Crate training is an effective way to train puppies or older dogs. This important training technique can prevent and help cure some behavior problems such as housetraining and seperation anxiety.

The amount of training necessary depends on the dog and how reluctant or willing they are to use the crate. Starting young as puppies is better and easier, but any dog can be successfully trained to use a crate.

The main goal is to make the crate a “den” or “safe haven” for the dog. If a dog is reluctant or nervous about being in a crate, pushing it to fast will make matters worse.

The size of the crate should be large enough that the dog can stand up, hold it’s head up, and also be able to turn around. Oversized crates are good, but may make housetraining more difficult because the dog can urinate and deficate at one end and still be distant from it’s messes at the other end.

Start by making the crate a “fun” place. Take the door off and place the crate in an area that the dog likes to rest - Living room, bedroom, basement, etc. At first it will be easier to train in an area frequently used by the owner-ie: living room next to couch.

Every time the dog gets a treat or a new toy, place it in the crate and let the dog enter to retreive it. Food is a strong reinforcement for positive training. Once the dog is used to entering the crate, we are ready for the next step.

Now, place the door back on the crate, but do not close it yet. When it is used to the door, you can close it for short periods of time and then slowly increase the amount of time that the door is closed.-ie, 30 seconds, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min, 10 min, ½ hour, etc. If the dog gets nervous or stressed because the door is closed, you are moving too fast and must back up a few steps and then proceed more slowly. After this is accomplished, try keeping them in the crate overnight. If all goes well, there sould be little trouble, if any, to keep them in the crate while you are out of the house. If a dog is locked in a crate, and is stressed out, signs such as bleeding front toenails, scratches on face or urination/defication may be noted.

If this happens, the dog is not quite ready to spend so much time in the crate and it will be necessary to start over at a point where the dog is more comfortable.

In cases of seperation anziety, which is a destructive behavior, other behavior techniques and medical intervention may be necessary. Crate training is crucial with seperation anxiety to prevent destruction to household objects.

Remember that any dog left for an extended period of time may urinate or deficate in the crate.

Crate training is a very useful technique and helps the dog to have it’s own little den. It is important to reinforce crate training as dogs get older so that if it is ever needed, it will be less stressful for both the owner and their pet.

Note: All of these steps may be necessary for more difficult cases. Every dog will differ, and some may readily enter their crate and not mind it being closed.