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Crate training is a practice commonly used by dog owners to help their pets feel safe and secure, whether home alone or just around the house. Crating is often implemented in the early years when dogs are puppies, giving them a clear space that is just their own which can be a great tool when it comes to housetraining.
But what if you want to crate train an older dog? Is this possible? Will it be harder? These are all questions we are here to answer
In this blog we’re going to take you through how to crate train an older dog, different tips and training tools to put in place for a smooth and positive process, as well as answering any of the burning questions you may have about the trials and tribulations of later-in-life dog crate training.
Let’s look at how to teach your senior dog some new tricks!
If you are wondering whether crating is a good fit for your dog, there are a few positive reasons to consider in terms of the benefits of crate training:
Having their own safe, snug and secure little enclosed space can actually make a dog feel very safe and secure. It can offer them some privacy and peace away from stimulation, which is particularly beneficial if there are lots of people or other dogs in the house. Dogs can become easily overwhelmed and so having their own pad to crash in for some alone time can do the world of good.
Crating dogs when home alone can also add to the feelings of security, rather than wandering around an entire house with different smells and noises. Being kept in one area can help a pup feel at peace when left for periods of time.
Crating is often a favorite of anxious dog owners, as the self-contained surroundings offers time away from extra stimulation and gives them an escape itf they need it. Filling the crate with some cozy blanket and their favorite toys can also add to the experience.
By crating a dog when you leave the house it can reduce the risk of coming home to pup pee or poop in your favorite slippers, containing any mess to the confines of the crate. Many dog owners choose to line the bottom of their dog’s crate with pee pads or waterproof blankets to catch any mess.
Getting your dog used to a crate can make things easier when it comes to travel, having a safe contained space to transport them in and keep them feeling calm on the road.
When it comes to older dogs, they have likely been used to a certain routine for most of their life, and the sudden introduction of a crate might not take the way it would if they were puppies.
However it is still possible to successfully crate train an adult dog through following a series of simple steps, including building a positive association with the crate and gradually increasing their crate time:
First things first, you’ll need to set up your crate. There are an abundance of different crate sizes and styles out there to choose from, and depending on your dog’s breed and temperament you may want to consider different materials and crate stability.
Some dogs may prefer a soft material or pop up crate; these can be particularly good for smaller dogs or dogs with a calmer nature, or those more likely to curl up and fall asleep. Of course larger dogs will need more space and may do better in a more structured crate made from metal or wood.
Placement is also key, as you want your dog to feel they have their own quiet corner away from household hustle and bustle. Why not try placing your dog’s crate in a bedroom away from the main social areas of the house, or, if this isn;t an option, draping a sheet or blanket over the crate to give your dog some privacy.
If you are crate training your dog at an older age, it is likely they may not have encountered a crate before. The sudden appearance of a large object in the home can be confronting for them, and it could make them anxious. Dogs navigate the world mainly through smell, and so when introducing your dog to their crate, let them sniff around it and venture inside of their own accord.
NEVER force your dog to go inside their crate and make sure you keep the door open while they get used to it - rushing this process will only hinder their training.
Dogs will very quickly form positive or negative associations with certain things, and so making sure you show them that their crate is a good place to be from the off is a must for successful training.
Many dog owners will make the crate comfy and cozy with blankets and their dog’s favorite toys. You could also try giving your dog their meals inside the crate, so that they come to connect that space with tasty treats and a full tummy.
It may also be worth putting in a pee pad so that your dog can comfortably relieve themselves if needed. Our Potty Buddy Reusable Pads are super comfortable and absorbent, making them a favorite choice of the more flimsy and cheap disposable pads.
Like any training process, slow and steady wins the race. Dogs learn through small, regular intervals of repetition and going from “nothing at all” to half an hour of crate time will only freak your dog out and confuse them.
Try getting your dog used to their crate while you are still at home, perhaps putting them in there for a few minutes at a time, maybe while you shower or do the dishes. You can then increase this time and see how your dog reacts to this.
Dogs are very receptive to sound, especially when it is clear and repetitive. Using words or phrases such as ‘crate’ or ‘in you go’ can be great indicators for your dog as to what you want them to do. Making instruction clear for your dog is super important in any training process, and must be maintained for the best outcome.
Alternatively you can use short, clear vowel sounds paired with an action, for example, pointing to the crate or opening the door, to encourage obedience behaviors.
Ah, the belly of the beast! Leaving your dog home alone in their crate for the first time may feel daunting, both for your dog and for you - are you going to come home to a distressed pup, or even a soiled crate?
In order to crate train a dog successfully, it is important that they feel comfortable in their crate, this is why getting them familiar with it while you are still at home is so important. Also, when leaving your dog alone, ensure they have a good supply of food and water to last until you get home, and never leave your dog alone for more than a few hours.
For the first couple of times, you may even want to set up a pet camera facing the dog crate. That way, you can monitor whether your pup becomes overly distressed by being crated in your absence.
Last but not least, to solidify your dog’s crate training it is important to incorporate repetition. Dogs respond very well to repeated commands and actions, meaning the more you do something the more they will learn.
Letting your dog into their crate several times a day so that they get used to it will remove the fear, and make sure you give them lots of praise - and maybe a treat or two - so they get to know that their crate is a positive place and not a punishment.
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If you’ve never crate trained a dog before, it can be confusing to know where to start, what the dos and don’ts are and how to maintain a successful training process.
Here are a few of the key things to remember when it comes to crate training a dog, particularly an older dog, for the first time:
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when crate training their dog for the first time is keeping them in their crate for long periods of time.
Being inside a crate will be a new experience for your dogs, and if not introduced gradually, it can confuse and scare them. We want our dogs to have a positive association with their crate, and if they are suddenly shut away for hours at a time they may see it as a punishment.
Even if you really want your dog to learn how to be in a crate, this doesn’t mean that it is right for them. Each dog is unique, and there will be dogs out there that just really don’t gel with being crated.
Our pups are very good at giving us clear messages, and they will make it obvious if they really don’t like something. It is our job as pet parents to pay attention to this and to not force things that make them unhappy, and forcing crating can lead to considerable stress and anxiety for your dog.
Any training process can be frustrating when things take a little longer than expected, but the worst thing you can do is to lose your temper with your dog. Dogs do not respond to shouting and negative energy, and this will only frighten your dog further.
You will need to be calm and patient with your dog in order to achieve the training results you want - the safer your pup feels, the more likely they are to have a successful outcome.
It is important that everyone in the house sticks to the same crating rules and commands. If things keep getting changed this can be confusing for your dog and the training may not be as effective.
Get your family involved to help make crating a calm and positive experience for your pup - the more voices of encouragement cheering your dog on the more they will realize that their crate is a happy place.
Sometimes, no matter your efforts, you may find that your dog just won’t listen to you. If this happens it can be easy to get disheartened, but it is always okay to ask for help if you need it.
It could be worth hiring a professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist if you are struggling to implement a successful crating routine with your dog. An expert will be able to isolate any issues quickly and efficiently.
Remember, dogs communicate and take in information in a different way to humans; they are extremely sensitive to energy and body language, and so it is important to remember just how much the way we react affects how our pups react.
This is particularly prevalent in the way we greet and say goodbye to our dogs when practicing crating. If we are overly emotional and dramatic when saying goodbye or hello, this can frighten and overwhelm your dog, giving them the impression that their being left in a crate is a big scary ordeal, and therefore making them anxious. Too much fussing or loud noise, paired with frantic or anxious energy will naturally be picked up by your dog and they will begin to worry why their person is feeling that way.
When it comes to farewells and greetings, try and make them short and sweet, keep a light and upbeat energy and make sure to praise them when they act in the way you want them to.
It is possible that if you adopted your dog at an older age rather than as a puppy, they may have had previous negative experiences with crating, and so will take longer still, if at all, to become comfortable with crating.
Absolutely! If your dog takes well to crating it can make them feel safe, snug and secure. If they seem happy then there is no reason why you cannot allow your dog to sleep in their crate overnight.
A dog can be crate trained at any age, however it is important to remember that it may take older dogs longer to become comfortable with being crated. You may find that they just don’t suit it, and in that case you mustn’t force it.
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