The Crate Training Process

Crate training can take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age, temperament and past experiences. It's important to keep two things in mind while dog crates training. The dog crates should always be associated with something pleasant, and training should take place in a series of small steps - don't go too fast.

Step 1: Introducing Your Dog To The Crate

Put the dog crates in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Put a soft blanket or towel in the dog crates. Bring your dog over to the dog crates and talk to him in a happy tone of voice. Make sure the dog crate door is securely fastened opened so it won't hit your dog and frighten him.

To encourage your dog to enter the dog crates, drop some small food treats near it, then just inside the door, and finally, all the way inside the dog crates. If he refuses to go all the way in at first, that's okay - don't force him to enter. Continue tossing treats into the dog crates until your dog will walk calmly all the way into the dog crates to get the food. If he isn't interested in treats, try tossing a favorite toy in the dog crates. This step may take a few minutes or as long as several days.

Step 2: Feeding Your Dog His Meals In The Crate

After introducing your dog to the dog crates, begin feeding him his regular meals near the dog crates. This will create a pleasant association with the dog crates. If your dog is readily entering the dog crates when you begin Step 2, put the food dish all the way at the back of the dog crates. If your dog is still reluctant to enter the dog crates, put the dish only as far inside as he will readily go without becoming fearful or anxious. Each time you feed him, place the dish a little further back in the dog crates.

Once your dog is standing comfortably in the dog crates to eat his meal, you can close the door while he's eating. At first, open the door as soon as he finishes his meal. With each successive feeding, leave the door closed a few minutes longer, until he's staying in the crate for ten minutes or so after eating. If he begins to whine to be let out, you may have increased the length of time too quickly in the dog crates. Next time, try leaving him in the dog crates for a shorter time period. If he does whine or cry in the crate, it's imperative that you not let him out until he stops. Otherwise, he'll learn that the way to get out of the dog crates is to whine, so he'll keep doing it.

Step 3: Conditioning Your Dog To The Crate For Longer Time Periods

After your dog is eating his regular meals in the dog crates with no sign of fear or anxiety, you can confine him there for short time periods while you're home. Call him over to the dog crates and give him a treat. Give him a command to enter such as, "kennel up." Encourage him by pointing to the inside of the dog crates with a treat in your hand. After your dog enters the dog crates, praise him, give him the treat and close the door. Sit quietly near the dog crates for five to ten minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time, then let him out of the dog crates. Repeat this process several times a day. With each repetition, gradually increase the length of time you leave him in the dog crates and the length of time you're out of his sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in the dog crates for about 30 minutes with you out of sight the majority of the time, you can begin leaving him crated when you're gone for short time periods and/or letting him sleep there at night. This may take several days or several weeks.

Step 4: Part A - Crating Your Dog When Left Alone

After your dog is spending about 30 minutes in the dog crates without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving him crated for short periods when you leave the house. Put him in the dog crates using your regular command and a treat. You might also want to leave him with a few safe toys in the dog crates. You'll want to vary at what point in your "getting ready to leave" routine you put your dog in the dog crates. Although he shouldn't be crated for a long time before you leave, you can crate him anywhere from five to 20 minutes prior to leaving. Don't make your departures emotional and prolonged, but matter-of-fact. Praise your dog briefly, give him a treat for entering the dog crates and then leave quietly. When you return home, don't reward your dog for excited behavior by responding to him in an excited, enthusiastic way. Keep arrivals low key. Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you're home so he doesn't associate crating with being left alone.

Part B - Crating Your Dog At Night

Put your dog in the dog crates using your regular command and a treat. Initially, it may be a good idea to put the dog crates in your bedroom or nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need to go outside to eliminate during the night, and you'll want to be able to hear your puppy when he whines to be let outside. Older dogs, too, should initially be kept nearby so that crating doesn't become associated with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping comfortably through the night with his dog crates near you, you can begin to gradually move it to the location you prefer.