Crate Training & Separation Anxiety

If your dog follows you from room to room, and becomes upset whenever you leave, he may have separation anxiety. A dog with separation anxiety can be highly destructive, destroying floors and windows, as well as urinating and defecating throughout the house. Anxious dogs may also destroy items in the house while you are away. Fortunately, proper crate training can help your dog feel comfortable while you are out of the house.

  1. Understanding Separation Anxiety

    • Dogs are pack animals that need social interaction to feel secure. Dogs also become very attached to family members. Anything that disrupts the family dynamic, and too much time spent alone can cause separation anxiety. It is important that your dog has a sense of pack stability, which can be shattered when the only family he's ever known gives him away. For this reason, adopted dogs may be particularly prone to separation anxiety.

    How Crate Training Helps Separation Anxiety

    • Your dog's crate should always be a safe place for him to go. According to the Humane Society, the crate functions as a surrogate for your dog's natural instincts as a den animal. By training your dog to think of his crate as a safe and enjoyable place, as well as leaving items like blankets or clothes that carry your scent in the crate, you can greatly reduce your dog's anxiety over your absence.

    Choosing the Right Crate

    • Be sure that you purchase a crate that is right for your dog to make him comfortable. Wire crates allow more visibility and air flow, while plastic crates are usually required by airlines, important if you plan to travel with your dog. The size of the crate is very important. Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around, stretch out and still have room for food and water dishes in his crate to ensure his comfort.

    Crate Training Basics

    • It is important that your dog associates feelings of security and happiness with his crate. Never send your dog to his crate as punishment, and don't leave your dog in the crate for more than four to six hours maximum. Get your dog accustomed to his crate by putting favorite toys and new bones in the crate. Allow your dog to become comfortable entering and leaving the crate before you try closing the door. If your dog seems afraid of the crate you need to slow the training process down. Fear of the crate will only increase separation anxiety problems.

    Additional Factors in Handling Separation Anxiety

    • Crate training your dog is not a cure-all for separation anxiety, particularly in cases of severe anxiety. Combine other methods with crate training to help your dog overcome anxiety. This can include gradually lengthening the time you leave the dog, and getting the dog calmly accustomed to your leaving and returning. Training your dog to feel comfortable in his crate, and with your comings and goings may take time, but eventually his anxiety will decrease.