Using a crate for a dog to sleep in can be very helpful to dog owners. It keeps the dog safe, and it is especially useful when you need to leave a young dog or puppy unsupervised while you are sleeping or are out of the house. If your dog has not been trained to use a crate from the time he is a puppy, it may take some time before he accepts it.
Start crate training by leaving the crate in a room where you will be much of the time. Take the door off so the dog can go in and out at will. Some dogs will sleep in a crate because it is a natural den. If that is the case, your job will be much easier. However, if you have already tried to leave your dog in a crate and he did not like the experience, you will need to provide positive reinforcement to change his opinion.
Begin by feeding your dog at the door to the crate. Then try putting some favorite treats just inside the crate opening. Once he readily takes the treats from that spot, move them back a littler farther. If the dog doesn’t go immediately to the food, ignore him. Eventually, he should gain the confidence to venture farther into the crate to get the food. A favorite toy can also be used. At this point, your goals is to get the dog to go in to the crate for short periods of time. When he does enter the crate, praise him. When he comes back out of the crate, ignore him.
Once the dog is readily going into the crate for treats or toys, start putting his food dish in the crate so he eats all meals there. Again you may need to start with the dog halfway in the crate and gradually move the food to the back over several sessions. For quicker results, try feeding the dog smaller amounts more often for a while. Once your dog is readily eating in the crate, it is time to close the door for very short periods of time.
It is very important that you praise the dog only while he is in the crate, not when he comes out. Also, do not play with him before or after he goes in so the crate does not represent the end of attention from you or a barrier to playing with you. Praise the dog while he is in the crate and ignore him for a few minutes after you let him out. At first you should stay in the room while the crate door is closed. Once you see the dog is relaxed or sleeping, leave the room for short periods of time. Do not say anything to the dog when you leave. Then walk around the house or do other activities that do not make him feel as if he is being left out of the action.
Once the dog learns that the crate is a safe and comfortable place to sleep, he will begin to accept it. Don’t leave the dog in a crate too long, and never use it when you are angry with him. A dog that sleeps in a crate at night and is in a crate for a few hours in the day can be a very happy dog. Too much crating, though, can lead to stress. If you need to leave the dog for a while, it is often helpful to give him a safe toy, such as the hollow rubber ones that can be filled with peanut butter or other edibles. A water bucket hung on the side of the crate is also useful and will make the dog feel more comfortable.
Do's and Don’ts:
* Do give the dog an indestructible toy while he is in a crate.
* Do make sure the dog has been outside to relieve himself before he goes in a crate to sleep.
* Don't crate your dog when he is wearing a slip or choke collar. It can get caught and choke him.
* Don’t leave toys or bedding in the crate that the dog can chew up.
* Don’t use the crate as punishment; the dog should always associate the crate as a positive thing.
