Crate training is one of the most important and underrated aspects of training a dog. When done correctly, it offers both owner and dog a number of benefits including accelerating house training, helping manage separation anxiety, and the amenity of managing your dog’s access around the home. We crate train all our dogs, and would strongly advise all other owners to consider doing so as well.
Crate training is the process of teaching a dog that its crate is safe, comfortable, and positive place it can enjoy spending calm and quiet times as well as where they sleep. In many ways, a crate is nothing more than a manmade den. When properly constructed, a crate should appeal to any dog’s natural instincts making it relatively easy to train around. Wire crates are readily available, and should have enough space for a dog to comfortably sit, stand, and turn round in as well as wag their tail. If buying a crate for a puppy, we recommend selecting one for the size they are expected to grow into.
Training should be experiential, and revolve around building positive associations so a dog learns that their crate is a good place to spend time in. Owners should never punish their dog while it is in or around a crate, as doing so could lead to the formation of negative and unwanted associations. Feeding a dog while it is in its crate can be a good starting point, along with giving access to high value chew toys and food-based puzzles. Once a dog is happy in its crate, the time it spends there can be slowly built up with careful monitoring.
Crate training goes a long way towards teaching dogs that spending time alone is safe and can be calming. Even if you yourself cannot be present, leaving items of clothing carrying your scent on top of the crate is advisory and can help your dog feel at ease. It also aids housetraining as dogs are unlikely to defecate where they eat and sleep. We suggest three hours as the upper limit to crate a dog during the day, with overnight also being acceptable.
Our training team have years of experience in crate training hundreds of dogs. To book an initial consultation, please email info@protectiondogs.co.uk.
The Giant Schnauzer is a rare, but highly effective breed becoming increasingly popular for family protection work. Originating as an all-purpose farm dog in Germany, the working Giant Schnauzer was expected to undertake a range of tasks including herding, guarding livestock and the homestead from thieves and intruders, and vermin…
We welcome any queries and are happy to provide further information, so please get in touch – we would love to hear from you!