Modar Dog Training & Behavior Consulting

Crate Training
How? By making the crate like a safe, secure den or bedroom to your
dog. You want the crate associated with positive, pleasant things. Feed
all meals in the crate for the first month or so and have some special
edible chews or food stuffed toys/frozen treats that they *only* get when
inside the crate. If they choose not to eat it in the crate, it is removed
and put away for later when the pup comes out of the crate.
Why? Because crate training speeds house training. Crated is the
safest way for dogs to ride in a vehicle. Loose dogs are projectiles in
the event of an accident. They can also escape into traffic after an
accident, when rescuers open doors to help human victims. I know
show dogs who survived roll-over accidents because they were crated.
I know uncrated dogs who suffered serious injury during an accident,
others who were hit by cars when they jumped out the open door and
one of our own dogs ran off into the woods after an accident when I was
a child!
Crating ensures your pup is safe and your home is not being destroyed
in your absence.
When? Puppies and new dogs can sleep in the crate at night, when
you can't supervise them and when you are gone. A crate is also a
portable den to take to motels, when visiting friends/relatives, and is
invaluable in the event of recovery from illness/injury/surgery!! I crate
my dogs at training classes, dog shows/trials, etc.
Where? The size of your dog and the size of your house are probably
going to be at least partial determining factors. I've never had large
bedrooms with space for crates, so I have a "dog room." I've also had
crates in the living area of the home to allow puppies or new dogs to be
part of the family while still having structure and a safe space.
What? With heavy coated breeds, I usually prefer metal crates that
allow air flow and some dogs prefer being able to see out/around. They
can always be covered, if desired. Plastic crates are fine for dogs that
need to stay warmer and those that don't mind the enclosed style. All
dogs should be crate trained to adult-hood in a well-built, sturdy crate.
Trying to save money on a flimsy crate with smaller gauge metal or one
door latch instead of two, can result in dogs learning to successfully
break out of the crate. This tends to teach them to fight harder and can
cause physical injury. Once a dog is reliably crate trained, many can
use lightweight soft-sided crates and tents.

Size. The crate should be big enough for the dog to stand, turn & lie
down comfortably. If there is too much space, puppies may eliminate at
one end of the crate. Modern metal crates often come with dividers that
can be used to section off an area as the puppy grows.
Bedding. Often puppies and adolescents will chew bedding, so it must
be removed for their safety until they have outgrown this behavior.
Some heavy coated breeds enjoy the coolness of the crate pan with no
bedding.
Age. I usually sleep next to the crate for a few nights when I get a new
puppy. In my opinion, puppies are harder to crate train because they
are missing their mom and littermates. You may want to give them a
stuffed animal and a ticking clock (remember those?!?). Adult dogs that
I've boarded or fostered have slept in a crate from the first night. If they
will not enter on their own, I calmly put them in butt-first and give them a
special edible chew treat. Try not to let dogs out if they are barking,
scratching, etc. or they learn the way to get out is to fuss. Try to always
let them out after at least several seconds of calm/quiet behavior
minimum.
Do's & Do nots Do make sure your pooch is comfortable in the crate
when you are out of view before leaving him in it when you leave the
house, or he may associate the crate with your absence and give the
illussion of having Separation Anxiety. Do close the door when you feed
your puppy in his crate and at night time. Do not scold your dog and put
him angrily in the crate. The crate can be used for a quiet 'time out'
much the way a child's bedroom is.
I grew up with multiple dogs and had several as an adult before I was
introduced to the concept of crate training. I learned what a valuable

skill it is for any and all dogs to have and would never again own a non-
crate-trained dog. Even if one chooses not to use a crate once a puppy

is house trained and has out-grown destructive chewing, it is a skill that
could pay off later if there is ever a need to be able to confine the dog
for shipment, travel, illness, injury, etc. My 11 1/2 year old Malamute
tore his ACL a couple years ago and had to be confined during recovery
from knee surgery. I can't imagine how much more stressful the whole
experience would have been on both of us had he not been accustomed
to crates, exercise pens and baby gates!!!
When people tell me it's cruel to put a puppy in a "cage," I tell them a
few things:

If they are not comfortable with it, it will not work well with their puppy
because the pup will pick up on the owner's anxiety! No matter how
good something is, it will only be successful if the human is on board
with it!
I actually felt guilty that I could not leave my first Malamute's giant crate
set up in my small house once he matured... he would stuff himself into
my Border Collie's crate!
My dad had dogs his whole life and never used a crate until he was
about 80 years old. After my mom passed, dad adopted a sweet rescue
dog. I gave him my article on the honeymoon period, but he told me
how 'perfect' this dog was. A couple weeks later, dad informed me Holly
was barking, peeing in the house, and getting into things. I introduced
them to a large plastic varikennel crate. Holly had obviously used a
crate before and seemed thankful to have a den to call her own! Dad
was sold on crate training from that day on.
Structure builds confidence, while too much freedom and the need for
decision-making tend to have the opposite effect. Dogs thrive on
structure, rules, boundaries and clear, consistent leadership and
guidance. Puppies raised with structure are more likely to be able to
earn privileges and have more freedom when they mature.
Mary Swinyer CPDT-KA
maryswinyer@gmail.com
maryswinyer.wixsite.com/modardogtraining

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