Crates are often used to shelter dogs and to transport them to the vet. What others do not know is that crates can become the perfect haven for dogs. It can provide them comfort and a sense of security during times when they are stressed, feeling lonely, or just a place that is totally their territory. A dog in the wild gets shelter by having a den of his own. Short of digging a place in your backyard, a crate can provide the same sense of security effectively.
When you buy a crate, make sure that it allows your dog to fit inside perfectly without cramping him. A dog must be able to walk inside without having to stoop too low to gain access. He must also not position himself awkwardly just to keep himself inside. A perfect crate will also have a removable top as this will be help your dog to get use staying inside the crate.
Once you have purchased the crate for your dog, place it in an area where your dog usually spends his time in the house. Open the door and do not start crate training right away. Let him investigate the crate to his leisure so he will get the feel of it. Whenever he is near, tell him what the crate is for and have it come across that the crate is safe.
After a couple of days, place a toy inside the crate leaving the door open and see how he reacts. If your dog is proving to be skittish and wish nothing to do with the crate, remove the top and see for a couple of days how he would react. Always make sure that the door of the crate is still open. Then start feeding him inside the crate.
At first, do not put the food way too far inside the crate. Just a little beyond the crate opening will be enough. Stay with him while he eats and praise him afterwards. Slowly put his dog dish deeper inside daily until it reaches inside the crate. Before you reach the middle part, put back the top and see how it goes.
If he’s anxious, move a little further back and see if you can inch the dog dish a little deeper the next day. With each passing day, move the dog dish deeper and deeper until it reaches the end.
If your dog is comfortable eating inside the crate, close the door without leaving him. The moment he’s finished, pull open the door and let him out. Praise him for being a good dog, and give him a treat. After a couple of days, close the door for 5 minutes and then let him out.
If he starts to become agitated, let him out before he starts to whine. Gradually increase the amount of time he spends inside the crate everyday, making sure that you always stay with your dog as you do so. Once he gets used to being in the crate for certain duration of time, start leaving him alone for a couple of minutes, and then come back. Do not open the crate yet. Praise him for waiting and let him out after a while.
Every time your dog goes in the crate give him an associative command like “In crate” or “go inside your crate.” Once your dog is comfortable being left inside the crate with the door locked, see if he will follow your command without using any treat or food. You can then start leaving your dog for several minutes alone inside the house by going outside for a while, gradually increasing the number of minutes each day.
Do bear in mind that crates are not intended to be used as a form of punishment. Only close the door when it is necessary, keeping it open for your dog to come in and go as he please. Once your dog is inside the crate, no one in the family must disturb him – this is his place to relax and unwind.
