All dogs benefit from being comfortable in a crate - and you’re here because you know that! Some adult dogs adjust very easily to a crate, while this can be more challenging for other dogs.
Reasons Dogs May Not Like Their Crate
Many dogs struggle with confinement. Additionally, many dogs dislike separation from people - and confinement may make this worse. If a dog has not had experience with a crate, they may be stressed or feel trapped and try to get out. While many people will refer to dogs as “den animals” and say that a crate provides a den-like structure, in reality, domesticated dogs seem to primarily use dens when giving birth and not at other times.
Dogs can get seriously injured, or worse while trying to break out. If a dog breaks out, then they will try harder to do so in the future. While there are “escape-proof” crates, these do not alleviate the distress a dog experiences, and you likely will see your dog get more hesitant about entering over time. We need to work on the underlying causes of stress rather than just getting a more sturdy crate.
If your dog has been comfortable in their crate and suddenly is unhappy, work with a qualified professional, as there is likely something else going on beyond crate training. It might be a specific, stressful event that occurred while you were away or an underlying medical condition that may be contributing to increased anxiety.
Crate Training Has Many Uses
Many people know how crates can be part of a house training program or as a way to keep a dog safe when you can’t supervise them. Crates are used at most grooming shops to keep dogs from interacting with each other before and after their turns. When dogs visit a veterinarian for an emergency or procedure, a crate or kennel is typically used, plus your dog may need confinement while recovering at home afterward. If you travel, a crate may be required for a hotel or rental house, and if you live in an area where natural disasters are a risk, you may need to crate while staying in an emergency shelter.
How To Crate Train Your Adult Dog
We can use dozens of activities to help dogs learn to go into a crate, rest in the crate, and calmly exit the crate - plus, we can create personalized variations for dogs too. We can typically use the same activities for puppies and adult dogs. Here are a few ideas:
Give meals in the crate.
Feed your dog their meals in their crate or as close as they are comfortable. If they hesitate, move the bowl a little further away. Pairing meals with the crate can help create good feelings, and it typically does not require very much time from you. Feeding a dog in the crate is an excellent habit for dogs, especially in multi-dog households.
Give special chews in the crate.
Let your dog enjoy their favorite special treats or chews in the crate. You can be sitting nearby.
In and Out
Toss a low-value treat into the crate. Once your dog goes in, then give several higher-value treats. This might look like tossing in a piece of dog food and then giving him three small pieces of cheese once he goes into the crate. Many dogs begin to go in on their own.
Hang out
Encourage your dog into the crate. Feed treats through the bars or holes. Initially, feed rapidly, then add a slight pause between each treat. Gradually increase the time between treats.
Calm Exits
Some dogs sprint when they exit a crate. You can encourage your dog in, ask for a sit. Reward, then invite your dog out, have him sit, and reward. Repeat the in and out routine 5-10 times per session.
What if my dog tries to get out?
Some dogs have separation distress or confinement stress. For these dogs, we need to progress very gradually. Do not confine your dog outside of training sessions if your dog may try to break out. Dogs can get seriously injured when trying to break out of crates.
You may need other options until your dog is comfortable with confinement or separation. Some families may use a friend, family, or pet sitter to provide supervision. Daycare or boarding may be an option. Some dogs do well with a gate up and being in a room or area of the house rather than in a crate. Use a camera to monitor your practice sessions to see if this is a good option for your dog. These aren’t forever plans. It’s just temporary so that you don’t undo any progress by making your dog go into the crate when he is distressed.
Our training team is ready to help you and your dog work on crating.
