Whether you just brought your dog home, or you have had your dog for some time now, this will teach you all about crate training a rescue dog or an adult dog.
The crate can be an awesome tool- if you use it correctly. Shelter dogs have an extra layer to training because they may have some trauma history with the crate. However, this is an important trauma for you to address in order to prevent re-traumatization.
No matter the case, this article will help you decide if you need to use a crate, and exactly how to help your dog love the crate!
Crate Training a Rescue Dog
How to Crate Train an Older Rescue Dog
Crate training is an important skill for any dog to learn, especially rescue dogs. Teaching your dog to love the crate increase their ability to self-sooth and to use relaxation as a reward - instead of treats, pets or verbal praise from you.
Teaching a dog to self-sooth is a completely under-rated skill set for your dog to have, and can prevent behavior problems like separation anxiety, reactivity and aggression.
Additionally, crate training can prevent your dog from being destructive and can expedite potty training.
This skill is especially important for your rescue dog to learn. Your new family member may have traumas, behavior issues, or attachment deficits that can be resolved with the crate, or worse - become more severe without the crate.
No matter how you go about crate training a rescue dog or how old your dog is, the biggest factor that will determine your dog's success with crate training is your attitude.
Should I crate my rescue dog the first night?
The quickest way to crate train your rescue dog is by crating them the first night they are there. Your dog doesn't know what the rules and routines are in your house, so start your dog with a foundation of sleeping in the crate from the day you bring them home.
This will be the quickest and easiest way to allow them to adapt to their new environment. Plus, keeping them in the crate at night will avoid any accidents, destructiveness or any other kind of mischief.
First Night Crate Training a Rescue Dog
The first step in crate training your dog is to pick the right crate. Most dogs do really well with a basic wire crate. Other dogs may prefer an airline crate for more security.
If your dog has a history of escaping, or may have severe separation anxiety (like, anxiety so bad they'll break teeth, nails or windows in order to get to a person) it's best to consult a dog trainer. This will be the most stress-free and quickest way to help you and your dog settle in, and they would be able to recommend an appropriate crate.
Once you've decided what type of crate would fit your dog best, it's important to choose the right size. A dog should only have enough room to stand up and turn around. A crate should be a studio apartment- not a three bedroom house.
Two-Door Wire Crate
Most dogs do well with a basic wire crate. Having two doors also allows more flexibility in where your crate is placed.
If the crate is too big, your dog may use one section as the bathroom, and another section as the bedroom, therefore, slowing down the potty training process.
The next step is to determine where the crate will be. Pick a quiet place in the house that doesn't have too much traffic. Some people prefer to put the crate in the bedroom, others prefer a spare room or the living room.
PS- You absolutely can have more than one crate in the house.
Dog Traumatized by Crate
If your dog has a significant trauma history with the crate - like a car accident, abuse or neglect in the crate, your best bet is consult a professional dog trainer. These issues with the crate may also be influenced by other factors, like their attachment to you, the routines in the house and their genetics.
Think about a car- a car is a super useful tool. It can keep us safe, provide a function and saves us time. A car can also cause significant trauma if an accident happens, or if a traumatic event occurs in the car.
It's not easy to avoid cars and live in fear. In fact, it's almost necessary to overcome those fears. Living in fear of riding in a car will not serve you well if you have an emergency and need to be transported to the hospital.
A crate is just that - a tool. Any crate can be misused, abused, and create lasting trauma. OR it can be a tool that provides security, safety and a helpful tool for you to keep your dog out of trouble.
Crate Training a Rescue Dog at Night
If your dog is scared, they will probably really appreciate the crate as a safe space to rest. However, you'll want to be careful giving them too much control over their space and avoid reaching in the crate.
If your dog growls in the crate, it's best to encourage them to come out, shut the door, ask for a sit and then allow them to go into the crate.
Additionally, be mindful of giving any praise, pets or excitement to your dog when they come out of the crate. The reward is not for leaving the crate- the reward is for being in the crate.
Your attitude will be the biggest factor in success. Do not feel guilty about putting your dog in the crate. If you feel guilty, it's probably time to assess your relationship with the crate.
What makes you feel guilty? Is it a previous experience you had? Does your dog's behavior in the crate make you anxious, nervous or guilty? Is it because YOU wouldn't want to be in the crate? Do not project your emotions onto your dog.
It is a privilege for your dog to have a home that provides them with their very own safe place.
How to Crate Train a Scared Rescue Dog
The easiest way to crate train your rescue dog is from day one, show them that this is how your household works. Leave the crate open throughout the day and let the dog experience good things in the crate, like meal time, interactive toys or treats.
You can experiment with leaving the door open or closed - use your judgement on what is best for your dog here.
Hint: your dog has most likely been in a crate before. Whether it was when they were at the kennel, the vet, the rescue, or being transported.
Even if your dog has never been in a crate, it doesn't mean he won't come across a crate in the future. For example, if you took them to the vet tomorrow, they would put your dog in a crate if they held him for the day.
Having a dog crate trained before an emergency minimizes the risk of trauma for your dog.
Rescue Dog Scared of Crate
It's not uncommon for dogs to be scared, or to vocalize when they are in the crate. It's your job to start pairing their time in the crate with a reward: food, alone time, a frozen kong or even treats.
1. Use treats
This one seems a little obvious, but treats an be a great motivator for any dog. Start with putting treats in the crate and allowing the dog to go in and out and to pick up the treats.
Then, start to give your dog a command to go in the crate - usually "crate" works best here. Reward your dog for getting in the crate, and reward them when they turn around and look at you. If a dog tries to run out of the crate, let them do so.
You don't want your dog to feel trapped in the crate at this point in training. Once your dog is in the crate, experiment with giving treats and offering praise intermittently as you open and close the door.
Your dog gets paid when they are in the crate. Whenever you are ready and your dog has been successful at staying in the crate, you may give the release word and allow them to come out of the crate.
2. You are the crate door - not the crate door
Instead of opening the door to allow the dog to come out, open the door but stand in front of your dog so that you are blocking the door. This will block your dog from coming out. Once your dog makes calm, quiet eye contact with you, say "break" and move out of the way to allow them to come out of the crate.
Your dog should not rush to come out of the crate. In fact, you'll want to get to a point where a dog may stretch before they leave the crate after the door is opened.
Settling a Rescue Dog at Night
3. Allow your dog to spend time in the crate when you're home
Of course your dog isn't going to like the crate if the only time they're in there is when you're not around. YOU are rewarding-- even if it's just your presence. Let your dog enjoy the crate while you're home.
They're probably going to sleep anyway, so just allow them to nap in their crate!
4. Put something of value in the crate, then close the door
If your dog struggles to be in the crate, put a frozen kong or interactive toy in the crate- without the dog. Close the door and let frustration build up.
This way your dog is thinking- "can you please open this door so I can go in my crate and enjoy that thing?"
This is especially good for dogs who avoid the crate if you're trying to leave the house.
5. Play it cool
Paired with #2- The most important part of crate training a rescue dog is this tip! When your dog comes out of the crate, keep your energy calm and boring. If you celebrate when the dog comes out of the crate, the dog will associate the reward with leaving the crate, rather than relaxing in the crate as the reward.
Have a question about crate training your dog? Email us at alex@alexliggett.com
