Crates and Crate Training
Why should a dog be crated?
When correctly and humanely used, a dog crate has many advantages for both you and your dog.
- A crate can be a place for your dog to escape for a quiet moment or a nap.
- The crate is a great dog management tool when you are introducing a new dog to other dogs in the household.
- You can enjoy complete piece of mind when leaving your dog in the house alone, knowing that nothing can be soiled or destroyed and the dog is comfortable, protected and not developing any bad habits.
- You can housebreak your dog much quicker by using the close confinement to encourage control of its bladder, establishing a regular routine for outdoor elimination, and to prevent 'accidents' at night or when left alone, since the dog will avoid soiling its 'den' if at all possible.
- You can effectively confine your dog at times when it might be underfoot (meals, for instance), unwelcome (workmen), or ill.
- You can travel with your dog without risk of distraction to the driver or flying through a window because of sudden stops or accidents. It also minimizes the possibility of the dog getting loose and lost, and with the assurance that your dog will more easily adapt to any strange surroundings as long as its familiar 'den' is along. It can retreat to it when it is tired or stressed.
- Avoid much of the fear/stress/punishment caused by your reaction to problem behavior.
- The dog is spared the frustration and isolation (basement, pen or boarding kennel) when the whole family is together or gone on a family outing.
A sample day's routine that we recommend for young puppies.
What size crate should I purchase?
Recommended Crate Size for a PWD: 36" long x 24" wide
What are the different crate types?
Drop-pin wire crates are the most reasonable in price. This crate has a drop pin wire which makes it sturdier than the fold and carry style. But they can be a pain to take apart and set back up.
Folding suitcase crates are your best option if you plan on only one crate that will be moved to different areas of the house or utilized for both the house and car. They fold up within seconds to a suitcase size that is easy to carry. Cons: they are not as sturdy (make sure they are secured when upright so they don't collapse on your dog) and they are a little more costly.
Closed crates made of plastic (such as Vari-Kennels) are very den-like. These are safe crates to use since the dog cannot get to items that may be outside the crate but still accessable (tablecloths, wall coverings, etc.). We do not recommend these as a primary crate for puppies due to the lack of a divider panel. They can be very convenient for travel as most have handles.
Collapsible fabric kennels are designed for use when the owner is present and may not contain a dog for long periods while unsupervised. These are great for use when traveling if you will be present when your dog is crated (visiting friends or relatives for example).
Some suggestions:
- Get a wire crate that comes with a moveable divider panel so you can change the size of the crate as the puppy grows. This helps to discourage your puppy from soiling his create. You could also use boxes to take up more room, but cardboard and plastic boxes are easily destroyed and can be great entertainment for a young, bored puppy. Thus we do not recommend that method.
- Get a 2-door crate. They have an end door and a side door, which gives you more placement flexibility. There are also 3-door crates.
- You may also wish to consider crates that utilize an old-style door that doesn't swing open like a door... instead it folds up to the top of the crate inside. Not only does this eliminate space needed for opening the door, but there is no way the dog can open the door himself. (There is also a 2-door option.)
What is the best resource for crate and exercise pens?
Online providers of pet supplies (several of which can be found on our Links page) generally have the best variety and prices. Of course the fastest is a PetSmart or PetCo, but they are not necessarily the cheapest. We've heard that you can take a catalog into one of the stores and they will match the price, but we've never tried it.
For what length of time can my puppy be crated without having to be let out for a potty break and exercise?
- 2-4 months old: 2-3 hours
- 5-6 months old: 4 hours
- 6 months to 1 year: 5-6 hours
- 1 year to adult: maximum 8 hours
Bottom line, if you work, you MUST be able to come home to relieve your puppy, or even adult dog... OR you must employ a dog sitter, ask a neighbor to help, or take the puppy to daycare, etc.
Will my dog want to be in his crate?
That depends on the dog, how much time he spends in the crate, and how you habituate him/her to the crate. Most dogs like a den in which they can sleep and feel safe. Their association with being crated will help determine how comfortable they are being crated.
Crating Suggestions
Day-time Crating:
We suggest that you start out by feeding meals or placing food treats in the crate so they associate good things with the crate right from the beginning. (This practice should be fairly quickly discontinued.)
In the very beginning of crate training, you should only leave the puppy alone in a crate for short periods (15 minutes) and provide him with a hollow bone (natural bones that have been sterilized) filled with cream cheese or peanut butter, or a kong with treats stuffed in it - something that will keep him occupied for at least 5 minutes. Studies have proven that anxiety levels of dogs left alone are worse the first 5 minutes, so if you can keep them occupied during that time, they will generally settle down much easier.
Gradually work up to longer periods of time being left alone in the crate. See a sample day's routine for young puppies.
We suggest NOT making a big deal out of leaving, like saying bye-bye and cooing over them before you leave. Don't speak much to them before you leave... or when you come home. Take a few minutes doing other things when you first get home, so your arrival isn't such a fanfare.
Bottom line, you should associate as many good things happening with the crate as possible.
Night-time Crating:
We recommend that your puppy always sleep in his crate at night. This is especially important when the puppy is being potty trained.
If your new puppy whines in the night, wait a few minutes and see whether he will settle back down. If he continues whining, get up and take him outside to do his business (no playing allowed!), and then return him to his crate.