crate training Archives | The Tail Wag Hotel

A Step-by-Step Guide to Crate Training Your Puppy

Daniel & Adora — Wed, 01 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

When crate training a puppy, the quality of the training provided is far more valuable as compared to the quantity of time spent in the crate. Dogs are known to be den animals, but that, in no way, means that they would take to the crate from day 1. This article aims at guiding you step by step along the way to achieving crate training success.

A step guide to crate training your puppy

Step 1 – Start with an open-door policy

Lack of free will is the biggest hindrance in getting a puppy to love the crate. Often, we end up holding our pups by the collar and putting them inside the crate, even when they are unwilling to go inside. This can create negative association towards the crate.

Engage your pup in activities that would encourage them to enter and exit the crate willingly. These activities include feeding them, playing exciting and interactive games in and around the crate, chewing on edible bones, etc.

Consider adding a command for going in and out of the crate. This cue will eventually make communication easier.

Step 2 – Crate = Disneyland

Your puppy must look at the crate as a place that has all things fun. Let it be a spot where your pup goes inside to find his favorite things in the world like Bully sticks, tasty chews, his meals layered and frozen in a Kong, etc. Consider keeping one or two of their favorite activities such as meals or chewing on bully sticks exclusive to the crate during fixed times of the day. Doing so will make them look forward to being in the crate during those times.

Step 3 – OD on Positive Reinforcement

Dogs repeat the behaviors that we reinforce through attention and rewards. Often times, we end up reinforcing undesirable behaviors like barking, whining etc because we end up giving attention to that; even if it is to stop it.

Positive reinforcement does not just apply to teaching and reinforcing new behvaiors. It must also be used to reward and encourage existing behaviors, even the ones that we haven’t proactively taught the puppy to do.

Being calm in the crate may not be something that you may have actively taught your dog. But, it is important to mark and reward it several times during the day. Positively reinforcing calm behavior is crucial to ensure that it is repeated more often.

Step 4 – Duration building must be gradual

Now comes the tricky part – building duration in the crate. One the most frequently committed mistakes is keeping the puppy inside the crate far too long, far too soon. This is a sure shot way to undo all the hard work that you have put into crate training.

Duration building must be so gradual, that your pup must barely realize that it is happening. Start with just a few minutes, several times a day. As your puppy starts getting more and more comfortable, increase the time span over the next couple of weeks.

Step 5 – Isolation training

Nobody likes feeling isolated, especially not social beings like puppies. The biggest fear dogs have when left alone is whether their humans will come back. To add to this, when we isolate them in the crate for several hours at a stretch, their anxiety only becomes more real.

When you start leaving your dog alone in the crate, make sure to disappear and reappear in short periods of time. Repeating this exercise will assure your pup that you would always come back when you leave. As they start getting more and more comfortable with you leaving, increase the isolation span by a few minutes every time.

Being in the same room as your pup while they are in the crate and interacting with them often during the day can make a world of difference to them and help them calm down.

Step 6 – Optimizing on a calm state of mind

The end goal of investing time and energy in crate training is to help puppies stay alone and settle down. Settling down is easier for puppies when they are either tired or in a naturally calm state of mind. This is when they are less likely to retaliate crate confinement and settle in for a nap quickly.

Consider crating your dog after activities like walks, training sessions, play time etc. Scheduling downtimes in the crate immediately after training sessions make help dogs retain information better and for a longer time.

Step 7 – Take frequent breaks

Misusing and overusing the crate highly undermines its training ability. Puppies have tiny bladders and a fast-filling energy reservoir. Both need to be emptied from time to time. Failure to do so may lead to health issues, destructive behavior and behavioral issues stemming from boredom.

If you are planning to be away for several hours a day, ask a friend to come over or hire a dog walker to ensure your puppy will be let out of the crate frequently for pee/ potty and play breaks.

Step 8 – Alone-time extension

Extending alone time in the crate must be done at a pace that the puppy is comfortable with. Some puppies may stay in the crate for over 4-5 hours at a stretch without a problem, but some may demand to be let out in just a couple of hours. It is crucial to keep this threshold in mind and be well within it.

Attempting to extend alone time drastically may lead to behavioral; issues like isolation distress and anxiety.

Things to avoid while crate training a puppy

Using the crate to punish your dog

How often have you found yourself getting annoyed at your puppy and putting them inside the crate for a time out or as a punishment? If you are guilty of doing this every now and then, you may be setting your pup up for negative association with the crate. This may hamper their willingness to step in and out of the crate willingly.

Yelling at your dog

A puppy constantly barking and whining inside the crate can get on anyone’s nerves. But how we deal with it defines the kind of relationship our puppies will have with the crate. They are only vocalizing to express their distress. If we scold them for it, they will end up feeling frustrated and helpless in the crate.

Letting them be bored

An idle mind is a devil’s workshop. A bored puppy in the crate is a recipe for disaster. It can lead to severe behavioral issues, eventually leading to anxiety. Many a time, puppies may also end up hurting themselves with obsessive and compulsive behaviors inside the crate.

Making a big deal about leaving and coming home

Puppies have a tendency to replicate the energy they are surrounded with. You may have noticed that their energy and excitement levels can go from 0 to 100 in seconds when they see us happy and excited. This can be endearing, but when it comes to a puppy dealing with crate anxiety, come home to them with an overexcited energy may do more harm than good because their happiness to see you combined with their pent up hyper and nervous energy may give rise to anxiety.

Use the crate for several hours at a stretch

Regardless of their size, energy levels, age and ability to settle in the crate, every dog needs a break from being in the crate. Some puppies may be able to go on for a longer time, while some may need breaks more frequently. Make sure to accommodate your puppy’s needs.

Crates can be a blessing in disguise when raising a puppy to be independent, calm, and well mannered. They make excellent training assistants. However, when misused, they can be a bane. The beauty of the crate is truly in the eyes of the beholder.

The post A Step-by-Step Guide to Crate Training Your Puppy appeared first on The Tail Wag Hotel.

Benefits of Crate Training Your Dog

Daniel & Adora — Tue, 16 May 2023 16:00:24 +0000

“Should I crate my dog?” is one of the most frequently asked and debated questions in the dog world. The way a crate is used for a dog is a deciding factor on whether the crate may be a prison for dogs or a safe haven. Crates are the human version of dens that help dogs learn how to behave well and to cope in the world they are living in. Crate training is one of the foundational exercises to raising a more respectful, tuned-in dog.

Does every dog need to be crate trained?

The short answer to this question is No. Not every dog needs to be crate trained. Crate training is a highly recommended training practice to ensure your dog’s safety, prevent accidents, accelerate potty training, and help a dog settle down. But there may be numerous scenarios where a dog may do better without a crate such as when the dog has severe separation and/or crate anxiety to the point of self harm, when the dog has grown up with terrible association with the crate, if the dog needs a bigger space when confined, etc.

When done correctly, crate training has a plethora of benefits and can be a serious game changer in your dog’s training journey.

7 reasons why you should crate train your dog...

Nips certain behavioral issues in the bud

When dogs are not trained to handle independence and separation from a young age, they may end up with behavioral issues like separation anxiety, isolation distress, destructive chewing, whining, barking etc. At times these behavioral issues may escalate to the extent of the dogs hurting themselves.

Crate training when done correctly from an early age teaches puppies to associate the crate with rest and relaxation and cope better on their own. This forms a strong foundation in order to raise a puppy into a calmer and a well-behaved dog. It also prevents issues like isolation distress and separation anxiety from ever taking place.

Helps in independence training

Clinginess in puppies stops being cute when it translates in behavioral issues like separation anxiety, boredom, barking, whining etc. The main cause of these issues is deeply rooted in the dog’s inability to be independent. A crate helps in habituating the puppy from a young age to cope with independence and isolation.

When a dog associates the crate with fun and games, he would look forward to stepping into it willingly. Furthermore, being busy with mental enrichment activities inside the crate teaches dogs the art of self engagement. Puzzle toys, interactive games, slow feeders, long-lasting chews, etc. rely less on human involvement and more on the dog’s inclination and ability to interact with them.

Aids in potty training

Crate training and potty training have a direct correlation with each other. As a general rule, dogs do not soil where they sleep (unless they have a medical condition or are clueless about their pee/potty spot). Once the dog associates the crate with a resting space, they avoid soiling it. Crate training also helps in preventing potty accidents and promote better bladder control, two of the most important factors in achieving potty training success.

It is also crucial to remember that puppies have a tiny bladder and need to relieve themselves time and again. Thus, locking them in the crate for several hours is a sure shot way for the whole exercise to backfire.

Teaches dogs to calm down effectively

Puppies are born with miraculous amounts of energy, more than enough for them to take on the world. Allowing them to engage in boisterous play without giving them enough time to calm down c from time to time can result in hyperactivity and overstimulation. This usually translates into behaviors like excessive jumping, biting, nipping etc.

Crating a dog after extended (or even shorter duration of) play can help dogs take an effective breather. This is essential in making sure that their hyperactivity is not leading to anxiety or other behavioral issues. The confined safe of the crate enables puppies to self-soothe and helps them be comfortable with confinement.

Keeps your pup safe

Dogs are one of the most accident-prone pets. Their curiosity and playfulness often lead them into trouble. They can go from playing with something to choking on the same thing in a matter of seconds. For this reason, it is highly risky to give them free range of the house without supervision.

Crates act as safety schools when you are not around to supervise your fur baby. Depending on the resources made available to them in there, crates can help keep a dog engaged for short to long periods of time. A dog in a crate is a sure shot way to a pet parent’s peace of mind that they are okay when left alone.

Helps dogs settle down faster in new places

It is a living being’s natural survival instinct to try and find familiarity in unfamiliar places. Dogs who feel comfortable in crates are able to settle down in new places faster than dogs who aren’t comfortable in confinement. This is because these dogs have grown up forming a positive association of safety and relaxation with crates. This association helps them settle in faster in newer in places like pet sitters’ home, boarding facility etc.

On the other hand, dogs who get anxious in crates take a longer time to settle down in newer places. This is because they have a negative association with the only thing that is supposed to make them feel safe.

Makes travel safer

Not all dogs are born with an inclination to ride in vehicles. Unfortunately, a lot of them get car sick and are miserable in moving vehicles. Constant moving around and whining at the back seat or passenger seat by a dog that is not in his crate can cause serious disruption to the driver and can be downright dangerous. It can be tempting to let an anxious dog rest their head on your lap, but it may do more harm than good as their safety may be at stake.

Crating the dog during car rides can help improve overall travel safety. A dog in the crate has no other option but to settle down. This can help reduce car sickness. game changer in your dog’s training journey.

2 things not to do while crate training your dog

Using it as a time out/ punishment zone

Using it as a time out zone is one of the most common misuses of the crate and a classic way to make a dog hate the crate forever. It will undo all the hard work you’ve done teaching your dog to love being inside. Furthermore, it has been proven that using crates as time out zones may increase the anxiety of an already anxious dog.

Isolating your dog in there for a several hour stretch

A crate is an excellent tool to keep your dog safe when you are not around for a few hours. However, it is cruel to leave a dog in there for over 8 hours long without a break. If you are going to be working long hours, it is advisable to hire a walker or ask a friend to visit your dog during the day and let them out of the crate for a much-needed break.

The post Benefits of Crate Training Your Dog appeared first on The Tail Wag Hotel.