Crate Training Your Dog: A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide

Why Crate Training Is Important

Crate training your dog should begin when he is a puppy, or at least when you first get him, and continue throughout your pet’s life. By making his crate kennel as much a part of his secure and familiar environment as possible you allow him to be comfortable and relaxed around it and neither of you will ever have to endure the horrors of an unhappy crated dog!

Introducing the Crate Early

If you are ever going to have to put your dog in a crate for reasons of travel or housing then the kindest thing to do is to introduce your pet to the idea as early as possible.

The Right Way to Start

That doesn’t mean pushing him in a crate to get him used to the idea! What it means is that you find an appropriately sized crate for your animal, and you put it with him in his room. When you first do this it is a good idea to place a treat inside the crate, put the crate on the floor and leave its door open so your dog can investigate it and enjoy the treat.

Creating Positive Associations

By taking such a casual approach you don’t even have to instruct your pet to go into the crate or teach him anything at all; you merely buy the crate and place it on the floor of his room and let him get used to it being a part of his landscape. It is a good idea to occasionally put treats in the crate so your pet makes positive associations with it.

Comfort and Rewards

By putting a comfortable cushion and even placing new toys in the crate your dog will understand it as a comfortable place where he will be rewarded and find enjoyment. You might even place the crate next to his bed and discover him sleeping there instead.

Closing the Crate Door Gradually

Once your dog has become entirely familiar with the carrying crate you can introduce the idea of the door being closed while he is in there.

Small Steps First

The best way to do this is to put some treats inside for him to enjoy then close the door while he eats them. The first few times this should only be done for a few minutes so he experiences no anxiety over the new situation; and remain by the crate throughout so he doesn’t feel any insecurity.

Making Crate Training Stress-Free

As with all training procedures it is all to do with taking small steps and slowly lengthening them.

Building Confidence

The first time you carry your dog whilst he is inside the case should be only a very short distance, perhaps to your chair where you will place him next to you. Always have the happiness and comfort of your dog foremost in your mind and by the time he is required to use the crate for real, he will be entirely happy with it and it will not seem unusual at all to him.

Crate training your dog should be a gradual affair at a pace which ensures the comfort of you both.

Crate Training Your Dog