Should You Crate Train Your Puppy?
Our recommendation is, YES! A crate provides many benefits to you and your puppy, including a safe place when you need to leave them alone, aids in house breaking, and can help prevent separation anxiety. In this blog we will discuss crate training your puppy.
Benefits of Crate Training
Housebreaking Tool
A crate is an essential tool for housebreaking, helping your puppy learn appropriate bathroom habits.
Safe and Secure Environment
A crate creates a safe and secure space for your puppy to relax when you leave the house. It can also provide a break from monitoring your puppy.
Introducing Crate Training
Choosing the Right Crate
We recommend an airline style crate (safest option) or a wire crate (as long as your puppy isn’t attempting to chew the wiring). Depending on the expected size of your dog, purchase a crate your pup can grow into. Then get a divider to section off the crate as they grow. If you give them too much room, they are more likely to have accidents in the crate. And we definitely don’t want that! They should have enough space to stand up, turn around, and lay down, no more.
Introduce Being Inside the Crate Slowly
Some puppies have no trouble going into the crate, while others may need a little encouragement. If your puppy has no trouble and walks right in, fantastic. If not, you can begin to encourage your puppy to go into the crate and stay by starting with treats!
Safety
Safety first! Make sure to remove all collars, tags and harnesses off your pup before leaving them in the crate. If their tag gets caught in the crate they could strangle.
Create a Positive Association with the Crate
Remember, the goal is to teach your puppy to associate the crate with things they enjoy, like food and toys! You can feed their meals in their crate or toss a treat inside, whenever they need to be crated.
Trainer Tip: Freezing a peanut butter filled Kong will keep them preoccupied longer, tire them out and encourage them to nap! If there’s a peanut allergy in the home feel free to use cheese instead.
Be Patient (and Consistent!)
It will take time for your puppy to acclimate to their new home, you’ll want to prepare for at least 6 months of training. We understand (and empathize!) that crate training can sometimes be challenging in the short term but by sticking with it, crate training can provide a plethora of benefits long term. Establishing a routine and ensuring your puppy is receiving enough exercise can help set you and your pup up for success! Remember to stay calm and consistent, you’ve got this!
We are here to help
Is crate training your puppy proving more difficult than expected? The good news is you don’t have to manage it alone. We’d love to help. Schedule a free consult today.
At Beyond the Dog, our training is built on science and strengthened by over 20 years of professional experience. Co-founded by Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and one of the nation’s top dog behavior experts, our programs are guided by her extensive research in canine behavior modification and her decades of hands-on experience. We understand that every dog (and every household) is unique, which is why our programs are fully customized to achieve your goals. Our goal is to help you see meaningful progress in the shortest time possible while building a happier relationship with your dog.
