Crate training

This topic seems like an easy, quick one to cover, but it is so far from quick. I HIGHLY recommend crate training, even if you don’t plan on using one. Your dog will likely be put into a crate at some point or another whether it’s at the Vet, groomer, in the car, boarding, daycare, etc. You wouldn’t want him to be scared or nervous being put into a crate for the first time at a strange place.

Now to start the exciting process of crate training. I mean it when I say exciting, because I LOVE puppies. A lot of people don’t share the love and I totally understand why. Puppies can be hard! Anyway, find a treat that he likes. If he will follow your hand for his kibble then you can use that (you can use a whole meal for this session), but if not find something a little more tasty. Start out by just putting a treat at the entrance of the crate. If he takes the treat without a care in the world then you can put the next treat a little further in. If he seems hesitant to take the treat you can encourage him and lay a few treats in front of the crate to build confidence. Slowly you are going to put treats further back in the crate. Once he easily goes to the back to get the treat you can move on to the next step.

You can start adding a command at this point. Crate, bed, go to sleep, night night, banana, anything you want to use as the command is fine. If you add the command for him to go into the crate then it’s time to add the command for him to leave the crate. I use “free”, but you can use whatever you want. Say “free” right before he takes a step out of the crate. It’s also important to start developing a respect of the opening of the door. An open door, even a crate door, isn’t an invitation to rush out of it. If he tries to get out as soon as you start opening the door then gently close the door again before he can get out. Keep doing this until he is calmly waiting for his “free” command. Slowly add time between you opening the door and giving the “free” command.

Easy peasy so far right? You can do this! Now you will be working on the amount of time he stays in the crate with the door open. Once he gets to the back and takes the treat, toss another in. After he picks up one treat, throw another. Just keep doing that and slowly add time in-between him picking up a treat and you throwing one. Remember to say your crate command before he goes in and his release command before he leaves. So he eats one and you wait 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, etc. Let’s set a goal. When he is nicely waiting 15 seconds for another treat to magically appear then we can move on to the next challenge.

It’s time to shut the scary crate door. Start out doing a few repetitions of the previous exercise. Next, shut the door and lock it for 1 second. Open it and praise and reward him. Start slowly adding to the amount of time that the door is shut just like we did in-between treats previously. If he starts whining do NOT open the door until he is quiet or in-between whining. We want to reward quiet, calm behavior. If he whines often then you may be moving too fast for him. Slow down the progression a little bit. Our goal for this one is 2 minutes of quite, calm waiting with the door shut. Once that is achieved then you can move on.

This is probably the most important step. Leaving the room with the crate door shut. Do not rush this. Setting up a good foundation now will help foster and create a good habit of being calm and relaxed in the crate when you are gone. Like before, start with a few repetitions of the prior exercise. After that, shut the door and walk out of the room or out of his sight for 1 second. Immediately come back and toss a treat to him. You can toss it through the crate door without opening it. Do the same thing. If he is doing well without whining then slowly add time being out of sight. If he whines, wait out of sight until he stops. If he whines every time you leave the room then you’re moving too fast. Reduce the amount of time out of sight. You can also try opening the crate and CALMLY releasing him. Don’t make a big deal of it. This can replace the food treat as a reward, but can quickly turn against you if not done correctly.

You will also want to practice your routine of leaving the house while he is in his crate. You want him to know the whole process and be comfortable with it. So whatever you do when you leave you need to practice. Put your shoes on, grab you phone and keys, and then walk out the door. Immediately go back inside put everything down, take shoes off and go toss him a treat. Repeat. Like every other time, add time between you being gone and coming back. You should also practice starting and turning off your car so he can hear it. If your car isn’t close enough for him to hear then don’t worry about it.

Every step is important. The amount of time for the whole process varies for every dog. Some are great within a couple weeks while others struggle with it. The hard work will pay off! Spending a little time training as a puppy sets you up for many happy years with a great adult dog. Remember to have fun with your puppy, because they don’t stay like that for long!