There are several types of crates – wire, plastic, nylon fabric, and combination. Some are collapsible and some simply come apart in two pieces.

Which type of crate you choose will depend on your preference, how it will be used and your dog’s size and temperament.

If you want your dog to sleep most of the time he is in the crate, choose one that is all-plastic as they tend to be darker. If your dog is a real people-lover like a Golden Retriever, choose one that is all metal wire and place the crate where he can see people coming and going. If you have a small breed dog you will be taking in a crate often, you may prefer a nylon crate which is collapsible.

The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around when he is fully grown. You can get a divider to put into it to make it smaller (especially applicable for wire crates) while he is smaller if you need it.

Be aware that crate training may take a day or it may take several weeks depending upon your dog. In a few rare cases, dogs simply never crate train and will injure themselves trying to escape.

Be calm, positive, and patient. Be consistent with your dog.

Put the crate in a room where you and your family spend time such as a family room. The floors of crates are either slick – plastic or metal – or wire. Therefore, covering most of the floor with a cheap rug with a rubberized or non-slip backing will help your dog’s footing and comfort in the crate. Make sure it does not have much of a nap or any loops that can catch the dog’s toenail. Such a rug can be easily washed in the washing machine and hung to dry (do not use a dryer to fully dry it as the rubber backing will come apart).

If your dog has a blanket he likes, you may want to put it into the crate. You will also want to put a favorite toy in the crate. A chew toy he likes is a good way to occupy your dog in the crate.

Use the word “kennel” or “crate” to mean ‘go into the crate.’ Always say it in an upbeat, happy voice.

Before asking your dog to enter the crate, ALWAYS take him to his potty place, use the cue word you’ve chosen to mean ‘go potty’ and give him ample time to potty.

To get your dog into the crate, start by opening the door and securing it to stay open, or taking it off the crate. Then try putting your dog’s favorite toy or a treat in the crate as you say the word you’ve chosen to mean ‘go into the crate.’ If he goes into the crate to get his toy, praise him happily – even if he comes right out.

If he refuses to go into the crate, encourage him with happy words like “go get it” or “get your toy.” As he goes into the crate to get the toy, say whatever you’ve chosen to mean ‘go into the crate.’

Reach into the crate and get the toy for him if he still refuses and play with him with the toy for a few minutes. Then put it just inside the door to the crate and tell him to get it.

If, after 2-3 tries, he refuses to enter the crate, try some favorite treats instead of the toy. Another possibility is an appropriately sized Kong® toy with peanut butter in it. Allow him to have it in the crate where he will be busy getting the peanut butter out of it.

If he won’t enter the crate with the treats or the Kong®, leave the treats or the Kong® there and leave the door open. Go about your daily routine and let your dog stay with you so he does not think the crate means you are leaving him.

Often if the treats are in the crate and the door is open, he will get curious and go get a treat (or the Kong®) when he thinks you are not looking. If you see him do it, praise him. After he has gotten treats out of it a couple of times, place treats farther in the crate so that he has to go at least halfway in the crate to get them.

Whether or not your dog enters the crate, you will want to work with his entering it 3-4 times a day for 10-15 minutes. If he goes in, praise him. For the first 3-4 days, do not close the door; allow him to go in and out at will.

One method of teaching your dog to stay in the crate is to feed your dog his meals near the crate for several days to dispel the idea of it being scary. Then put the meal inside the crate for several days. And, finally put it at the back of the crate. After the dog has eaten in the crate for several days, start closing the door while he eats. Open the door when he finishes. After doing this for a few days, start lengthening the time the door stays closed after he eats by 5-10 minutes.

Once your dog stays in the crate for 30 minutes or more and you can leave the room during that time, you can start leaving the house and leaving him in the crate for short periods of time. Vary the length of time you are gone. Do not leave every time you put him in the crate or he will associate the crate with your leaving and become unhappy with being crated.

Young puppies crate train easily. Studies have shown that by using crate training puppies can be taught to control their bladder and bowels for longer periods of time and at an earlier age than those that are not crate trained.

A dog who has been adopted at an older-than-puppy age may not have been fully housetrained or may revert to earlier behaviors when he is adopted. To ensure that his housetraining meets your criteria, crate training is very helpful. Behavior problems he may have can also be helped or solved with the use of crate training.

Controlling your Dog's Behavior - When You are Gone or At Night

Many dogs, especially puppies, tend to steal items belonging to their owners. These stolen items then get chewed up or buried. If you have a cat, the dog may play too rough with the cat, chase the cat or get into the catbox. Puppies have a chewing tendency (and need) and nothing is off-limits, including your furniture. These are all reasons for crating your dog while you are away from the house, while you are home but too busy to watch your dog carefully, or even at night. However, your dog should never be crated both at night and all day while you are at work. Eight out of every 24 hours is enough time in the crate for the dog. If he is a puppy, he should have a break from the crate about half-way through that time – and the break should include potty time and play time.

Housetraining an Adult Dog

A dog that is unfamiliar with your home and your rules and procedures should always be crated for the first week whenever you cannot watch him carefully. In this way, you can easily and quickly asses his status on housetraining and see what type of temperament he has. It is much simpler than constantly chasing around cleaning up his messes or finding things he has torn up or chewed up or wet on.

Separation Anxiety

A dog with separation anxiety will welcome the safety of his crate “den” – especially if it contains an old piece of blanket or clothing that smells like you. In this usage, take him out to his potty place and give him ample time to potty before putting him in his crate. Keep your leaving and returning low key, but do say something like “see you soon” as you leave.

Start by only going out the front door and waiting on the porch (or in the garage if that is the way you would normally leave). After a few minutes, go back into the house and take him back to his potty place. Then proceed with normal activities.

Once he gets used to this routine, actually get into your car and leave. You can go around the block and come back the first time. After that you should actually run an errand or two and come back.

Also vary the routine. Sometimes put him in his crate when you are going out to get the mail or the newspaper or if you are taking out the trash. That way he will never know for sure how long you will be gone, but he will get the idea you will return.

Gradually he should stay in the crate for longer periods of time without being unhappy. Giving him something like a Kong® filled with peanut butter or treats will keep him occupied if you will be gone several hours.

Submissive or Excitement Urination

By using a crate with a dog that has submissive or excitement urination, you have control of the dog. Always crate him when company comes. Always leash him and take him directly from his crate to the yard and stay there with him until he has done his business. You may do your greeting of him outside. Your guests should also greet him outside or when he is in his crate.

Keep a Crate Handy

A dog that has been crate trained can be put into his crate for a number of occasions. If you have guests or go visiting, he can be crated. This controls him and makes the other people feel more comfortable. If you stay in a motel, he can be crated. If you go away, he can be in a crate or pen at a boarding facility. If he is sick or needs surgery, he can be crated at the vet’s office.

If your dog is not already crate trained, now is the time to start working on that aspect of his training. It is good for him. And it is good for you.