Crate training your adopted dog

As people begin relocating back into their offices and back to work, it is important that you know your dog is comfortable and safe at home. Crate training is an easy and quick way to housetrain your dogs since most will not soil in their crate. It can also prevent puppies, adolescents and young active dogs at the peak of their chewing prowess from misbehaving if left alone or if you’re preoccupied working from home.

Here are some things to keep in mind while crate-training your dog:

• There should only be enough room for your dog to stand up and turn around, otherwise they are more likely to soil the crate. You can use boxes or boards to make the crate a smaller space if need be.
• Cover the crate with a blanket but leave the entrance open. Place a bed inside with treats, feed meals inside the crate and give your dog a treat-stuffed toy like a Kong inside. This will make it more comfortable. Do not release them for whining unless they have to go to the bathroom, otherwise your dog will learn to whine in the kennel to be released.
• For crate-training to be effective, your dog must not be confined for longer than he is able to hold it. The general rule for how many hours your dog can hold it is their age in months, plus one. For example, a four-month old puppy can hold his bladder for five hours. From seven months through adulthood, he should be able to hold it for nine hours total during the day (for smaller dogs it may be less).
• If your dog does not want to go to the crate, start putting meals and treats inside and closing the door – with your dog outside. Once he’s excited about getting to his food, open the door. After he’s comfortable going inside start closing the door while he’s eating his meal. Open it again just before he finishes. Slowly build up the time he stays inside.

Training your dog to properly use their crate will ensure you feel more comfortable leaving your dog home while you’re out!

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