Basic Dog Obedience Device — the Crate

by William Preston

Ah, house training your dog. Don’t you just love the idea? If you’ve ever had to go through this experience, then you know how challenging it can be. If you’ve never done it before, I’ve got great news. By learning some basic essential knowledge, you’ll soon discover that it doesn’t have to be as difficult or challenging as you were initially expecting.

Crate Training

As far as house training goes, crate training is generally accepted to be the most effective and efficient means of house training a puppy in a short space of time. Crate training is essentially the use of a small indoor kennel (the crate) to confine your young puppy when you’re not actively supervising her.

The whole premise behind this method of crate training is that all dogs have an inbuilt dislike of going to the bathroom in an area where they normally sleep. Therefore, because she’s spending most of her time in her “sleeping quarters”, she will naturally wait until put outside before relieving herself (assuming that you let her out at reasonable intervals).

How to Choose a Crate

As a general guideline, it’s more cost-effective for you to choose a crate that’s big enough for her to grow into. It should be big enough for the adult dog to stand up comfortably without crouching, turn around in, and stretch out – but no bigger (so that she doesn’t choose one part as her bed, and one part as her toilet!)

Because the adult dog is likely to be considerably larger than the puppy, it’ll most likely be necessary for you to use a barrier to reduce the internal size of the crate. A wire grille or board will do just fine. Alternatively, you can use a cheap crate (or even make one yourself) and replace it with a larger model as your puppy grows.

Consistency is Key With Crate Training

The process of crate training is actually more difficult for the new owner than it is for the new puppy. You will be required to keep the puppy in her crate at all times, literally, except for the times when she will be placed outside to go to the bathroom (and taken for walks), eating, and having supervised playtime with you inside the house. This may seem like cruel and unusual punishment, but it isn’t. It is actually crucial to the well-being of puppy as she continues to grow to become an integral part of your family. Be consistent this, and don’t give in.

Puppies Have Different Tolerances

The maximum amount of time that a puppy can be crated at one time is figured out using the following equation: her age in months, plus one. So, a three-month old puppy can be crated for a maximum of four hours. However, this is likely to be physically pretty uncomfortable for her (not to mention hard on her emotionally and psychologically: it’s tough being cramped up with nothing to do), so you should really take her out at least once every two hours during the day. If she’s sleeping, of course, just let her sleep until she wakes up naturally.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, crate training is one of the most effective methods of house training a puppy. But it doesn’t happen overnight, and it needs you to be consistent. The whole process can take anywhere from one to two months, but in the long run, this will be considered one of the best time investments you will have ever made in the life of your pet.

“Is my dog barking too much due to Separation Anxiety?”

Canine separation anxiety refers to your puppy or dog’s fear as a result of being separated from you — the pack leader.  This specific nervous condition becomes worse and worse, without training or behavioral intervention, and will begin to happen every time you leave the house.  It may even begin to happen every time you leave the room.

Since dogs are pack animals, by nature, your dog feels most secure and comfortable when he is part of the pack.  His pack may be headed by a human, but it’s all the same to him.

“So my dog is anxious.  Why is this such a problem?”

The resulting behaviors, caused by separation anxiety, will be things like excessive barking, whining, chewing up everything in sight and going potty (on purpose) in the house.  Your dog may exhibit just one of these symptoms, or maybe all of the symptoms. Excessive barking is very likely to be one of the main manifestations. Not sure if your dog is barking and whining while you are out?  Your neighbors may be able to fill you in!

“What can I do about Separation Anxiety?”

Crate Training

One of the recommended methods for alleviating the problem is to crate-train your best friend.  You will most likely have to help your pooch overcome his apprehension about his new ‘house’, so plan on spending some time on this in  the beginning. Place the crate somewhere where he will feel safe and comfortable to enter and also exit.  Leave the door open at first, and let him get used to coming and going as he pleases.  Never, ever drag him or force  him into the crate.  It may take a few days for him to feel okay about his new digs.  Over time, he should actually begin to prefer the crate as a place to sleep, relax or get away from things that make him nervous or uncomfortable.

Once he is comfortable with coming and going, begin to shut the door for 5-10 minutes at a time, while you remain in the room.  Praise him, but don’t coddle him and feed his insecurities.  Gradually increase the time spent in the crate, with the door latch closed.  Leave the room for awhile and then return.

Always praise him for good behavior.  Don’t reward whining or panicked behavior.  Act calmly yourself, as if nothing should be bothering him. Reward his calm, quiet behavior with a treat or positive words.

Plan to work with him over a period of several days, before just locking him in and leaving for work.  Practice asking him to get into his crate and then getting your keys and leaving the room.  Eventually, leave the house for a couple of hours, while you go to the store.  Soon, he will be ready to accept his crate for an entire day while you are gone to work.  Always, always make sure that he has had the opportunity to relieve himself prior to locking him into the crate for an extended amount of time.  If you have worked up gradually to this point, your dog should no longer be barking excessively, whining and acting out when you leave. He will feel safe, secure and calm inside his crate.

If all goes well, the barking problem that is a result of separation anxiety will be resolved.  And won’t your neighbors be happy?!