Crate Training Your Dog or Puppy
For your dog’s safety, I recommend that all dogs be crate trained. This will allow you to safely travel with your dog and will also make your dog more relaxed if he/she needs to be kenneled or hospitalized. Many dogs will practically self crate train, but for some the crate produces anxiety and hysteria.
Crate training should be started by feeding your dog or puppy in the crate. Put the food in the crate and leave the door open, allowing the dog to leave at will. Once your dog is eating comfortably in the crate start to shut the door for a few minutes at a time. At first try to keep the time that the crate is shut short enough that your dog does not become agitated because you want to release the dog when he/she is calm and happy. If your dog is barking or whining, the instant he/she becomes quiet release him/her and practice with shorter times and more interesting food. A Kong filled with frozen canned dog food, peanut butter, or Cheez Whiz will occupy many dogs. The chewing also is pacifying and relaxing.
Gradually increase the time your dog is in the crate. Try to make sure that every time you place the dog in the crate that you are not gone for an entire work day. For dogs with separation anxiety this will cause an association between the crate and the feared separation, making the crate a place of danger instead of safety. When using a crate to house train your puppy, keep the crate in the bedroom so the puppy is not isolated.
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