Crate Training
Crate training your dog can take time and effort, but the results are well worth it. Using a crate provides several important benefits:
- Helps limit access to your home while your dog is learning the “house rules”
- Prevents inappropriate chewing and the ingestion of harmful items
- Gives your dog a personal space or “den” of their own
- Provides a safe way to travel with your dog in the car
- Offers a secure place for your dog to retreat when feeling scared or stressed
- Supports the housetraining process
Important Notes About Crate Use
- A crate is a helpful tool but should never replace proper training
- Crates should only be used for short periods of time
- Never use the crate as punishment
- Always associate the crate with positive experiences
- Take crate training slowly, using small steps
Choosing the Right Crate
Crates come in various sizes and materials. Choose one that is large enough for your dog to stand up, lie down, and turn around comfortably. Crates may be plastic (“flight kennels”), collapsible metal pens, or soft-sided fabric models (best used only when you're supervising your dog).
Starting the Crate Training Process
Crate training can take days or even weeks, depending on your dog’s age, personality, and past experiences. If your dog isn't ready to be crated, use a safe, easy-to-clean room, or block off an area using baby gates. You can also keep your dog close on a leash. Remove anything chewable or dangerous. When your dog is loose in the house, always supervise closely.
Important: If your dog shows signs of stress—such as panting, drooling, shaking, trying to escape, tucking their tail, or refusing food or treats—pause the training, slow down, and go back a step or two. If the behavior continues, contact a professional trainer.
Step 1: Introducing Your Dog to the Crate
- Place the crate in a common area where the family spends time. Add a soft blanket or towel. Keep the door securely open.
- Bring your dog to the crate and speak in a happy, relaxed tone.
- Encourage your dog to explore it by tossing high-value treats (like small bits of hot dog or cheese) near the crate, then just inside the door, and gradually farther in.
- If your dog doesn’t go in right away, that’s okay—never force them. Try using a favorite toy if treats don’t work.
- Praise your dog when they enter the crate. Practice this five times per session and repeat several times a day.
Step 2: Feed Meals in the Crate
- Begin feeding your dog near the crate to create a positive association. Gradually move the food bowl farther inside.
- If your dog is comfortable going in, place the bowl at the back of the crate.
- At first, leave the door open while they eat. Once they’re comfortable, start closing the door during meals.
- Gradually increase the time your dog stays in the crate after eating. If they whine, you may have increased time too quickly. Try shorter periods next time.
- Don’t let your dog out while they are whining, or they will learn that whining gets them what they want.
Step 3: Practice Longer Crate Time
- Once your dog eats in the crate without fear and enters willingly, start short crate sessions while you’re home.
- Use a consistent cue like “kennel up.” Reward your dog with a treat and praise once they enter.
- Close the door, take a step away, then return and reward again. Gradually vary the amount of time and distance.
- Practice several times a day. Slowly build up to 30 minutes with you out of sight.
- Once your dog stays calmly for 30 minutes, you can begin crating them when you leave or at bedtime.
Step 4:
Part A – Crating When You Leave
- Once your dog is comfortable in the crate, use your cue and a treat before leaving.
- Provide safe toys and enrichment, like a stuffed Kong (freeze it to make it last longer).
- Crate your dog 5–20 minutes before leaving.
- Keep your departures and returns calm and quiet.
- Occasionally crate your dog while you’re home, so they don’t associate the crate only with being alone.
Part B – Crating at Night
- Use your cue and a treat to guide your dog into the crate at bedtime.
- At first, keep the crate nearby (example: in your bedroom or hallway). This is especially helpful with puppies who may need a nighttime potty break.
- Once your dog is sleeping through the night comfortably, you can gradually move the crate to your preferred location.
Step 5: Maintaining Crate Reliability and Training
- Never use the crate as punishment or leave your dog confined too long.
- Continue to intermittently reward your dog for entering the crate, even once they’ve learned the routine.
- Leave the door open when not actively training. Occasionally toss treats or toys inside to keep the crate a positive space and allow them to use it as their safe space
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Potential Problems
Too Much Time in the Crate
Crates are not a long-term confinement solution. If your dog is crated all day and again at night, they may become frustrated and other arrangements should be made to accommodate their physical and emotional needs. Puppies under 6 months shouldn’t be crated for more than 3–4 hours - this may lead to accidents.
Whining
If your dog whines, ignore it at first. If they persist, use your potty cue to check if they need to go out. If they respond positively to the potty cue, take them outside for a quick break—but not playtime. Avoid reinforcing whining by letting them out “just because.”
Not Ready for the Crate
If your dog is not yet ready for the crate, he should be contained in a safe room or a gated area that is easy to clean. Always supervise and remove anything dangerous your dog might chew or swallow.
Sign of Separation Anxiety
Crating does not cause separation anxiety; it is an emotional state intrinsic to the dog. Attempting to use crate training as a remedy for separation anxiety will not solve it. This condition requires a professional behavior plan, including desensitization and counter-conditioning. Do not crate your dog if they show these signs when left alone:
- Attempts to escape the crate
- Destructive behavior to the crate and/or doors or windows (exit points of the home)
- Excessive stress panting, drooling, barking, or whining
- Not eating when alone
- Accidents in the house (despite housetraining)
- Self-injury
Should you suspect your dog has this condition, you should consult a professional animal-behavior specialist for help.
If your dog truly seems to panic while in the crate by excessively drooling or trying to chew through the crate, please contact the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Behavior Line at 414-431-6173 or email behavior@wihumane.org for assistance.
