Crate training isn’t just for potty training puppies. It is also important for adult dogs to be comfortable in a crate. A dog may need to be in a crate to be transported or to travel. A dog may have to be crated at the vet, groomers, daycare or a boarding facility. If your dog has surgery, they may need to be kept on crate rest for a period of time. A crate is also great for keeping your dog safe when you aren’t home or can’t be supervising them. However, it is important our dogs are trained to use a crate before we put them in one. We do not want a dog to panic or hurt themselves when left alone in a crate.

Some dogs take to a crate easily, while others need careful desensitization. If your dog becomes stressed and upset in their crate, fear not! There are things you can do to help them relax and build a positive association with their crate.

RULES OF THE CRATE:

Before we use the crate, we need to make some ground rules.

1. ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MET ALL YOUR DOGS NEEDS BEFORE CONFINING THEM

Before we can put our dog in a crate we need to make sure we have met their physical, mental, and emotional needs. If we put a stressed, hungry, bored, or under exercised dog in a crate, we are asking for trouble. The behavior we want to see in the crate is resting and relaxing, so it is vital that we do all we can to set our dogs up for that state of mind. Before crating your dog, consider the following:

• NUTRITION: Is your dog getting the right amount of food and fulfilling their nutrient requirements? Work with your vet to determine what diet is right for your dog!
• PHYSICAL EXERCISE: Before you confine your dog it is important to make sure they have had appropriate exercise. Each dog will have different exercise needs based on their age, breed, and physical condition. Check out this resource with more tips and advice on physical exercise for dogs. Make sure to discuss with your vet if your dog has any existing medical conditions that may affect their ability to exercise.
• ENRICHMENT AND MENTAL STIMULATION: Dogs are intelligent and emotional animals. Just like us, they need the opportunity to engage in challenging, interesting, and mentally stimulation activities every single day. It is essential that we do more than just take our dogs out for a leash walk to potty. Daily enrichment is a cornerstone of canine wellness, and can greatly improve your dogs ability to relax when confined. Check out this resource on canine enrichment.

2. NEVER USE THE CRATE AS PUNISHMENT

• For our dogs to be able to relax in a crate, they need to maintain a positive association with it. If we ever use the crate as punishment, we are putting ourselves 3 steps backwards in our crate training. Going into the crate should only ever predict good things for our dogs.

3. ALWAYS PUT DOG’S SAFETY FIRST

• For some dogs, a crate is not a safe option for confinement. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, it can be tempting to try and crate them to mitigate some of the common behaviors associated with separation anxiety (i.e. inappropriate urination/defecation, redirection on other household pets, destructive chewing, etc). However, a dog that is stressed out can easily hurt themselves when confined to a crate. Even dogs without separation anxiety may become stressed when confined to a crate, and this can lead to serious injury. Before ever putting your dog in a crate, consider if it is safe to do so. Never leave the dog in the crate with something that could cause injury. Always supervise a dog in the crate with any new toys or chews, bedding, or other objects before leaving them alone with such. Remove all harnesses and collars before putting dog in crate, as an anxious dog may chew these or they may become caught on something inside the crate. Check out this resource on what to put and what not to put in your dogs crate.

4. NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CRATE FOR MORE THAN 4-6 HOURS AT A TIME

• Some dogs may seem fine with being left home alone for 10-12 hours while we are at work, but it is not really safe or healthy for them to be doing so on a regular basis. While adult dogs may be able to hold their bladder for more than 6 hours, it’s not ideal. Ideally, your dog should be able to relieve themselves between 3-6 times a day. Puppies and senior dogs will often have to go out more often than this. If your dog has to be home for more than 6 hours at a time, you will need to look into options for getting them outside and out of confinement during that time.
  
  

CHOOSING A CRATE

Choosing the right crate for your dog is essential. Here are some aspects to consider when choosing a crate.

SIZING

It is critical to have the right sized crate for your dog. A correctly sized crate will allow the dog to stand upright without having the duck their head, allow them to easily turn around inside, and to lay on their side with limbs stretched straight out.
Here is how to size your dog

1. LENGTH: Measure the length of your dog from tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. You can do this with your dog standing upright or laying flat on their side. Add 2-4 inches to this measurement, and that is the length of the crate you need.
2. WIDTH: Next, measure the dog from the top of the head to their toes. Again, you can do this with your dog standing up. Take this measurement and add 2-4 inches, and that is the width.
3. HEIGHT: For height, take that same measurement from the top of the head to the toes and add 2-4 inches. If your dog as erect ears, measure to the tip of the ears instead of the top of the head. If you plan on adding thicker bedding, add 4 inches to the height.

*NOTE ON PUPPIES*
Many types of crates can be size down using a divider. If you have an idea of what size your puppy will likely grow to, save yourself some money and buy an adult sized crate and use a divide to shorten it to the appropriate size as they grow. To estimate your puppies expected adult size, talk to your breeder and or/vet.

TYPE OF CRATES

There are many different types of crates ranging from the traditional wire crates to more heavy duty crates made from metal. Each have their pros and cons and it is important to consider all your options before choosing a crate.

WIRE CRATES
This is one of the most common types of crates. They are easy to find, affordable, and meet most dog’s needs. There are many brands to choose from. I suggest looking for one with plastic flooring that can pull out. Makes cleaning much easier!

PROS

• Well ventilated
• Easy to clean
• Often fold up for easy transport or storage

CONS

• Can be heavy as they get bigger
• Can be easy for some dogs to escape
• Not the strongest option

PLASTIC CRATES
Plastic crates are another common option, specially for small dogs as they often double as a carrier. They usually come in multiple pieces that can are either screwed or snapped together. Being able to remove the top can also help with training a nervous dog to enter a crate!

PROS

• Lighter than wire or metal crates, but still durable.
• Best for travel
• More privacy for dog
• Easy to clean

CONS

• Tend to have less ventilation
• Doesn’t fold flat for storage
• Plastic can absorb smell over time

SOFT-SIDED CRATES
These crates are usually made from canvas or nylon material that is water resistant, with mess windows or doors. The are great for travel. However, they can get a bit expensive for the larger sizes.

PROS

• Lightweight and easy to set up
• Great for travel

CONS

• Not very durable
• Harder to clean
• May not have divider options for sizing down crate

HEAVY DUTY CRATES
There are now many heavy duty crate options on the market. These can be good for strong dogs or chewers. Some are even crash tested and can be used in the car for safety. These are a crate option if you travel in the car with your dog often.

PROS

• Very strong
• Difficult to escape
• Great for safety during car travel

CONS

• Very heavy
• Expensive

FASHION/FURNITURE CRATES
If you looks on the internet you can find lots of crates that are masked to look like normal furniture in your house. Some people prefer this to the look of a traditional crate.

PROS

• Can save space by doubling as furniture (i.e. bedside table or end table).
• More attractive looking

CONS

• Expensive
• Can be hard to clean
• May not be as strong as other options
• Dog may chew on wood pieces
• Limited size options
  
  

SETTING UP YOUR CRATE

LOCATION: The location of the crate is key. To promote relaxation, choose a low traffic area that is:

• • quiet and cozy
  • away from windows or doors
  • away from heating or
  • cooling vents
  • not near any noisy appliances or devices. For instance, if you have a home security system, don’t place the crate near the keypad, which may chirp when you enter the home
  • Close to items that could be chewed through the crate (i.e. cords, wood furniture, outlets, houseplants, etc)

COMFORT: Once you have made sure you have a satiated pup (see above), you can do a few extra things to ensure your dog is comfortable in the crate.

Bedding: There should always be some sort of padding in the crate to help your dog lay down comfortably. You may need to purchase something stronger that is “chew proof” or you may be able to just use a folded up blanket. If you use anything with stuffing, be sure your dog is not chewing it when you are not home. For puppies, consider how easy it is to wash a bedding item before putting it in the crate with your dog. Many beds and dog pads have removable covers for easy washing.

Covers: For crates that have more open sides, consider covering it to help limit visual stimulation and to add privacy for your dog. You can drape a blanket over the top of the crate, or purchase a cover. Be careful, as some dogs may chew anything covering the crate.

Toys: A few toys can help keep your dog busy while you are away. ALWAYS supervise your dog with any new toy before leaving them alone with it. Make sure it does not have easily removable small pieces that could be swallowed. Safe options for most dogs include rubber toys such as a kong bone or westpaws frisbee.

Enrichment: A little enrichment in the crate can go a long way towards making the crate more enjoyable for your dog. A frozen kong with food, a puzzle feeder, or even a snufflemat can help give your dog something to do. Again, always supervise a dog first before allowing them to be alone with any toy.
Sound: Consider playing soft calming music for your dog while they are in the crate. You may want to avoid the radio, Pandora, or Spotify, which can occasionally have commercials that are louder or include alarming noises that may disturb your dog. A white noise machine, personal playlist, or even a CD can be a good option.