Crate Training

A Pet Owner's Guide to the Dog Crate

What is a dog crate?

A dog crate is a rectangular enclosure with a top and a door, made in a variety of sizes, proportioned to fit any size of dog. Constructed of wire or molded plastic, its purpose is to provide a safe haven or den for your dog to call his or her own. Crating will also provide security, safety, house training assistance, travel assistance and a cozy bed for nighttime.
Why a crate?

The goal of a crate or kennel is to assist with training, not to take the place of training. As humans we value our freedom and of course feel that a dog must be the same. However given a choice when left alone most dogs will find a den or hiding spot and fall asleep until we return. Dogs live for their owners not sunshine, fresh air and freedom. Crating your dog as a puppy and to assist with training as well as keeping your dog in indoors when no one is around to supervise it is one of the most important and caring things you can do for your four footed friend.
It's a dog's world!

Dogs choose, in the wild, to live in packs and use self-made dens for housing. If your dog could talk, it would tell you that it has a natural instinct to "den" inherited from it's ancestor, the wolf. A dog with a den is much happier, has fewer behavior issues, and is more confident with the control that a structured environment provides. Dogs would much rather be prevented from causing trouble, than be punished for it later.
How not to use a Crate!

Crating is a temporary tool used for puppies for housetraining and to prevent destructive behavior. The goal is to gradually reduce the puppies' need for the crate until it can safely be left alone in the home without it. In the case of the adult dog with a behavior problem, the goal is also to gradually reduce your need for the crate. Using it only as a tool to prevent the problem while in training.

It is not recommended for a dog regularly left alone all day and the maximum amount of time any adult dog should spend in a crate safely is about 6 hours. If crated for 6 hours the dog must be well exercised both before and after crating, given lots of personal attention, and not crated at night. It is also most important that the crate be large enough to permit him or her to comfortably stretch out on its side and have ample freedom of movement.

Crating a dog for an entire workday or longer (8 plus hours) is not acceptable. Dogs do require more sleep than the average human (about 15 hours a day) but no dog can be expected to live his or her life crated. Crate or crate, any dog constantly denied the human companionship it needs and craves is going to be a lonely pet - and will find alternate ways to express boredom, anxiety, stress and depression.

Be sure to use only flat buckle or quick release collars when your dog or pup is being crated. Chock chains can become caught and cause severe injury or death.

What kind of crate should I use?

Remember the crate is a den and is used by a dog as a home base, safe haven and even a place to hide and sleep when alone, frightened or stressed. A wire mesh cage does not provide a den atmosphere, but can be easier to fold up and transport or put away. Simply covering a portion of the wire mesh crate or kennel will better provide a hiding space. A plastic airline crate is great for re-creating a hiding spot or den. The door is removable and most models are easy to break down. However it may be easier to chew.

What size should a crate be?

A crate should always be large enough to permit any size dog to stretch out flat on its side without being cramped and to sit up without hitting its head on the top. While the adult size of a purebred puppy is fairly easy to predict, that of a mixed breed must be estimated based on general breed/body type and puppy size at a given age. It is always better to use a crate a little too large than one a little too small.
For a fully grown adult dog, measure the distance from tip of nose to base (not tip) of tail and use a crate close to, but not less than, this length. The height and width of most crates are properly proportioned to the length, including the convenient "slant-front" models designed to fit station wagons and hatchbacks.

For a puppy, measure as above, than add about 12" for anticipated rapid growth. Reduce the extra space of a too large crate with a reversed carton or a moveable/removable partition made of wire, wood or a rolled up blanket. Remember that a crate too large for a young puppy defeats its purpose of providing security and promoting bowel control, so its space should always be limited in the beginning.

Where can I get one?

New crates can be purchased at the NHSPCA, pet shops and pet food/supplies outlets. Prices depend on size, quality, and make. The NHSPCA often has used crates for sale as well.
For information on crates available at the NHSPCA's call 603-772-2921 Ext. 110

Where should I put it?

When using a crate to confine a dog during training, it is important to avoid making him feel isolated or banished. Place the crate in, or as close as possible to, a "people" area-kitchen, family room, etc. Be sure to select a spot free from drafts and not too near a direct heat source. The top of the crate, when covered with a piece of plywood can also serve as a handy extra shelf or table space. Admittedly, a dog crate is not a "thing of beauty"-but it can be forgiven for not being a welcome addition to the household decor as it proves how much it can help the dog to remain a welcome addition.

Crating the Puppy

A young puppy (8-16 weeks) should normally have no problem accepting a crate as his "own place." Any complaining s/he might do at first is caused not by the crate, but by his learning to accept the controls of his unfamiliar new environment. Actually, the crate will help your puppy adapt more easily and quickly.

Make it very clear to children that the crate is NOT a playhouse for them, but a "special room" for the puppy, whose rights should be recognized and respected. However, you should accustom the puppy from the start to letting you reach into the crate at any time, lest he becomes overprotective of it.

Short Term Confinement

Puppies cannot be expected to "hold it" for an entire workday. Keep in mind that you are providing a den, house training and keeping your puppy safe while it is alone. A good rule of thumb to assist you is to remember your puppies age (in months) and associate that with the number of hours your pup can "hold it."
3 months of age = 3 hours

Confining your puppy in its crate for short periods (up to 1 hour). As stated above you should be sure the environment is within the normal living spaced of your home, and free from drafts or direct heat sources. Provide a blanket, toys and a treat. Put your puppy in the crate last thing, just be fore you leave. Don't make him/her wait in the crate while you get ready and walk around the home. Be sure to avoid long good byes and excited play just before you leave. Toss in a treat and a toy, shut the door and leave.

Long Term Confinement

For periods longer than an hour you will need to provide a place for your puppy to eliminate. Surround the crate with an exercise pen (playpen with no floor, for dogs) and leave the door of the crate open. This will give your puppy the option of EXITING the crate into a controlled space and eliminating on paper. It is very important to let your puppy know that eliminating in the crate is not an option and it is important for us to know that puppies cannot "hold it" for long periods.

Crating the adult dog

Much of the typical problem behavior of an older puppy (over 6 months) or an adult dog is caused by feelings of insecurity when left alone. Although a crate can help with this need, it must be introduced gradually, with every effort being made to be sure it is a positive and pleasant experience. Remember that a dog crate is NOT intended for long hours of usage for the convenience of an absent owner.

How to use it.

Place the crate in a location where the dog will definitely feel part of the human family (though still has some privacy), leave the door open and place a blanket and a toy inside. Encourage the dog to investigate by luring him inside. Treats such as cheese or hotdogs can be tossed into the far end. Be sure to praise enthusiastically.

Continue this pattern for several days, encouraging your dog to enter the crate, shut the door for a few minutes at a time (while people are visible or audible nearby). Do not fuss or apologize while the dog is in the crate, simply offer treats through the door and praise. Be patience and refrain from comforting words or apologies. If your dog remains quiet, reward him / her by tossing a treat in the crate. GOOD DOG!

As soon as you feel confident that the dog will remain quietly in the closed crate (which could be from the beginning!), you may safely leave him alone. Give your dog a chew toy or a safe bone to keep its attention and be sure that you remove the collar, which might become caught.
Leave for only a brief period (15 minutes to ½ hour). Once your dog has accepted the crate as his/her own "special place" your pet can stop being a problem and start being a pleasure. Over time it will be possible to "wean" your dog off the crate gradually without resuming any problem behavior.

Does the crate always work?

Unfortunately no. Although a crate can indeed be used successfully by most pet owners, Some dogs cannot or will not tolerate confinement. This reaction is not nearly as common with a young puppy (but it does happen) as with an adult dog if adopted with little or no known background. A dog which may somehow have suffered a traumatic and frightening experience while crated, or an un-adoptable "senior citizen").

If, despite every effort, a dog is obviously frantic or totally miserable when confined to a crate, then you must consider that to use one is indeed inhumane and can result in physical and emotional injury. Even though a crate may not always work, it is always worth a try!

If you are having problems crate training call the NHSPCA for assistance 603-772-2921 Ext. 112
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Reproduced and edited from: Nick Meyer education effort Inc., 31 Davis Hill Road, Weston, CT 06883

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