When do you crate a puppy

Be strong and you will make it through the first few nights. Set up a puppy's crate with a hot water bottle and a blanket that has your scent on it. This will help the puppy feel more secure and will be reminiscent of sleeping close to his canine mom and littermates. Remember, your puppy has just been taken away from his family. Everything he knows has changed and he is likely frightened and confused.

A crate can also be used as an effective and humane punishment. As long as the crate has lots of positive value built up, you can use it as an occasional time-out zone. If crate training is done properly, your pup will be conditioned to relax and settle inside the crate. Putting an unruly pup into a crate as a time-out for a few minutes teaches him to settle, and also removes all reinforcing stimulus for his "naughty" behavior.

However, if you are resorting to putting your dog in time-out multiple times per day, you risk developing a negative association with the crate.

The crate should be used in this way as a last resort, and only if redirecting to an appropriate behavior or ignoring the undesirable behavior does not work. I have fostered and raised many puppies, and can't imagine doing it without creating a positive association with the crate. Within a very short time, most of the dogs that attend our dog daycare program enter their crates easily when we ask. In addition to the value of a crate at home, having a crate-trained dog is wonderful when you are travelling, when your dog needs to go to the vet or groomer, or if you plan to compete in any dog sports.

Trained properly with positive reinforcement and patience, the crate becomes a safe place for a dog. You will find that your dog uses the crate on his own when he is tired, and enters willingly and eagerly when asked. All it takes is an investment of time and a few treats to end up with a happy dog and a happy human!

With an impressive educational background and experience that includes fostering dogs as well as training them, Sarah is particularly interested in helping puppies, newly adopted dogs, and dogs that have behavioral issues.

Sign up for our newsletters and get articles, new products, events, and exclusive deals sent directly to your inbox! Have Questions? A bonus, not a penalty Many people refuse to crate or kennel-train their dogs because they feel the confinement is cruel.

Some crates double as furniture! Puppy relaxing on a soft blanket. About the author. Post new comment Subject:. Glossary terms will be automatically marked with links to their descriptions. If there are certain phrases or sections of text that should be excluded from glossary marking and linking, use the special markup, [no-glossary] Additionally, these HTML elements will not be scanned: a, abbr, acronym, code, pre.

Each email address will be obfuscated in a human readable fashion or if JavaScript is enabled replaced with a spamproof clickable link. To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty. What to Focus on First! Smart Reinforcement.

Dog Sports Essentials. Puppy Start Right for Instructors. Build a great relationship Learn more. Sign Up for our Newsletter Sign up for our newsletters and get articles, new products, events, and exclusive deals sent directly to your inbox! Sign Up Today! Log in here. Choosing a crate: type, size, and location There are several varieties of crates available. A positive place It works best for a dog to be introduced to a crate gradually. Cue in and out When the dog is going into the crate willingly, add a cue for entering the crate.

Duration If your dog is comfortable with the door closed for a few seconds, gradually increase the time the dog is in the crate. When a little extra is needed Puppy relaxing on a soft blanket.

Time-out If crate training is done properly, your pup will be conditioned to relax and settle inside the crate. From the crate, onward I have fostered and raised many puppies, and can't imagine doing it without creating a positive association with the crate.

More information about formatting options To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty. This should be a trip with a purpose, not play time. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need to start the crate training process over again.

A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive, but he may injure himself in an attempt to escape from the crate. Separation anxiety problems can only be resolved with counter-conditioning and desensitization procedures. You may want to consult a professional animal behaviorist for help. See more information on separation anxiety. All rights reserved. Please enjoy this video from Jackson Galaxy, a well-known cat behaviorist and host of How much will it cost to care for a new animal companion?

Selecting a crate Crates will be plastic, often called flight kennels or Vari-Kennels or collapsible, metal pens. Step 1: Introducing your dog to the crate Put the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Step 2: Feeding your dog his meals in the crate After introducing your dog to the crate, begin feeding him his regular meals near the crate.

Step 4: Crating your dog Part A: Crating your dog when left alone After your dog is spending about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving him crated for short periods when you leave the house.

Put him in the crate using your regular command and a treat. You might also want to leave him with a few safe toys in the crate see how to use dogs toys. Praise your dog briefly, give him a treat for entering the crate and then leave quietly.

Keep arrivals low key. Your dog should not be left alone in the crate for more than four to five hours at a time during the day. In worse case scenarios, dogs may be required to be on crate rest when recovering from surgery. Crate training comes in handy during everyday life for dogs who might need a break from a bustling household or a familiar place to rest.

Crates help dogs learn to self soothe, or deal with their anxiety , during situations where they become distressed, like during fireworks , a thunderstorm, or construction. Dogs can retreat to their crates when situations are too chaotic or scary.

It also helps dogs confront new situations successfully, like the addition of a new baby having company over. Crates make it easier to safely transport your dog by car or by air during long-distance travel or vacations. Crate training makes long car rides more pleasant for both humans and canines. Crates allow dogs to lay down and sleep without distracting the driver. You want to avoid sedating dogs during air travel since the American Veterinary Medical Association advises that sedation can increase the risk of heart or respiratory problems.

Dogs instinctively try to keep their sleeping areas clean. As such, the crate helps puppies learn to hold and strengthen their bladder and bowel muscles, making housebreaking less of a chore for you and your dog. Crate training helps senior dogs deal with health issues by providing a restful place to rest their joints or take frequent naps , prevents nighttime wandering, and makes transporting them to vet appointments easier. Crates also create safe havens for older dogs.

They may be especially in need of this when surrounded by rambunctious children or other dogs. For rescue dogs, a crate provides a safe space to adjust to their new surroundings as well as the luxury of not having to fight for their own space. Crates provide comfort to rescue dogs, since some are fearful around certain people or environments.

This is particularly true for dogs with a traumatic past of neglect or abuse. Crates allow rescue dogs to know they have their own territory and no one will hurt them in it.

Crate training will improve their confidence and curtail problematic behavior.