How To Train A Dog To Crate

Introduction

Crate training is an important part of dog ownership. There are a variety of benefits to crate training, such as dogs being more comfortable in small spaces (like for traveling) and less likely to have housebreaking accidents. Some breeds, like Beagles and other hunting hounds, can also be prone to escaping the house if they catch even a whiff of something interesting outside. Training your dog to enjoy their crate will make your life—and theirs—much easier, so it’s important to start early. Here’s how:

Overcoming crate anxiety

If your dog suffers from crate anxiety, you are not alone. Crate-related issues are common among dogs and it’s important to understand what causes them. A bad experience in the past, lack of trust and training can all contribute to a dog who refuses to enter his crate when it’s time for him to go home. However, there are ways that pet parents can help their pup overcome their anxieties about being confined in such a small space.

Let’s take a look at some of these methods below:

Give them time and patience – You may need more than one day or week to get through this process if your dog has had an adverse reaction before (or several times). Try moving onto another exercise idea until they’re ready but don’t give up! It will be worth it when they finally get used to going into their crates on their own terms rather than yours.* Use positive reinforcement techniques – Dogs learn better with positive reinforcement techniques so focus on giving them treats whenever they do something right instead of punishing them when they make mistakes.* Always reward good behavior while ignoring bad ones – Never punish any bad behavior during training sessions because this can lead into more problems down the road; however do use positive reinforcement techniques as mentioned above by rewarding good behaviors even if they’re super tiny things like sitting still while waiting patiently inside a closed crate door!

Make crating a fun experience.

Use treats to lure your dog into the crate.
Give your dog toys to play with while he’s in the crate.
Feed your dog in the crate, then praise him afterward.
Talk positively to your pup while he’s in there, too. Using a happy tone of voice will help make crating more fun for him!

Feeding your dog in the crate

Once you know how to housebreak your dog, it’s time to move on to crate training. This is arguably the most important part of training your puppy, since it will help them become more comfortable with being in a smaller space and help them get used to spending time alone.

Many people feed their dogs in their crates, either by adding food directly into the crate or using an elevated bowl that sits within the crate itself. The latter option is convenient because it makes feeding time easier—you don’t have to worry about moving around while feeding your dog or making sure your dog doesn’t accidentally eat too fast. Plus, if you plan on leaving them for long periods of time outside of their homes (for example: when going out for dinner), this type of setup can be beneficial for keeping them occupied during these times as well as preventing any anxiety-related behaviors from occurring due to lack of human interaction throughout each day/night cycle (e.g., barking).

Put toys in the crate.

The crate should also have a few toys to help distract your dog while they’re in the crate. A good rule of thumb is to give your dog about one toy for every hour you’ll be away, so if you’re going out for two hours, give him or her two or three toys.

Toys can also help keep your dog occupied while you’re not home. If your dog loves chewing on things like rawhide bones, rubber toys and Kongs (which are great for keeping them distracted when left alone), make sure those are the only things kept near his bed or crate. Also ensure that any other toxic substances like food or medications aren’t within reach as these could be harmful if ingested by mistake!

Get comfortable with closing the door.

Have your dog watch you close the door.
Have your dog sit in front of the closed door.
Have your dog lie down in front of the closed door.
Then have him stand up again, and repeat this exercise until he can do it with ease (i.e., without running away or freaking out).

Extend the length of time.

Increase the length of time gradually.

Start with 10 minutes, then increase to 20, 30, 45 and an hour. If your dog has an accident while he’s in his crate, don’t punish him. Instead just give him a few seconds to relax before taking him out of the crate.

Practicing crating at night.

Practice at night.
Make sure the crate is big enough for your dog to stretch out comfortably. You can use a blanket or towel to make it more comfortable, but don’t use anything that could be dangerous if swallowed (e.g., blankets with fringe).
Put a treat in the crate as you put your dog in there, then close the door and let them get it out on their own—this will train them that going into their crate results in getting rewarded!

Dealing with separation anxiety.

If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, this can be a problem for you and the dog. Separation anxiety occurs when a pet becomes nervous or panicked at being left alone by their owner, often to the point where they start destroying things in the house. This can be a serious issue if you want to travel with your dog or leave him with a sitter while you’re away on business trips.

One way of dealing with this is through training: specifically crate training. Crates are an excellent way for dogs who suffer from separation anxiety to feel more secure and relaxed when left alone in case there’s an emergency, like needing them outside or needing them as back-up in case someone breaks into your house while sleeping (it happens).

The best way of doing this is by placing a comfortable bed inside the crate so that it feels familiar and safe for your pup when he’s inside it—if he doesn’t feel safe then it won’t work!

Crate training is important for dogs to be happy and well-behaved.

It helps dogs feel safe and secure when they’re in their crates, so they’re not as anxious or stressed out.

Conclusion

Dogs are beautiful creatures, and crate training is one of the best ways to ensure that they’re happy and safe. It also helps them become better behaved. We encourage you to give crate training a try!