This doesn't need to happen!
I’ve had a lot of questions from clients on crate training. Even if your older dog doesn't like the crate- it's helpful to still work on this since your dog will need to be crated at some point in it's life. If your dog ever goes to the vet or ever gets lost and ends up at animal control, it's a life changing skill simply because it means that your dogs worst day of it's life won't be made worse by the fear of being crated. Beyond that, crating your dog can be helpful for travel and housetraining and for dogs that can't YET be trusted alone.
For puppies and adult dogs this is pretty much the same. Start with this rule: only crate a tired, satisfied puppy goes in the crate. WAIT FOR YOUR PUPPY TO BE TIRED.
Small sessions are going to be your gold here. Wait for your dog to be tired, even if they are already napping and then put them in the crate. Do not let the dog out when they are whining- only calm behaviors get you out of the crate.
I really recommend puppies have a crate in the living room as well as one in your bedroom. Puppies should not be socially isolated and should not, in my opinion, be left to cry it out downstairs alone. Remember that dogs are incredibly social creatures that developed entirely because of their relationship with dogs. It’s not fair to them to leave them alone, particularly when they are distressed. Having the crate in your bedroom will also help to promote calm behaviors in the crate since you will likely be sleeping during most of their crating. This is also a great way to figure out when your puppy wakes up and needs to go to the bathroom. Some other things that I have found helpful:
Blanket over crate- especially for a tired toddler puppy ☺
Soothing music
Adaptil diffuser
Chewies and toys (both are important- we want our dogs to have everything they could possibly want to interact with in there- some dogs will play with a soft toy first and then move on to a chew. Bully sticks, kongs filled with peanut butter or cream cheese are also very useful.
Comfortable bedding
Snuffle mat- most dogs do not want to urinate or defecate in the place that they sleep so I find a snuffle mat in the front half of the crate to be very helpful AND encourages foraging which is a calming behavior
Licki mats
Dogs will bark in the crate for a variety of reasons. Some dogs will bark because they are having their own version of FOMO (Fear of missing out). Most dogs will do better long term In a crate in the main part of the house so they can see comings and goings and not feel completely alone. Although this can be harder at the beginning since the dog is going to want to be out of the crate, I find saying “quiet” when the dog is quiet and then using your marker- “yes”, “good”, or your clicker and then delivering food to the dog in their crate.
Every single time my foster dogs go in the crate, they are lured in there at first by a kong or some other goody. As I progress my training with them, I will ask for an “in” before they receive the item. But they alllllways get good stuff when they go in the crate.
There are a few fun different games that I learned from Sarah Stremming:
The easiest game is just all good things happen in the crate- all new items, high value toys, kongs, bones, etc are given inside the crate.
The goods are inside game- just throwing kibble or treats in the crate and having the dog go in there to get them and then come back out. You can add an “in” cue when they are about to go in and then a “free” cue when they come out. I like to ask for a sit or stay before releasing.
Storytime- while your puppy is in the crate, you can sit outside the crate and read a story to them or check your emails on your phone or computer. Just because your dog is in the crate doesn’t mean they won’t be getting interaction. This can also help to promote calm behaviors in the crate.
Mom’s busy- when you have some stuff to do (I do this a lot when im cleaning and I just can’t have everyone out right now, especially when I am mopping or sweeping and I don’t feel like training a stay in this moment), crate the dog in the room and just do the dishes. Just show the dog there is an opportunity when your attention isn’t on the table.
More on Sarah Stremming and her course here:
https://thecognitivecanine.com/blog/happy-crating/ https://thecognitivecanine.com/blog/happy-crating-2/
If your puppy is crying in the crate at night- take them outside, directly on a leash from the crate, go outside- stand in one spot for 5 minutes, then back in the crate. - that’s the only reason you should let the dog out in the middle of the night.
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