How to Crate Train Your New Puppy
Crate training a new puppy can be stressful for both you and the dog. However, if done correctly, you can avoid many inconveniences and awkward situations. The key to success is to take things slowly, create a cosy environment, and exercise plenty of patience.
Contents
Make the Crate Comfortable
Dog Bed
One of the first steps to crate training is creating a comfortable space for your new pup. Start by placing a bed inside the crate. There are numerous high-quality dog crate beds available to choose from. Bolster beds are a fantastic option, particularly for smaller breeds. These beds are very soft and help make the dog feel secure.
Bolster beds come in a variety of sizes, from small to XXL, depending on the manufacturer. When selecting a bed, ensure it is made of quick-drying materials like polyester, which is also machine-washable and resistant to wear and tear. The pillow edges around the base of the bed provide the perfect spot for your pup to rest its head.
It’s also wise to choose a bed with a skid-resistant base to prevent it from sliding around inside the crate. This adds an extra level of safety. Another excellent option is a memory foam bed. Memory foam is a highly supportive and comfortable material that provides optimal support for a dog’s muscles and joints. It conforms to the shape of the dog’s body and returns to its original form once the dog gets up.
There are plenty of sizes available to match both your dog’s length and the crate’s dimensions. Look for a bed with removable covers to make cleaning and maintenance easier. New dogs can sometimes feel scared or frustrated and may make a mess in the crate, so an easy-to-wash cover will be very helpful.
Vet beds are another popular option for crate beds. They are strong, durable, and can easily fit inside any crate. Despite their simple design, which might make them appear uncomfortable, they are actually among the cosiest beds on the market. If you’re unsure which bed your dog will prefer, take your dog to the shop and let it try out several beds. See which one your pup likes best and buy that one.
Dog Blanket
The next step to making the crate a welcoming space is adding a blanket. This doesn’t need to be anything expensive or even a specialised dog blanket. Sometimes, dogs get attached to towels or an old blanket from your bed. The idea is to add something familiar that the pup likes and enjoys using.
If you decide to purchase a blanket, there are a few factors to consider. The first is the material. Microfibre and fleece are both soft and warm, and they do not shed much. The dog will have a hard time destroying them. Next, consider the size. Choose a blanket that isn’t too large or too small, as this could cause the dog to get tangled or lead to faster wear and tear.
Safety is also crucial. Avoid blankets with loose threads or decorative beads and trinkets, as these can pose a choking hazard. Just like the dog crate beds, the blankets should feel cosy, comfortable, familiar, and safe. You may need to test a few blankets to find the perfect one, but once you do, crate training will be much easier.
Add Some Toys
There isn’t a dog in the world that doesn’t like toys. There are thousands of options available on the market. A good place to start is with an interactive puzzle feeder. This will keep your dog entertained while also satisfying its hunger. Stuffed toys are another option, though they may not be ideal for heavy chewers. However, they can provide comfort to your dog while it’s in the crate.
Chew toys are often the most popular choice because dogs love them. Your pup will feel more relaxed on its dog crate bed while chewing on its new favourite toy. To encourage the dog to enter the crate, leave the toy inside and try to lure it in with the toy. If the dog likes it, it will enter the crate and stay there to play. If the dog keeps coming out, repeat the process until it feels safe inside.
Crate the Dog Whenever You Can
Once you have made the crate comfortable with a bed, blanket, and toys and placed it in an area where you and your family spend a lot of time, you can start to slowly introduce the dog to the crate. Begin by bringing the dog over to the crate and speaking in a happy, cheerful voice. Leave the crate door open at all times.
Encourage the dog by dropping treats to create a path leading into the crate. If the pup stops and doesn’t want to enter, that’s okay—try again later. Never force it inside. If treats don’t work, try using its favourite toy. Once the dog starts entering the crate, try feeding it inside. Place the food dish in the crate, initially only as far as the dog is comfortable going.
Gradually, push the dish further inside. When the pup is fully inside and seems comfortable, try closing the crate door until it’s finished eating. Once the meal is done, open the door and let the dog out. Over time, increase the duration the door is closed, starting with a minute or two and working up to 10 minutes.
You can also try crating the dog while you’re at home. This will help it get used to the crate even more. When the dog can stay inside for more than 30 minutes on its own, you can begin letting it sleep in the crate overnight. Remember, this is a gradual process, and it takes time and patience. Don’t expect your pup to stay inside right away. Once the dog is comfortable enough, you can leave it in the crate even when you’re not at home.
Potential Issues
Whining
Whining can be a challenging issue to manage. However, punishing the dog for whining will not be effective. It can be difficult to determine whether the dog is whining because it is scared, hungry, lonely, or needs to go to the bathroom. If this occurs at night, try taking it outside for a bathroom break. Remember, this is not playtime. If the whining continues, it could mean the training process wasn’t done correctly, and you may need to start again.
Separation Anxiety
The crate should not be used as a solution for separation anxiety. While your dog may be less destructive in the crate, it could injure itself while trying to escape. The only effective treatments for separation anxiety are desensitisation and counterconditioning techniques.
