Crating a Pet for Too Long

An important part of training your pet, crates prevent inappropriate elimination or other destruction of your home. Although crating is a useful tool, never crate pets for longer than they can control their bladder or bowels.

  1. Crating

    • When training dogs to use a crate, make all experiences positive ones, otherwise the dog will react badly or violently to the crate, viewing the experience as punishment. Negative experiences include crating your pet for very long periods of time, the absence of owners during crating and no attention while crated.

    Effects

    • Pets crated for periods of time greater than four to six hours will develop crate-aversion, nipping or biting when put in the crate, or barking or digging frantically at the crate when inside. Once pets eliminate in the crate due to prolonged confinement, the sanctity of the crate is ruined and it is no longer useful in house training.

    Considerations

    • For effective crate training, pets should view the crate as a positive space and place of comfort, containing blankets and favorite toys. To prevent prolonged confinement, arrange for a friend or dog walker to stop in during the day when at work or leave dogs at a daycare facility.