Crate Expectations: How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Training Your Dog
Crate training can be a great way to provide your pup with a comfortable and safe space, but it's important to do it right to avoid common mistakes that can cause stress and anxiety for your dog.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when crate training your puppy or dog:
Not choosing the right size crate. Choosing the right size crate is crucial for your dog's comfort and safety. The common thing you will hear is to choose a crate that's big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably. In my experience, that’s often too small. If your dog is potty trained, I recommend purchasing the largest size crate that your space can accommodate. If you have a very large breed, you might be limited here, though, in that case, you might be better off with just leaving your dog in a bedroom. If your dog is not yet potty trained, stick with the traditional advice and upgrade once they are 100% on potty training.
Leaving your dog in the crate for too long. I love crating, but I don’t recommend crating for long stretches. Please avoid leaving your dog in the crate for too long, as this can cause them to become stressed and anxious. A good rule of thumb is to crate your dog for no more than 2 hours at a time. If you must, you can crate your dog for slightly longer than that, but you should have a solid plan in place to account for the circumstances. So, if you must crate for 4 hours, you should give your dog plenty of exercise, water, food, and potty breaks before crating. Young puppies should not be crated more than 1-2 hours at a stretch.
Not providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Please make sure your dog gets plenty of time outside of the crate. A tired and mentally stimulated dog will be more likely to relax and enjoy their crate time.
Not having a transition system. I find that so many of the people who contact me with crating problems don’t realize they need to have a system in place for transitioning their dog into the crate. They just go from their dog having complete freedom in the house to shutting him in the crate, and then the dog is barking or anxious. Instead, there needs to be a transition system in place to help your dog shift gears, especially for most dogs under the age of 3.
Remember, crate training should be a positive experience for your dog, so make sure to avoid these common mistakes to ensure that your dog has a safe and comfortable space to call their own.
Your dog can learn to love their crate and feel safe and secure while in it.
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