Because your puppy will be less inclined to relieve himself in the crate he will learn to control himself quicker and you get the opportunity to let your puppy straight out to the garden and be there to reward him just when he needs to ‘go’.

Car journeys

Car journeys will be safer for both you and your dog.   A crate provides excellent restraint in the car. It is now a legal requirement to have your dog properly secured when traveling in the car.

When visitors arrive

Keep your dog safe in his crate when visitors such as nervous children or workmen call round.

When you leave your dog alone

When you dog’s alone you will feel much happier knowing that you house is safe from chewing and that your dog will feel happier until you return.

Introducing your puppy to a crate

The introduction of the crate will be the key to your success. Size matters!   You dog should be able to stand up without hitting his head and be able to turn around and stretch without a struggle.   Remember puppies grow, so keep this in mind when you purchase your crate.   Some makes come with a divider panel so you have the option of enlarging the crate as the puppy grows.   Your puppy should

As dogs are highly social animals, it is best to place the crate in a room where there is lots of family activity rather than in an isolated area of the house.

The crate should be left up with the door open so your dog is able to enter and investigate his new home.   Encourage him to want to go in by rewarding him with tasty food treats and toys for entering the crate.  

Once he is quite comfortable going inside, you can start to close the door for just a few seconds at a time.  

If he dislikes the door being closed, it is essential that you allow him to settle and be quiet BEFORE you open the door so he doesn’t learn how to make you open the door on demand.   Some puppies will make a small amount of fuss in which case just ignore their antics until they settle down, then open the door when they have been quiet for a while.   This will teach your puppy that being quiet, gained the reward.

Some pups may panic at being confined in which case you will need to open the door as soon as there is a break in the noise and go back a stage before you shut the door again, then gradually increase the amount of time you leave your puppy confined in the crate at a pace he can cope with.  

Never leave your puppy in shut in the crate for longer than he can control himself, or it may be forced to mess in the crate.  

You can gave him a special chew toy which he only gets for going in his crate, to help encourage him to view the crate as a rewarding place and to help take his mind off of being shut in to start with.

A DAP diffuser can often be very useful in helping to introduce your puppy to his new home.   This diffuser produces a specific airborne hormone (called a ‘pheromone’) which can help to have a calming effect on dogs and puppies.   For further details speak to the Waggy Tails team.

Once you dog is used to his new home, with the exception of night time, he should only be left in his new home for a maximum of four hours during the day and should always have water available.

Dog crates should not be used for punishment.   If you tell your dog off and send him to his crate, it will no longer be perceived as a safe haven and will be viewed as a negative place.

Introducing an older dog to a crate

The introduction process for an older dog is more or less the same except you may need to remain at each stage for longer and apply your crate training when you are most likely to succeed initially.  

With older dogs and puppies, some people find it easier to start by introducing the crate for evening use initially, then extending its use to during the day.   This often helps older dogs adjust more comfortably, as if the crate contains their bed and is placed where the dog usually sleeps, the transition in some cases can be smoother.

Remember, some rescue or senior dogs will not take to a crate due to their past experiences.   Continued anxiety when placed in the crate may indicate behavioural problems in which case you will need to seek further advice.