The Misuse of Crates in Training

One of the things most dog owners will talk about and throw around is 'crate training'.

Crate training is one of those things in dog training, a lot like dominance, that different people talk about a lot, but most of the time they all have very different definitions and meanings.

I'm going to focus this post on what good crate training is, and when crate training turns into doggie prison. I wrote this post because one of the things I'm seeing in my classes and mostly in private consultations is misuse of crates in training. If there's any other trainers reading this I'd be interested to hear if you notice the same trends.

"Crate training" and the use of a crate should have a very limited use in housebreaking your new puppy. First let me say that housebreaking is all about 2 things :
1) A good schedule and
2) good reinforcement

You should know when your puppy needs to go pee - which is first thing in the morning, after any meal or drink, after any play, and after waking up. Puppies generally cannot hold their pee any longer than 1 hour for each month of age. Puppies are pee machines, so every-time you go outside and give puppy a chance, usually they will take it.

When however they don't go after one of the above mentioned times - thats when a crate comes in. You temporarily confine the puppy for a few minutes to ensure he doesn't use the bathroom inside - then after maybe 5 minutes you go outside and try again. Lots of reinforcement going pee in the correct place outside is what makes these confinements less and less necessary.

The crate is also used for when you just don't have the time to watch the new puppy, and your concerned he may get into something, or may go pee in the house. These periods should be brief. Crates can also be used at night when the puppy is sleeping to avoid him choosing any late night pees. Again you will have to get up early because a young puppy cannot hold it for 7 hours a night. This will come later.

If you have to leave puppy for a full day while your at work - don't confine him to a crate. Instead put him in a puppy area - a room in the house where his water bowl, stuffed kongs and food and toys are. Make sure this area also contains a doggie toilet. I recommend using paper with some grass and turf over it to simulate the outside. Remember a young puppy simply cannot hold it for a long time and if your not going to be home, its only fair to give him a toilet. You can also choose to do this at night if you have to, but I prefer waking up early in those first few weeks.

A lot of people will tell you that dogs are 'den' animals and enjoy being in a crate, and that may be true, but if so just leave the crate open. If you dog wants to go in there to chill out - great, but let it be his choice.

The problem I see more and more is the crate becomes a prison - a place where the dog goes whenever there are visitors because he jumps up, or barks, or gets aggressive.

Crates also become a place where the is confined all day because he destroys the house, or barks, or does any other list of unwanted behaviors. Crates become a 'quick fix' for any behavioral issue from separation issues to destructive chewing. While this may 'fix' the problem, your dogs emotional state remains unchanged.

Negative behavior as outlined above is the result of anxiety and other emotional distress. Confinement in a crate will simply make those conditions worse, and likely the dog harder and harder to live with. Your best solution is to contact a qualified trainer to address those issues.

Its my opinion that once your dog is housebroken, there is really no reason for a crate anymore - just be certain to not be asking too much of your dog. If you have to be away from your dog for long periods of time, consider a dog walker, dog daycare, or go home on lunch to ensure your dog gets a chance to get out. No one wants to hold their pee beyond what is comfortable and dogs are no different!

Remember, human babies get to wear diapers and just go bathroom whenever the hell they want - why are dogs just expected to hold it until its convenient for us?