Crate Training Basics
For those unfamiliar with the concept of crate training a puppy, the crate is not a prison created to stop the puppy wrecking the house, but his place of safety, equivalent to a den. In nature a puppy's first den is where he is born and safe, even when Mum isn't there, so a better term than crate training would be den-training.
Why Bother with Crate Training?
There is a right and wrong way to use dog crates. The wrong way is to treat the crate as a prison or a place to confine the dog, and a cop out from proper training. The right way is to use the crate to plumb into the dog's basic instinct to have a lair, which associates with comfort and good things.
Of course the benefit for the puppy owner is that a crate helps with house training, and for those times when the puppy is left alone, there is the reassurance of knowing the puppy is out of harm's way.
The wrong sized crate, or a crate set up incorrectly, will hinder training, so here is what to look for in the ideal puppy crate.
The Ideal Puppy Crate
Size: Too big and the puppy will see it as a space, rather than a den, and soil in the area. Too small and the puppy will be uncomfortable. The correct size allows the puppy to stand up without banging his head, and lie down with his legs stretched out. You may need to think about two crates - a puppy, then adult size.
Cozy cover: The puppy should not feel exposed, so cover one end with a towel, or provide a cardboard box on its side (it will get chewed!) so as to give the feel of a dark, enclosed area
Bedding: When you bring puppy home for the first time, ask the breeder for a blanket his mother slept on. Putting this inside gives him a familiar scent and therefore security.
Placement: If you put the crate in an area of high traffic, such as a lounge room, put it in a secluded spot where the puppy can rest without being disturbed. Alternatively, put the crate in a quieter room, where the puppy has greater privacy.
Draughts: Make sure the crate is in an airy room, but free from draughts. Since he cannot leave the crate if he gets too hot, and in summer make sure he's not in direct sunlight.
Training Puppy to Like the Crate
Putting the puppy in, locking the door, and walking away is not crate training.
Instead, you need to motivate the puppy to go into the crate of his own free will. You do this by helping him associate the crate as a great place where nice things happen. To start with, keep puppy in one room which contains the crate, so he knows where the crate is and can get to it quickly.
Leave the crate door open. Feed him in the crate (with the door open at first). At other times hide treats in the crate so that he associates exploring the crate with a nice surprise.
As he learns that meals happen in the crate, shut the door for a short time as he eats. Gradually extend the amount of time the door is shut. Only open the door when he is quiet and settled (rewarding good behavior) and give him a big fuss. Ignore barking or crying (if you let him out now, he's trained you to respond to his barking and will bark more in future).
This gradual process raises the question of what to do at night. You have two options.
1) The first few nights, put the puppy in a large cardboard box and let him sleep at your bedside. This enables you to get him used to the crate, in preparation for him overnighting there. However, this is a balancing act. Get him too used to being at your bedside and he'll expect it every night.
2) Start as you mean to go on and put him in the crate the first night. Expect him to cry, but if you ignore him, eventually he will settle. Remember, only let him out of the crate when he is quiet (rewarding the good behavior!)