Leaving a Dog in a Crate

Your dog's crate might have more uses than you think. It is a safe place to leave your dog when you are not home and before the dog is housebroken or learns not to chew on household items. Your dog should think of the crate as a safe, secure area where relaxation and comfort can take place. If you can foster these feelings with your dog, then you can leave your dog in the crate without worry.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate
  • Bedding
  • Toys
  • Treats
  • Dog food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a crate that is the right size for your dog. Your dog should be able to comfortably stand up, turn around and lie down.

    • 2

      Make the crate a comfortable spot for your dog. Add some bedding, preferably scented with your dog's smell, as well as some favorite toys.

    • 3

      Associate the crate with pleasant things. Keep it somewhere in the house that gets a lot of activity like the living room. Be positive about the crate. Talk in a pleasant voice when you start crate training and praise your dog once inside the crate.

    • 4

      Put some treats inside the crate when your dog enters it for the first time. Do not force your dog to go all the way into the crate, because it is best when the dog goes in voluntarily. Be aware that this could take a few days.

    • 5

      Give meals in the crate once the dog willingly goes all the way inside to eat the treats. You might need to move the food dish toward the door a little to get your dog to go inside. Close the door only after your dog is comfortably eating. Then, let your dog out as soon as the food is gone.

    • 6

      Leave your dog inside the crate for incrementally longer periods of time after the food is gone. If your dog barks, whines or looks anxious, open the door. This may indicate that you need to let your dog out sooner.

    • 7

      Crate the dog when you leave the house for an hour or two. This step should take place once your dog comfortably spends at least half an hour inside the crate. Praise your dog briefly for entering the crate. Then leave the house without any more goodbyes. When you get home, let your dog out but do not reward overly excited behavior. Emotional goodbyes and hellos teach your dog to be anxious when you're gone.

    • 8

      Keep your dog in the crate overnight once you succeed in leaving the dog alone for a few hours during the day. Keep the crate in or near your bedroom at first. Puppies and dogs that are not housebroken may need to be let outside after about four hours during the night.

    • 9

      Use the crate responsibly. Your dog should only be placed in the crate until training is completed. Then, it can still be used as a place where your dog goes voluntarily. Also, do not leave your dog in the crate for more than several hours at a time. Puppies and dogs that aren't house broken should never be left in the crate for more than four hours.