~ Happy winter! Orders are handmade in my studio and take up to 1 week to complete ~

How to Get Your Dog Used to Being Home Alone in a Crate - Our Secred Method

How to Get Your Dog Used to Being Home Alone in a Crate - Our Secred Method

When it comes to getting your dog used to being crated, the two most important things to remember are: make it pleasurable, and do it slowly. If you can, start crate training early. If starting early isn't an option, don't worry! With patience and a bit of time, you can train your dog to go in the crate and be comfortable staying there while you're away.

Getting Your Puppy Used to Being in a Crate

Introducing your puppy to a crate can be a smooth and stress-free process with a little patience and consistency. The goal is to make the crate a safe, comfortable, and positive space for your puppy so they associate it with good things rather than something to fear. Start by placing the crate in a common area where the family spends time, like the living room, so your puppy feels like they’re part of the action. Make the crate inviting with a soft bed or blanket, and perhaps a treat to encourage them to explore. Here's the first part of our secret method: Make a recording on your phone of your family talking for the length of time you plan to leave your dog in the crate. More on this later...Cover the crate with a sheet or crate cover, and look inside the crate to make sure that the edges can't be tugged on and pulled into the crate.

Begin with short periods of time, allowing your puppy to go in and out freely at first. Praise and reward them when they voluntarily enter the crate, making sure they associate it with positive experiences. Gradually increase the time they spend inside, starting with just a few minutes and working up to longer stretches. Avoid using the crate as a form of punishment—this could make your puppy develop negative associations. Also, make sure the crate is appropriately sized—large enough for them to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not too spacious that it feels less like their safe den.

As your puppy becomes accustomed to their crate, start incorporating it into their routine. Crate time can become a part of naps or bedtime, helping to establish a comforting environment. Patience and consistency are key, and soon your puppy will see the crate as their personal space where they can rest and relax.

Getting an Older Dog Used to a Crate

Introducing an older dog to a crate can take a bit more time, especially if they haven’t been exposed to one before. However, it’s still possible to make it a positive experience. Start by choosing a crate that is the right size for your dog, providing enough space for them to stretch out and feel secure. Place it in an area where they feel comfortable, like their favorite room, and encourage them to explore it by placing treats or a cozy blanket inside. Cover the crate with a sheet or crate cover.

For an older dog, patience is crucial. Begin with short sessions where you slowly encourage them to enter the crate. Don’t force them in—let them approach it on their own terms. Use positive reinforcement such as treats or praise when they enter the crate voluntarily, and gradually build up the time they spend inside. If your dog shows signs of anxiety or stress, take it slow and break up the process into smaller, more manageable steps.

If your older dog associates being left alone with negative experiences, try to desensitize them by leaving the crate door open and allowing them to come and go as they please, while gradually increasing the length of time they are inside of the crate. You can also leave them with a Kong stuffed with treats or peanut butter inside the crate to make it more enticing. Over time, your dog will begin to see the crate as a safe and positive place, especially when you consistently associate crate time with rewards and praise.

Putting our secret method into action: Take out that recording on your phone of your family talking. Get your dog excited about going into the crate by offering praise and placing a Kong stuffed with treats or a little peanut butter into the crate. Tell your dog that he or she is such a good boy or girl for going inside the crate. Close the crate cover or sheet over the crate. Be sure that no edges can be pulled into the crate. Play the recording of your family talking on your phone, and place the phone outside of the room where your dog is, but make sure the dog can hear the recording. We like to leave the TV on, as well, while we are gone. That's it! You've learned our secret method for getting your dog used to being home alone in a crate!

We also want to mention to make sure that you are back in time to let your dog out for potty breaks--every 2 hours for puppies, and every 4 hours for older dogs! 

 




Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.