Introducing your puppy to its crate has many benefits. A crate is somewhere safe and cosy for your puppy to rest and relax and somewhere safe to leave your puppy when you are not around. The crate should be a positive environment where your puppy is happy to spend time.
To create a positive connection to the crate for your puppy, there are several things you should avoid doing when introducing your puppy to its crate.
The Size Of The Crate Matters
Choosing the right size crate for your puppy is important. Your puppy should be able to stand up, turn around, and stretch out in the crate. You might have to get a bigger crate as your puppy gets bigger. I got a crate with a divider in that could be removed as Luna got bigger.
Your puppy won’t be comfortable spending time in it if it’s too small. If it’s too large, it may be overwhelming for your puppy, or your puppy may choose to toilet in it, making toilet training more difficult.
Location Of The Crate
Having the crate in a bustling area of your home may be too distracting for your puppy to relax. However, having it too far from daily life in your home may be too isolating for your puppy to relax. Choose somewhere the puppy can observe or hear but won’t be too distracted.
It is often useful to set up the crate within a playpen. This gives the puppy extra space to play but restricted access to the rest of the room if you’re unable to supervise at any time.
Comfort Level Of The Crate
If the crate isn’t comfortable, your puppy won’t want to spend time in it. A crate bed or blanket will make it more cosy. A chew toy or a long-lasting chew will make the crate more appealing. Draping a blanket over the crate will create a den effect for your puppy, blocking any drafts and noise. Just make sure that the crate doesn’t get too hot.
Don’t Rush Your Puppy
When introducing your puppy to its crate, it’s important not to rush it into the crate. You want your puppy to associate the crate with positive experiences. Allow your puppy to investigate the crate, sniff around it and explore it. Let your puppy go into the crate in its own time. Have the crate door securely held open; you don’t want the door to close accidentally.
Have some tasty treats handy (or a portion of your puppy’s daily kibble allowance). Put a few inside the crate to entice your puppy. You may need to lure your puppy by placing a trail from the entrance to the inside of the crate. When your puppy is in the crate, gently praise and drop a treat into the crate from the top – you want the puppy to associate the crate with the reward, not you.
Have some chew toys in the crate and a long-lasting chew; puppies chew to decompress, soothe teething and burn energy.
Keep The Crate As A Positive Environment
It’s important not to close the crate door before your puppy is ready. If your puppy can’t get out, it will feel scared and associate the crate negatively. Your puppy needs to know that the crate won’t trap it and can leave the crate when it’s uncomfortable.
Instead, keep the door open while your puppy gets used to spending time in the crate. Drop treats into the crate whenever your puppy goes into it. Allow it to enter and leave the crate when it wants to. This will help the puppy feel safe in this environment.
If your puppy chooses to lie in the crate, drop some treats in randomly while the puppy is in there. You’re building up the length of time that your puppy spends happily in its crate.
Your puppy also learns that being in the crate is a rewarding experience. You can also feed your puppy or give them a chew in the crate to encourage positive associations with the crate.
Don’t Close The Crate Door Too Soon
Wait until your puppy happily spends time in the crate before closing the door. But don’t secure the door yet; close it over. Your puppy should still be able to leave the crate if it wants to. You will repeat this process several times. You are teaching your puppy that the crate has a door that closes, but it is still a safe space.
Once your puppy is happy in the crate with the door closed, you can start to secure it. Only secure the door for a minute or so, then open it so your puppy can leave if it wants to. Repeat this process a few times throughout the day.
Gradually build up the time that the door is securely closed. Do not leave your puppy at this stage. Stay in the room and ensure your puppy is still happy in the crate with the secure door.
When you’re not crate training your puppy, the crate door should be securely open so your puppy can come and go as it pleases.
Don’t Leave The Room Too Soon
While your puppy is learning to be in its crate with the door closed, you should stay in the room to make sure it doesn’t start to get stressed out. Allowing your puppy to get stressed in the crate will create negative associations for your puppy. The opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.
When your puppy is happy in the crate, you can move away from the crate and do normal activities around the room. Your puppy will learn that it can relax happily in its crate while you do things around them.
When your puppy is comfortable with this, you can leave the room with your puppy in the crate. Only go for a minute or so, to begin with. You can gradually build up the time that you are out of the room. Ensure your puppy has a long-lasting chew, treat-dispensing toy, or a Kong to keep it occupied when you start this stage.
When your puppy is happy to spend time in its crate, you can use the crate as part of your daily routine. When not in use as part of your routine, the crate door should remain open so that your puppy can take itself off to rest or relax whenever it wants.
The Crate Is For The Puppy
If you have other animals or children in the home, it’s essential not to allow them to go into the crate or disturb the puppy when it’s in the crate, resting or sleeping. The puppy must know that the crate is its safe space, only for them.
The Crate Is Not Punishment
Never use the crate as a punishment for your puppy. If the crate is used as a punishment, it will undo all the positive work you have done with your puppy. If you see your puppy getting stressed or upset in the crate, let your puppy out.
Puppies have little control over their toileting functions, so you should not leave your puppy in the crate too long. Make sure that you give your puppy enough toilet breaks throughout the day.
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