The goal of kennel training is that a dog will willingly go into the crate or any other enclosure (e.g. cage at the veterinary office) for any reasonable period of time. A properly kennel trained dog will perceive the crate as his “den” or “bedroom”, and will often spend time inside the kennel when bored.

Crate training is an excellent thing to do for any dog. Since dogs are den animals by instinct, it crates a “Safe Place” for the dog. The crate should not be used as a punishment, and should be introduced to the dog as young as possible.

When purchasing a crate, choose one just large enough for the dog to stand, turn around, and lie down in, as an adult. If too large at first, place a box in the back. If there is any chance you will be air shipping the dog, choose a molded plastic “airline approved” crate. If you think it is more likely you sill car travel with the dog, choose a collapsible “Wire” crate. If you use the wire type, it is best to drape a blanket or towel over the crate to give the dog the sense of being in an enclosed den. If it is left open, the dog senses that others can see him, but he cannot escape. The steps to crate training are:

1. When you bring home the crate, act very interested and try to get inside yourself (at least your head)

2. Put a comfortable pet pillow inside. The crate should be the most comfortable place the pet is allowed to lie. Leave the door always open at first, and if possible, remove the top half to be as open as possible.

3. Initially, feed the dog in the crate every meal. Then take out food and put back the pillow for naps. The goal is for the dog to go into the crate without hesitation. When you start feeding elsewhere, still take a few kibbles, and toss one into the crate, and use the command, “Kennel!” to mean “go inside.”

4. Ignore the dog when out of the care. All attention occurs when inside (Until crate trained)

5. Hide treats or favorite toys inside the crate. Begin to close the door for a few seconds.

6. Praise and give a food treat for entering the crate. Ignore him when exiting.

7. Overnight is the first time to lock him in for hours. Initially, put crate next to your bed at night. Move it after several nights if desired, once the pup is used to sleeping in the crate.

8. If he whines, take him to his elimination area. If he only wants attention, don’t give it and put him back into the crate. There should be no reward for waking you up.

9. If he continues to whine and you know he doesn’t need to eliminate, try saying, “Quiet”, then rap on the crate to startle him. Then after 5 seconds of silence, gently praise silence (Good Quiet.) Gradually increase the interval between praising if quiet. (10 seconds, 20, 30, 1 minute, etc.)

10. No trespassing of children allowed inside the crate. (A dog can get away from children in his safe place, including no teasing or pestering while crated)

If he messes in the crate, don’t punish, just clean it up and re-evaluate the feeding and confinement schedule. Consider removing food and water earlier in the evening, and take out later before bed.

A tool related to the crate is the tether. This is a 3 ft lead used to tie the dog to a solid object IN YOUR PRESENCE (e.g. while reading or watching TV.) The idea is to bond the dog to you, confine movement to prevent house soiling, and get the dog used to the useful notion of being tied. This is called, “Close Tethering.”