Many people think crate training is cruel to dogs. But in reality it is the opposite.
Training puppies to a crate sets them up for a future of knowing they can be safe anywhere. Even if you don’t use a crate on a regular basis what if you need to in the future. Will your dog adapt?
If in the case of an emergency your dog will be not be traumatized in a crate. Traveling with your dog often requires a dog to be crated in a hotel room if you are not in the room.
Emergency Reasons to Crate Your Dog
- In a hotel when leaving room
- Traveling in a car that is not your own
- Confinement at the veterinarian for illness
- Natural emergency evacuation (hurricane, tornado, etc)
- During Fireworks season
Leah hasn’t used a crate or kennel in YEARS, but occasionally will go into Lady’s crate and hang out. We always look at her funny like…”What are you doing”
In fact Lady caught her Mom in her kennel one day and just could not understand what was going on. It’s almost like she was complaining and telling her to get out of her house. (Lady starts talking at 0:22)
Best Way Crate Train Puppy
The best way to crate train a dog is to start when they are a puppy. Not to say you can’t train an adult dog to a crate. It just takes more time. The methods are the same.
As soon as our puppies learn to walk we introduce a crate. Using a crate great way to potty train puppies because dogs won’t naturally soil where they sleep.
Their puppy blankets are only in the crate. When our pups go home they are used to going in to sleep and relax.
We also use a plastic travel kennel when the puppies go to their vet visits.
Everyday Reasons to Use a Dog Crate for a Boxer
Boxer dogs can be high energy dogs, curious and often get in trouble when left by themselves.
Some Boxers raid the trash cans, others counter surf in the kitchen. Both of these can be dangerous if your dog eats something they shouldn’t.
Other dogs have anxiety and separation anxiety and will chew furniture
Many Boxer families use dog crates everyday. It may be just when they leave the house, or for a few minutes when company arrives.
Our Lady knows when we put on our coat it’s time to go in her crate. We don’t even tell her. She also felt so comfortable in her crate she insisted on sleeping in it at night.
Seriously. We tried to get her to sleep on our bed with us, but would end up whining at the door.
Boxer Dog Crate Training for a New Puppy
When you bring your new puppy home the best way to potty train you pup is to use a crate. But don’t expect your Boxer puppy to adapt to a kennel or crate automatically, even if the breeder used one.
For one your house, the people, the smells are new. Start off by putting the “comfy” blankie your breeder sent home with you inside the crate. The familiar smell and feeling will give comfort.
Leave the door of the crate always open. Let your new puppy explore his new surroundings.
Set a food bowl inside with the food sent home by your breeder. When the puppy goes in, praise and reward with a treat, scratch and love. This sets the tone for a positive experience.
When your new puppy lays down in their crate during the day, close and latch the door. Most likely they won’t even notice. Stay in the room. If the puppy comes to the door and whines. Reassure, and leave the room.
If your puppy is then quiet, even for a minute, come back and reward. Give a treat. Then let them out to play.
How To Crate Train a Puppy at Night
The most challenging part of crate training is making it through the first night. Seriously. This will test your resolve. Your puppy WILL whine the first night. This is a given.
If you have created a daily crate habit the first day the first night will be easier.
- Take puppy outside to pee and poop at the end of the day.
- Bring inside, give love, place in kennel with treat and toys
- Close door. Walk away. Shut off lights
- Go to bed. Wait. Puppy will cry. Wait a couple of minutes.
- Do not turn on light but go to kennel, rearrange blankets. Reassure, give a hug and say “Go to sleep”
- Leave room, puppy will probably still whine.
- Call out,…”It’s okay, go to sleep (enter name)”
- Repeat 5-7 several times.
If you really want this to work do NOT give in and bring puppy to bed. Unless you want a “bed” puppy. Do NOT go to the kennel everytime. This is rewarding an unwanted behavior. (I whine I get attention, I cry I get let out)
Sometimes bringing the crate in the bedroom so the puppy can hear you is helpful.
Extra Large Dog Crates
There are a variety of extra large dog crates on the market now. How to pick is really dependent on your personal style and preference
The best wire dog crates are ones that have an entry door on two different sides. This gives you the flexibility to arrange your dogs home into various areas of your house.
I have both wire dog crates and a large plastic dog crate that Lady claims as her “den”
