Crate Setup and Introduction

Crate Setup and Introduction

Written by Pat Schaap, Shennanigan Shelties
posted here with author's permission (Thanks Pat, for sharing!)

Set up crate - preferably in a heavily used area - family room, kitchen, bedroom (not in front of a window or glass door). The dog should be quiet in the crate, not constantly stimulated by outside distractions. Put a rug or mat in if you wish, and chew toys (a marrow bone stuffed with string cheese or hotdogs will keep most dogs busy for a while and teach them that this is a proper chew toy). If the dog is a young puppy, a soft stuffed toy (like a PUFF-A-LUMP) gives the puppy something to cuddle with.

Allow the dog to investigate the crate - throw a few small treats in and allow him to go in and out at will.

With the leash and collar on the dog (not necessary if very young puppy) tempt him into the crate with food. If he will not go in on his own, pick him up and put him in. DO NOT SHUT THE DOOR. You should be sitting right outside of the crate door. Use leash or your hand and do not let him out of the crate. You don’t need to say anything when shoving him back, but you can say "wait" if you feel the need to use words. Praise him when he sits or lays down. Wait approximately 10 minutes before you release him from the crate with a release command (i.e. "RELEASE" or "OUT"). Do the above at least 3 times - each time longer than the previous one.

The 4^th time you put him in the crate (with a small treat) shut the door and sit in a chair next to the crate. Talk to him if he gets anxious, but do not touch him. Ignore whimpering or mild crying, but correct all frantic or temper tantrum behavior. When you finally open the door the let him out do not allow him rush out. If he tries to come out without the command to leave, quickly shut the door again (perhaps bumping his feet or nose). Continue to try to open the door, popping it closed again if necessary until he waits quietly for you to give the command to come out. Examples of corrections:

"NO NO NO" and bang, bang, bang on top of crate
"NO NO NO" and rock crate back and forth once or twice
"NO NO NO" and squirt lemon juice in dog’s mouth

Repeat #4 at least 3 different sessions - each session at least 45 minutes. Do not release him from the crate if he is complaining.

Now you can start putting the dog in the crate (with a small treat) when leaving the room. When he is comfortable in the crate (no clawing at crate or barking) for several hours at a time with you in and out of the room, he is ready to be left in the crate when you leave the house.

NOTE: It’s important to understand that the dog must be taught how to behave in the crate. You cannot just put him in and let him try to fight his way out. Any signs of discontent - salivating, barking, digging at the bottom, biting the bars, etc. - must immediately be controlled. This means that he must be in the crate some of the time when you are home - even after months of using the crate.

HELPFUL HINTS

1 - The first time you put the dog in the crate should be when he is tired and ready to take a nap.

2 - Be sure there are toys for the dog to chew on or play with in the crate.

3 - Do not leave the dog with a mat in the crate when you start leaving the house if the dog is likely to chew it. It just encourages the dog to chew cloth.

4 - Take the dog to the crate with a leash and collar and put him in with a treat and a command such as "CRATE" or "KENNEL". Do not call the dog to the crate to put him in.

5 - The dog should not be allowed to rush out of the crate when you open the door. Use a command to exit the crate as well as enter it.

6 - THE CRATE MUST NOT BE ASSOCIATED STRICTLY WITH BEING LEFT - therefore you must continue leaving the dog in the crate some of the time when you are home.

7 - Feed the dog in the crate - this is a positive association.

8 - Using the crate as the dog’s bed at night is another positive association.

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