Northwest Rankin Animal Clinic
620 Grants Ferry Road Flowood, Mississippi 39232
Where your pets become a part of our family too! 


Make an appointment - (601) 992-4667
 

Crate Training


When a crate is used properly, it ties in directly with your dog's instincts to have a den as the core area of his/her territory.  A crate is a sanctuary for your pet.  From the puppy's or dog's view, it is not so much that he cannot get out, but rather that humans cannot get in.  Consider a crate as your puppy's crib - his own bed, a sanctuary where he knows he belongs and is secure.  A parent with a baby wouldn't resist using a crib.  A crib is not unkind to a child; neither is a crate unkind to a dog.



The crate is a useful tool when house-training your dog - whether he is a puppy, adolescent, or adult.  His instinct is not to soil his den.  A crate is also valuable during periods of chewing since it prevents household damage.  It can be used as part of an overall obedience training program or simply as a way of confining the animal when his behavior is frustrating.  It can prevent him from getting into trouble whether someone is at home or not.  When you travel with your pet, the crate provides security, comfort, and safe feelings in a strange place.

Puppies usually accept a crate in a short time.  Set it up in an area near family activity such as the hallway or kitchen.  Be certain it is away from drafts and direct heat sources.  Place a few toys, a towel or a familiar blanket and an article of your old clothing inside.  You can construct a partition (within larger crates) for your puppy so there is just enough room to lie down or sit up.  It must never offer more space than necessary or it loses its secure quality.  As the puppy grows, increase the space by moving the partition back. 

Establish a "crate routine", closing the puppy in at regular one or two hour intervals.  His own chosen nap times will guide you and whenever he must be left alone for up to three or four hours.  Give him a safe chew toy and be sure to remove collar and tags which could become caught.  Do not put water in as it will spill.  Even if things do not go smoothly at first - DON'T WEAKEN and DON'T WORRY.  Be Fair, Frank, Friendly, and Firm in the belief that you are doing your dog a favor by preventing him from getting into trouble while left alone.


Your dog's association with the crate should become a positive one.  Never use the crate as a punishment!  Please talk with one of our staff regarding any questions or concerns when using a crate.
 


One of the most dog friendly methods of training your pet is crate training. The process is very natural and uses the den instincts of the puppy or dog to help them understand where a safe place in the house is for them as well as giving them their own space and area. Since dogs naturally do not want to soil this area they are less likely to mess in the crate leading to faster and more efficient housebreaking.

Routines

Crate training works in conjunction with a puppies body functions. Establishing a routine with the puppy will help with the process and will avoid any unnecessary accidents. To use crate training techniques follow the steps outlined below:

Feed and water your puppy at the same times (or as close to the same times as possible) each day. Most puppies are fed at least two to four times per day depending on their age.

When the puppy has finished eating place them in their crate with some toys and soft bedding material. The crate should be where the puppy can still see people and feel part of the family, not where they feel that they are being isolated or punished for bad behavior.

Approximately 15 minutes after placing the puppy in the crate take them outside or to the area that you wish them to use a bathroom. If you puppy has spoiled the crate prior to this 15 minute mark don't punish them, simply clean the crate and plan the next time to take them out 5 minutes earlier. This is a process of trial and error but you will eventually find out just when the little puppy will go to the bathroom after eating.

Have the puppy walk with you to the outside area or toilet area. Praise them when they go. If they are outside for more than 3-5 minutes and are showing no signs of relieving themselves simply place them back in the crate and try again in no more than 5 minutes. Don't scold or pay undo attention to them until the go outside and eliminate. Immediately give lots of praise and attention and return them to the house for further attention and socialization.

Puppies quickly learn that by going outside and relieving themselves they will get lots of positive attention and will come back into the house and play with or be around the family.

Cautions with Crate Training

To be sure that crate training is completed correctly make sure that the following occurs:

  • Make the crate comfortable with toys, soft, washable bedding and lots of ventilation. It is to be a positive place that is the puppies den.
  • Never use the crate as a punishment or isolation area. If your puppy begins to associate the crate with being ignored or punished they will quickly stop wanting to go to the crate.
  • Keep the crate somewhere that is part of the activity centers of the house so that the puppy can still see people and be in a familiar area.
  • Do not keep the puppy in the crate for prolonged periods of time. Confining your puppy to the crate is a form of punishment to the puppy and will make the crate a negative place to be.
  • There are many resources and books about crate training that provide additional information. Crate training your puppy makes it easy to travel with the dog as they are always at home in their crate no matter where you are or what type of transportation you use.