A happy dog - is a happy home...

Getting your dog comfortable staying in a crate for short periods of time and in a down stay on a bed can be a very helpful in a household. Most dogs in a very short time will seek out their crate or bed when they want some down time. The use of toys can facilitate this behavior.

Different styles of crates

The crates typically used for dogs are made of either wire or plastic. Both types are well suited for crate training and choosing which one to use is mostly a personal choice. See our discussion on choosing between wire and plastic crates for more information.

The crate should be viewed as their safe space

Crates should not be viewed as a cage or used to punish an animal. When properly introduced, a crate should become your dog's den, a place where they feel safe. The family Canidae, which includes wolves, foxes, coyotes, jackals and domestic dogs, all typically dig burrows or seek out dens or crevices in which to shelter themselves.

The crate you provide should tap into that instinct and offer a snug place to retreat to for a nap or to seek refuge.

Every dog deserves a crate. Puppies and newly acquired dogs especially need a crate from the very start to begin building structure and setting boundaries in their new home.

For puppies and dogs that are not housebroken, crate training is the first step in potty training. For some situations and when properly administered, crate training will be integral to solving destructive chewing behaviors, as well as unruley outdoor behaviors like digging and barking.

Choosing the right crate

Its important to size the crate appropriately. If you are selecting a crate for a puppy, there are a couple of considerations. Young puppies have not learned to hold it so they can not be left in a crate for long periods of time. Therefore, a pen maybe a better solution at first.

But even with a puppy, a small crate has many uses. As the puppy grows switch to larger crates. Depending on how large your puppy will be when fully grown, he may outgrow several crates. Used crates are readily available and reasonably priced online.

The correct crate size is one in which your dog can stand up and easily turn around. Dogs do not want to soil where they sleep. If the crate is large enough they will soil one end and bed in the other.

Place the crate in the same room where everyone else spends time. Don't isolate them. They should feel like they are part of the family even when they are in their crate.

Crate training basics

The pace of training will depend on whether you have had the dog for awhile and decided it was time for crate training or this is a new dog for your family and you plan to crate it beginning with the first night home.

If you've just arrived home with a new dog, start immediately. When you bring home a new dog, the crate should already be set up. It should have a soft blanket or a dog bed inside and the door should be left open. Once your new dog has been outside to relieve himself, bring him in and let him investigate the crate and take some time getting used to the presence of the crate in the room. It may be necessary to remove the door so they can freely explore the space without a swinging door to terrorize them.

Success will depend on the crate being associated with positive experiences presented in small steps initially.

If your dog doesn't investigate the crate on his own, entice him to check it out by placing some treats just inside the door. If he eats the treat, toss the next one a little farther in and continue until he freely enters the crate all the way to get the treat. Be sure to give him plenty of praise when he does.

You also want your dog to learn the command to go into the crate. As you begin the process of enticing him into the crate be sure to use the command "crate" each time your dog goes to enter the crate. Once he enters the crate, praise him and hand him the treat.

If your dog is reluctant at first, don't force it. It may take using a higher value treat and giving him some space.

If you know what toys he likes to play with, this is a good time to place some in the crate. If your dog likes to play fetch throw the ball a few times and then be sure the ball goes into the crate.

The goal is to build positive relationships with being in the crate. Toys that are familiar will help. If you are to the point that you can close the door for 15 to 30 minutes this is a good time to use a stuffed treat toy packed with something your dog really enjoys. See our page for ideas on different treat stuffing recipes.

The next step is performed at dinner time. Place his food bowl inside the crate. Ideally he will go all the way into the crate to eat his dinner. If he is comfortable eating inside the crate, close the door. As soon as he has finished eating open the door and take him outside to relieve himself.

Hopefully your new dog had a chance to spend short periods in the crate before going to bed for the whole night. If this is a dog you've had for awhile, start with short periods while everyone is present and work up to longer stays. This may take several days or longer depending on your dog. Get your dog confident that the crate is not a cage. Remember to always leave the door open between periods of crating. Before crating your dog for the night, be sure he had ample opportunity to relieve himself. A good walk before bed will also tire him out and help him sleep better. When its time for bed, place a stuffed treat toy in with him. This will occupy him for awhile as he bed's down.

Be sure the toys left in the crate overnight are safe to chew on. For a general discussion on toys and safety see our page on toy basics.

With any luck, your dog will sleep through the night. If he starts to whine or bark after finishing the treat toy, ignore him and see if he stops. Most dogs eventually tire and fall asleep. In the beginning it will be hard to tell whether he is whinning just to get out or because he still needs to relieve himself.

If it persists, wait for a pause, and take him outside. At this point it is critical that your dog does not learn that whinning is a way out of the crate. When he is finished outside, return to the crate and place him inside again with a treat.

Its important to recognize that crate training is a process and the period of adjustment will vary from dog to dog. But all dogs will eventually accept being crated as long as they have a positive association with being in the crate and they know its temporary. Never use the crate to punish and never terrorize them when they are inside. The key is patience.