TIPS ON INTRODUCING A DOG CRATE from dog company.

Dog Crate Training can take advantage of your dog’s natural instincts to seek out a comfortable and safe dark den, a quiet place that they can rest and retreat to when everything becomes overwhelming. You can also use the dog crate as a training method in preventing chewing items in the home or to get them used to you leaving the home for periods of time without them becoming anxious and right now this is key to finding harmony in the home. The national lockdown has seen a huge increase in dog ownership and dog’s find the transition to their humans from being at home 24/7 to then leaving them for several hours a day very difficult to understand and stressful.

Patience and empathy is key, it can take several days to some weeks and so take is steady and consistent, try not to confuse them especially if your dog is an adult or perhaps recovering from surgery. Perhaps you are fostering or adopting a dog, it is a new situation for you all, it is important to keep in mind while crate training that it is associated with something pleasant and their own quiet sleep space that they can call their own. 

Crates are not areas to put your puppy or older dog into when you get fed up with them. This above everything is not the right way to go and the reason many people consider this as a cruel process when really you are providing a safe den they can call their own. 

Dogs do not like to soil their dens as they consider this area to be clean and safe and so you should not see this happen, if you do then do not punish your dog, try to understand why they have done this, have empathy and above all else be kind, remember a dog understands a limited amount of commands, they understand the tone of voice and actions and so go, softly and kindly. 

FIRSTLY, CONSIDER YOUR DOG BREED TYPE, SIZE AND THEIR SLEEP HABITS

Each dog breed type have different patterns of sleep habits and understanding this will make a difference to your decision and how you introduce your dog to the crate. If in doubt ask your dog breeder or search for information through Breed specific groups and the Kennel Club of Great Britain has a huge resource centre on their website to help you. 

We would recommend to purchase a dog crate for an adult dog and not a puppy as, we know puppies grow quickly, it would just mean you have to purchase a new crate within months.

Choose a dog crate that is strong enough for your dog breed.

We recommend purchasing a 2 door dog crate with 2 sliding bolts on each door, a carry handle on the top and a removable base tray for easy cleaning. DogCo crates are 2 door powder-coated metal wire dog crates from Dogit. The suppliers are Hagen, an original USA based company that have researched and understand the global steel and metal manufacturing industry for over 55 years.

COMING HOME

Bring your puppy or older dog to the crate and talk to them in a happy tone of voice, ensure the door to the crate is open and secured. Decide what to call the crate using one word like “Den”  “Crate”  “Bed”  “Sleep” and use this word when encouraging your dog, remember be consistent and be kind.

Encourage your dog to enter the crate by placing little favourite treats nearby the open door. Then leave it for a while and repeat this process. Pop a few treats just inside the open door and sit with them whilst they explore and pluck up the courage. And then, further inside ensuring they can see the treats and also see that you are still there and the door is open. 

Play with their favourite toy or little blanket outside the crate and then pop them just inside the crate and encourage them to bring it back out again to play and repeat. Eventually your dog will feel happy to pop their heads in and out and they will naturally then start to explore what is further inside. 

Feeding your dog next to the open doors will get them used to the crate size and the smell of it, they will start to trust the open door and the space within. And then place the food tray inside the crate and then further back. If, they look anxious, don’t force it, be patient and let it take it course. After they have become trusting of this process start to close the door behind them and as soon as they have finished their meal, praise them and open the door, big praises and go for a little walk outside.

Repeat the process and be consistent but keep the door closed a little longer, and the next time a little longer still and so they will learn to trust the process. 

Open the door and give the one word command “crate” “Den” etc and encourage them to go in and out, play with them and be happy. Praise them and give them a treat and close the door or ensure their favourite toy or blanket is inside to comfort them. 

Leaving the room, once you have their trust move away from the crate but sit close by and then leave the room for 5 - 10 mins. Return quietly and sit again in your same spot and then quietly let them out. 

Repeat this throughout the day and gradually make that 10 mins a little longer, especially after a meal and walk, they will want to sleep until they become so happy that it really is not a “thing” anymore it is their cosy den. 

Separation Anxiety

Attempting to use a dog crate as a method to control your dog if they suffer from separation anxiety will 100% fail. Separation Anxiety needs to be carefully and patiently worked through between you and your dog. We would advise to seek advice from a professional animal behaviourist who works alongside you compassionately and affectively to build up trust and communication between you and your dog. 

DRESSING YOUR COSY DEN DOG CRATE

DogCo crate sets from Divine Pets are available in 2 options and 3 sizes and include the 2 door Dogit dog crates. 

• HALF SETS: 2 Door Dog Crate, Cushion, front or side door bumper set

• FULL SETS: 2 Door Dog Crate, Cushion, front or side door bumper set, outer cover with 2 roll up door blinds fully lined

Our covers are made from lightweight materials like linen and have 2 roll up window blinds at each entry door. A cover offers a darkened and cosy den atmosphere and can also offer coolness on a hot day away from the glare of hot sunlight. 

If you have a radiator next to the dog crate, we would advise you to turn it off unless it is super cold and chilly. Please ensure there is plenty of fresh air ventilation into the room where you place your dog crate and your dog has full access to their water bowls.

Please do not add blankets inside that will make them hot, their cushion and bumper offers them exactly what they need to feel safe and cosy. 

If you need professional advice and help on how to crate train with your dog, or need help with dog training in and outside of your home, please contact a qualified Dog Behaviourist.