Crate Training 101

After yesterday's post, I came across this excellent article. When my family and I were puppy raisers for Guide Dogs for the Blind, we were required to crate train the puppies, which might be why I have no aversion to crate training these days. Here are some simple tips I've learned along the way that work for brand new puppies, as well as my rescue:

1. Don't underestimate the power of positive reinforcement

Praise your dog, and praise him a lot. I'm in the train of thought, that a dog biscuit/treat never hurt anyone. Sawyer had no idea what a crate was when I first got him, so why should I expect him to be okay with something he had no idea about? I taught him the "Go to your room" command by saying it every time he went into his crate. We would practice with dog biscuits. Every time he was in his crate and quiet, he received verbal praise. Sawyer always associates his room with a positive experience. Today, if I need him to go into his crate (i.e. I'm cleaning the house, or we have company over), I put a chew toy or a treat in there with him so he doesn't feel like he is missing out. And again, never ever use the crate as punishment.

2. Familiarize your dog with the crate

I put Sawyer's room in my living room when I first brought him home. I simply left the door open and didn't force him to enter the crate. I just put it there and acted like it wasn't a big deal. I left some of his toys in it, as well as a comfy crate mat. After leaving it out for a few hours, I called him over to the crate to sniff it, and praised him accordingly. When he went inside, I praised him again. You want to ensure your dog always has a positive experience. Eventually, when I would sit on the couch and watch TV, Sawyer would enter his "room" without any prompting. I would praise him. Slowly, but surely, it became his own little space, which he loves to this day.

3. Leave the dog in the crate for only short increments of time at first

I now this last tip isn't always possible. Many people work, and might need to leave their dog in the crate for longer periods of time. However, it's an easy thing to try on the weekends. When you are first starting out crate training, try only to leave them in there for a short period of time, so they get used to the idea that you will always come let them back out. Here's how: give your dog the "go to your room" command, reward accordingly. Leave the house or go out of the room without causing a scene (i.e. no "poor babies," and no "I feel so guilty for leaving you's"). Come back after a short period of time (I'd recommend half an hour to one hour trips at first), let the dog out and maybe let it out in the backyard for some playtime, or even a walk around the block. Repeat. Eventually, you can begin leaving your dog for longer periods of time!


On another note, I am guilty as charged (hey- Sawyer is supposed to be on a diet):

Photo courtesy

 

3 things you Need to Know About Crate Training Your Dog

It all depends on how you look at it. I've heard the argument for both sides - pro-crate, as well as anti-crate. And I get it. Now before I get into this article, I want you to know exactly where I stand on the topic of the crate. Myself and Sawyer are both very "pro-crate." I mean, how can you deny a dog his own high-rise? In all seriousness, puppydog L.O.V.E.S. his "room."

I'm going to give you three tips about crate training your dog. In case you are in need of some more, here is a great article I read about the ins and outs of crates. But first, the story behind this photo. We were getting ready to move from Austin to Houston, so packing was in full-swing. Sawyer didn't want me to forget him- or his crate, so he decided to position himself exactly where I couldn't forget him :)

Sawyer on his "high-rise"

1. Don't deflect your "crate-hate" to your dog

For all you "crate-haters" out there, you have got to stop thinking of the crate as such a negative thing. Repeat this: It is NOT a torture device. It's there to help by creating a comfortable environment for your dog. The second you feel any sort of negativity toward the crate, your dog is going to pick up on it. When used correctly, the crate can be an excellent way to make your dog feel safe and secure. Sawyer much rather prefers to sleep in the crate (with the door open), than anywhere else in the house. It's a great travel tool as well. When I know I'm going to be spending the night at a new place, I always take the crate with me, and Sawyer recognizes that he is supposed to sleep in his room. It brings a sense of normalcy to an otherwise new situation. Finally, the crate is a great tool to use if you have a ton of company over. Sawyer, for the most part, does very well with company (food stealing is another issue), but if he is overly excited- or there are young children around, which he could potentially knock over, I'll put him in his room for some quiet time, while he calms down. I'll put him in there with a chew toy or a bone, and 15 minutes later, he can be reintroduced to the situation- with a much more calm demeanor. So, please, stop the crate-hate.

2. Make it positive experience 

Sawyer in his "room"

Turn the crate into a positive experience. Personally, I don't like the word "crate." It seems so.... not fun. So, I changed the word "crate," to the word "room." Doesn't that sound so much better? Sawyer would have no idea what I was referring to if I told him to "go to his crate." But when I tell him to "go to his room," he is all about it. Make it a positive experience. I bought him a bed specifically for his room (another HomeGoods purhcase), and it made it that much more comfortable. I also put a couple of his favorite toys in there. When we were first starting out, I would give the command "go to your room," and reward with verbal praise- and a dog biscuit. Once inside his room, I would verbally reward him again, by telling him what a good boy he was being. If any barking were to happen- simply ignore the behavior- reward your dog for being quiet. It takes some time up front, of course, but the benefits you can reap from a crate-trained (or in Sawyer's case- a room-trained) dog, can be endless.

Side note: Other dogs have watched Sawyer's love affair with his room, and have taken his lead, by jumping right on in there with him. It's amazing how they pick up on each others behaviors. 

3. Don't use it as a form of punishment 
 Do NOT use their room as punishment. Never ever put your dog in his room to "lock" him up. The crate is not a jail cell. Remember? It's there to create a comfortable environment for your dog.

Using the dog's room as a form of punishment will only create confusion. The dog will have no idea why you are shoving him in his crate after he just ate the cat's food. Since we want our dogs to love their crates, we don't need to be creating any confusion.  


I'll be back tomorrow with some crate-training tips- i.e. how to get your puppydog to L.O.V.E. his room.