The Benefits of Crate Training - PAWS (2024)

FAQs

The Benefits of Crate Training - PAWS? ›

The crate is a place for the dog to be when no one is around to supervise him. It is the dog's bed and sanctuary. Its purpose is to provide confinement for reasons of safety, security for the dog, house training, prevention of destructive behavior, and/or travel.

Crate training a puppy takes advantage of the dog's natural instincts to seek out a comfortable, quiet and safe place when the environment around them becomes too loud or overwhelming. It's an important tool in preventing dogs from chewing on items in the home or during housetraining.

A crate will help your puppy learn to “hold it” because a dog doesn't normally want to soil an area where they spend time living and sleeping. It gives them a controlled space where they can be unsupervised (so they're not sneaking into a corner of your house for a pee or poop you'll discover too late).

Puppies can only be crated, and left alone, for however many hours are equal to their age in months, plus one (for example, a two months old can tolerate three hours, at most), and no dog or puppy should ever be in a crate for longer than 10 hours total, even with potty breaks.

Crate training your dog may take some time and effort, but can be useful in a variety of situations. If you have a new dog or puppy, you can use the crate to limit his access to the house until he learns all the house rules – like what he can and can't chew on and where he can and can't eliminate.

Most veterinarians, trainers, and breeders recommend crate training dogs from a young age. Crate training is an essential part of housebreaking puppies, as dogs don't like to soil their sleeping quarters. They learn to hold their bladders while they're in their crate, so you won't have to clean up messes.

You can usually stop closing your dog into your crate when they are around two years of age. Before then, they are usually more likely to get into trouble. It isn't until they mature fully that they are able to behave properly when not supervised. This is especially true for larger dogs, who tend to mature later.

Instinctually, your puppy won't go potty where they sleep so just make sure to size your puppy's crate to where they can stand, sit, lay down, and turn comfortably without extra room. And don't add potty pads INSIDE your pup's crate! This can also encourage them to go, instead of teaching them to hold it.

For most dogs, it will take between four to six months for your puppy to be fully reliable but it will depend on their size, age and ability to learn – and most importantly, on how consistent you are, how much you prevent mistakes and reward successes, and how mindful you are.

Take Bedding Out of the Crate

Removing the bedding for a short time can teach your dog that it's in their best interest not to soil the crate, since they won't want to lie in their pee or poop.

Should you cover a dog crate with a blanket? ›

And because a properly trained dog considers her crate a safe and happy space, you should never place a blanket or cover over it to punish her. Instead, offer a covered crate as an opportunity to wind down.

If your puppy cries in the crate at night, your instinct will be to help him—and that's the right thing to do. Although sometimes people worry that getting him out of the crate might teach him to cry, that shouldn't deter you. In fact, you want him to know that you will help him if he's crying.

You want your puppy to want to go into their crate on their own and not associate being reprimanded. It's also not a way to leave your puppy unattended for long intervals. As a general rule, take puppies under 4 months old out of crate every 1-2 hours, and puppies over 4 months out every 2-4 hours.

Finally, you don't want your pup to associate the crate with isolation. If possible, spend some time in their line of vision while they are in the crate so that they know you're nearby. They need to learn that their dog crate is a fun, safe place before they learn to be by themselves.

Crate training your dog can help foster a sense of security and give them a safe space that is their own. Building this association can mean that the presence of the crate can help them stay calm in new or stressful environments.

Dogs will whine in their crate for a number of reasons including boredom, loneliness, fear, anxiety, or they need to be let outside. All of these reactions are perfectly normal, and it is your job as an owner to make your pup feel comfortable and get used to their new crate.

Crate training your dog can help foster a sense of security and give them a safe space that is their own. Building this association can mean that the presence of the crate can help them stay calm in new or stressful environments.

You shouldn't crate-train your dog if they have separation anxiety or if they can't cope with being confined. Dogs with these problems often become severely agitated if confined in a crate, sometimes even right by your bedside. This can lead to destructive chewing and digging to try and escape the crate.

Most experts recommend crate training for puppies until they are reliably house-trained, which typically occurs around 6 to 12 months of age. As a puppy matures and gains better bladder and bowel control, you can gradually extend the time they spend outside the crate.

Should you use a crate forever? ‍ This is entirely a matter of personal choice. Some people choose to keep a crate long term for their dog to sleep in, while others use it for house training their puppy then phase it out and move to a normal dog bed.