Rules of Crate Training

The First Rule of Crate Training  is, Don't make the Crate a Prison or a Punishment.

Your dog's crate should be his safe "den", where he feels secure and comfortable, especially when he is a new puppy in a strange home. Initially, it should be somewhere he may find a treat or a favorite toy.  It should have warm, comfortable bedding and maybe an old small garment with a familiar person's smell.

Placing of the crate is very important. It should be somewhere near the hub of family life, like the kitchen or the lounge, not stuck away in a laundry room or a basement. If the dog is stuck away on his own, not only will he feel that he's in jail but also he's in "solitary".  

There is a huge range of crates available. Getting the correct size is essential. The crate should be just big enough for the dog to stand, turn round and lie down. If the crate is too big, he may use part of the crate as a toilet area and lie and sleep in the other end. Dogs do not like to soil their own den and prefer to wait until they can go outside. An important part of crate training is the encouragement of this instinct to eliminate away from the den.

Getting the right bed to fit the crate is obviously very important. Dura-Bull Dog Beds are recommended by Kennels, Boarding Services, Groomers and Veterinary Hospitals.

If the crate is for a small puppy, you may fear that he will outgrow it in a very short time - especially if he is one of the larger breeds. There are several solutions to this problem. You can buy a larger crate at the outset and block off a part, so the dog's "living area" is just the right size and expand it as he grows. Alternatively, your local pet store or training school may operate an exchange scheme, where you can trade in your crate for a larger one, possibly a used one, from another trade-in customer. Obviously, in this case, proper cleaning and sterilization of the crate is paramount.

Crates can be either metal or plastic. The wire cage gives the dog a better all-round view and may make him feel less isolated. However, if the dog or puppy is nervous, then he may feel more comfortable in a more secure, enclosed space. Plastic crates are easier to clean and are a requirement for air travel.    

View a huge selection of Dog Crates both metal and plastic and in a variety of designs - at Amazon.com

Crate training should never be used as a punishment or a prison. You may tell a naughty child, "GO TO YOUR ROOM" but this principle should never be applied to the puppy, or even an adult dog.  He should be praised when he goes into his den and given some peace and quiet when he is in there. There will be plenty of time for play and training when he comes out! 

The dog or puppy should never be left in the crate while wearing a leash or a collar. There is a real danger of injury or strangulation, especially in a wire crate.

It may be that you only intend to use the crate for house training and then sell it or trade it in. In this case, the crate can be just the right size for the puppy until he is clean about the house. Remember though, that the crate can be very useful for travelling with the dog in the car and for visits to the vet. If he has to stay at the vet's overnight, he'll be much more comfortable in his own den.  

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If at all possible, don't leave a puppy in the crate for long periods at a time. For a start, it probably means that he will have no option but to soil his bed and he will develop a fear of being in prison. Some trainers advocate never shutting the crate door if the owner is not at home but others disagree with this method. If the dog or puppy is not house-broken or if he is destructive when left alone, then it defeats the object of the crate if the dog is not confined.

On this point of leaving the puppy alone, it is not a good idea to leave a young dog alone in the house for hours at a time. If all the family is out at work or school for the whole day, you should consider very carefully whether or not you should get a puppy.

When your puppy first comes home, you may wish to bring the crate into the bedroom at night. If you do it is more likely that he will settle and sleep more soundly. As soon as he is comfortable in his new surroundings, you can wean him away from the bedroom.

Don't let the dog out of the crate when he is whining or crying. Wait until he stops, then let him out. Another area of disagreement about Crate Training is whether or not to praise the dog when he comes out of the crate. Most trainers advise against this but there is a minority of influential professionals who advocate lavish praise at this point.

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