Crate training an adult dog can be more challenging than training a puppy. When a dog has been accustomed to roaming freely around the house or yard, the process of restricting that freedom can lead to stress and resistance. It’s important to understand that for many dogs, transitioning to life in a crate requires patience and a long-term, thoughtful training approach. The goal is to gradually create a positive experience that reinforces the crate as a safe and comfortable space.
Why Crate Train an Adult Dog
If you have an adult dog who has roamed the house their entire life, you may be asking “why should I crate train, now?”. There are many situations where a crate may be necessary for an adult dog.
- Vet Visits (recovering from surgery)
- Boarding
- Board and Train Programs
- Evacuations (fire and other natural disasters)
- Traveling/Hotels/Airbnbs
- Car Rides
Crate training your adult dog may end up being incredibly useful in the future, even if they are solid at home!
Beginning the Crate Training Process
Before introducing your adult dog to a crate, it’s essential to ensure they’re comfortable being inside it. Leaving an adult dog in a crate for the first time while you’re away can lead to anxiety, panic, or even self-injury. Many dogs have broken teeth or torn toenails trying to escape crates. To avoid these potentially harmful situations, owners should gradually acclimate their dogs to the crate by spending time together in the vicinity and rewarding them for entering the crate voluntarily, and then building up to small times with the crate door shut while they are home and monitoring. This gradual approach allows the dog to build trust rather than feeling confined and isolated, and is significantly safer than simply crating a dog for the first time and leaving for the day.
A Warning About Wire Crates
When selecting a crate for your adult dog, be cautious about using wire crates, especially if the dog has not yet been fully crate trained. These types of crates can pose significant safety risks, as some dogs are capable of escaping or may inadvertently injure themselves while attempting to break free. Instead, consider using a sturdy, secure crate that provides a more enclosed environment, helping to create a sense of safety and security for your dog during the training process while minimizing the risk of injury. For dogs who have a history of self harm, consider a reinforced crate such as a Rock Creek Crate, KBC Kennel, or similar.
Food = Good Feelings!
To help foster a positive association with the crate, it’s can be really helpful to feed all meals inside it. This simple change of routine really helps the dog relate the crate to one of their favorite things…. eating…, reinforcing the idea that the crate is a good place to be. Complement this approach with the use of frozen stuffed Kongs or other safe chews, such as bully sticks or Nylabones, to keep your dog engaged and comfortable while in the crate.
Blankets?
One important consideration during crate training is whether or not to provide bedding. While some dogs may have a tendency to chew and digest bedding, which can result in foreign body risks (and major, risky surgery), others may feel more secure with comfortable blankets or cushions in their space. You’ll need to assess your dog’s behavior and personality to determine the best bedding solution that promotes comfort without compromising safety. Dogs who are having issues with potty training should have no bedding inside the crate, until that issue is resolved.
For dogs who chew bedding but need a little extra comfort, you can consider purchasing a properly sized Primo Pad for their kennel. While these aren’t totally destruction proof, some dogs do very well with them instead of blankets.
When To Use The Crate Initially
As your dog becomes more accustomed to the crate, it’s essential to practice leaving them crated during the day while you are still home, as well as at night during sleep. This practice helps solidify the idea that the crate is a familiar and safe space. Over time, your dog should begin to feel more comfortable being in their crate, allowing you to gradually increase the duration of their actual alone time in the crate when necessary. You can set up a camera on your crated dog once they are doing well and take purposeful trips “away from home”, but close by, so you can come back in case of panic.
Crate training an adult dog requires patience and consistency, but with the right techniques, it ultimately leads to a safer and more comfortable living situation for both you and your furry companion. Remember to celebrate each small success along the way, making the crate a place where your dog feels secure and relaxed.
