The first time I left Kimba, my four-year-old, newly adopted rescue dog alone in the house, it was a disaster. She didn’t seem too upset when I left (aside from her wet, pleading eyes), but the scene upon which I opened the door showed me just how bad an “dog whisperer” I was. My curtains had not only been torn off the wall, but ripped to shreds so that the only remnants were tiny little specks all over the place. The aluminum blinds on the living room window, the porch door, and the master bedroom had all been destroyed beyond recognition and, as my guests liked to point out, verged on unintentional artistic genius. My initial reaction was shock and anger, which soon turned to amusement as I realized how ridiculous the ordeal actually was. I knew it was my fault and instead of getting mad, I got a solution…a crate. Thanks to our very own Behavior and Training Manager, Mailey McLaughlin, I learned all sorts of wonderful things about it and would soon have the problem fixed.
According to Mailey…
Crate training is probably the best thing you could do for your dog and yourself. It is a method of teaching your dog good manners, proper housetraining, and a comfortable routine. The kind of dog that is crate trained is one that is well adjusted and secure, and one that will trust you as the “leader of the pack.”
Why a crate?
At home, the crate allows your dog a sanctuary for unpleasant situations, and it also allows you to keep him confined in a comfortable setting should he need to be (and most need it more than you’d think, especially if they are newly arrived in your home). This does not mean that Fido will live in a cage! He needs a positive place to retreat and you need a way to confine him in potentially harmful situations (household cleaning and chemicals are among these). You can think of your dog’s crate as your favorite room in the house. Sometimes we all just need to get away from the craziness, as do dogs. That area provides both of you a way to feel safe. Be careful not to ever consider crating as a punishment, because it will not work if you do. You do not want your dog to associate it with trouble, but safety.
I have a crate, so now what??
While it is important to get a crate that “fits” your dog, the most important part is training your pup to accept it as a safe zone. Like training a human to face their fears, you progress very slowly. This will take time, so BE PATIENT! Your dog will not get it in a day and it will take time. Don’t get frustrated or try to rush him along. Below are the steps to getting your dog to associate the crate with positivity:
- Make a habit of spending time with Fido in the safe zone, having fun. Make sure he can associate it with positive memories.
- Place Fido’s food bowl in the open crate during mealtimes.
- Make sure that Fido has at least one safe toy available in the crate when you can’t supervise.
- Never force Fido into the crate. You can coax with a treat but do not push.
- After a few minutes of being closed in the crate, let Fido out to play. Make sure that this is a moment when he is not crying. We do not want to associate crying with getting let out.
- Each day, increase the amount of time that your pup is in the crate and behaving well. Soon they will be very comfortable with it!
- To go a step further, as I had to with my pup, try leaving the house, starting with 2 minutes and increasing the increments. This will reduce the separation anxiety and get your dog more comfortable with being in the crate unsupervised.
Even if they are housetrained and not destructive, getting your dog used to the crate is important for their all-around happiness and safety. My four year old has now been crate trained and not only does she not mind the crate, she chooses to sleep in it at night. It makes my life, as well as hers, a lot easier knowing that she has learned enough independence to be alone for a while.
To get more details on crate training as well as other pet tips, visit our website, atlantahumane.org, for information or come in to one of our campuses for our brochures, including those on destructive dogs, litter box blues, and bringing home another pet.
Author: Rabon Major
