Why Dog Crates Are Not Dog Cages #30
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- In this episode, I am talking about one of my favourite things to train. If you love your dog, I'm asking you to listen with an open mind, because we're talking about comfort with confinement, a topic inspired by a note from one of my online students.
In the episode you'll hear:
• Why should you care about crating your dog.
• About the importance of safety for your puppy or dog.
• The one thing that makes comfort with confinement essential for your dog’s wellbeing.
• How to help dogs with separation anxiety.
• What type of crate to use for your dog and how I choose my crates.
• Where you should put your puppy’s crate.
• How I use a “gated community” that combines a crate and ex-pen.
• Why to be intentional about crating.
• How long your dog or puppy should be in a crate.
• The time to invest in helping your dog be comfortable with confinement.
• Why not to be in a hurry to close the crate door.
• The progressions to ensure crate comfort and security for your dog.
Resources:
Rover Modular Pet Enclosures - dogsthat.com/ro...
Crate Games Online - get.crategames...
Video Blog: Bult In Dog Crates for Home Decor - susangarrettdo...
Gunner Crate Crash Test - gunner.com/pag...
Blog Post: All About Dogs Sleeping in the Bedroom - susangarrettdo...
Podcast Episode 26: Pro Dog Training Tips to Get Your Puppy to Sleep All Night - • Get Your Puppy to Slee...
Blog Post: A Day in the Life of a Susan Garrett Puppy - susangarrettdo...
P.S. Subscribe to our UA-cam Channel so you get notifications of new videos!
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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.
A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.
Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 82 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
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Crates are super important and Susan gives us the whys and hows in her funny and entertaining style. We love crates at our house!
Gems: comfort with confinement is so important for travelling, having calm vet overnight stays / visits, emergency situations or if you have to board your dog somewhere. We are still working on crate games with all three of my dogs.
I Love Crate Games Squared and so do my Bosties and strongly believe in using Crates especially when not home for their safety ❤❤❤❤⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I've even gotten feedback from a fireman that they are more likely to go in to get a dog in a crate than if the dog is loose. People are really doing the dog a disservice by not getting them used to being alone in a crate and alone period - crate or not. If they are not used to it or don't like it though, you have to get them used to it gradually. Even taking them on vacation, if you leave them in the room, they cannot bark.
the dog could just be let out if there was a fire. a dog in a cage will choke long before the frie brigade get there. you disgust me
As part of a rescue group I have had 100% success with crate training. 🙂 The only problem I have ever encountered was with a huge 9 month old pup we named Scooby-Doo. He was so big and needed to stretch out after a few hours so he got the couch a lot but he always happily went into his crate just not for more than a few hours.
Another factor is the temperature. I currently have an over weight dog and the house is extremely hot this time of year so an oversized crate on the deck is all I can use so I set her up for success. 🙂
Some people told me I was lazy because I crate my dogs. I'm sorry but crate training is a lot of work! A crate is a great tool to use. It's not cruel, it's not by laziness. This is for their safety and yes for my peace of mind too. They don't frantically bark at the window if I'm gone, they don't eat the couch, they don't pee or poop in the house.
I heard about a guy who lost his 3 dogs in a fire house. Firemen saw their bowls and looked for them. But it was too late. The dogs were dead by the time they found them. They hid themselves behind the furnace. A fireman came back to the owner later to tell him that if the dog had been crated they could have find them easily and saved them.
Both my dogs love their crates. I leave the door open and during the day they’ll both go lay in their beds in there. However, at night I let them sleep with me but they recently been chewing the bed frame and it’s causing health issues. The past few nights Ive crated them for their own protection and they’re perfectly fine with that!
I absolutely agree, i think they are so much more important than what a lot of people think.
My mothers dog was really poorly and had to stay in the vets, and she got a call from them to say that they had to sedate her because she was freaking out in the little kennel/unit that she was in. i truly believe if she had been crate trained this wouldn't have been the case.
Another facntastic and informative video. Thank you :)
SO SMART! I love to see human trainers use the full capacity of our bigger brains!
Crate training is essential for travel, vet visits and similar situations yes. Crate sessions for puppies are important. Crating in the house for longer periods of time will never be my way. It's actually against national animal wellfare guidelines in Norway. They should be able to regulate body temperature by changing what their laying on, be able to stretch and change position and have access to water. I prefer confining young or restless dogs with pens, leashing if I'm in the same room, sectioning of rooms or similar. That being said my dog spents most of her down time in her crate by her own free will 😆
I'm listening and learning a lot!! I love my dogs!!!!!!
Great information. ❤
Thank you Linda! Crate training is sooo important! ❤️
Hi Susan, one of my clients has a rescue that was most probably crated for very long times and is traumatised by the crate. For personal reasons she had to put him in the car in a crate because of legislation. No way the dog wanted to get more that two front paws in. Forcing was no option, but she had to leave with the dog and the car. We opted to put the top and bottom of the crate one into the other to create a dogbed and then the dog accepted to get in. According to the law she's probably not oke, but otherwise she would still be in the parking lot ;-) Advised her to get to work on crate games to try and change the perception of this dog on being confined. Hopefully with a lot of patience this will work in time. Like you I'm all against crating a dog for a whole day when people go to work, but for safety reasons limiting his acces with baby gates or in a crate is a lifetool a dog needs to live more relaxed in our human society. Mine learned to love their crates, now I'm not using them a lot anymore. There's still one in the office and they love to sleep in it. I think it's all about using commen sense. People put door blockers on kitchen cabinets to avoid small children acces to toxic products. I see crates as the same tool. Thanks for your video.
Love the podcast! I am reminded of going through a Tim Horton's drive through and my dog was in a crate in the back seat- the gentleman at the window looked at the crate and said "oh I could never do that to my dog" - I wasn't quick enough to answer - Why is it OK for children to be strapped into a car seat in which their movements are very restricted for their own safety but not OK for my dog to be crated for its' own safety? I also think a crate is a great idea when their are young children in the house as they can be taught (if they are not too young) that when the dog goes into his crate that is his space and he is to be left alone.
Many years ago I remember reading a story of a hunting dog who had just qualified for his field trial championship; his owner celebrated by allowing the dog to ride in the truck cab. An accident happened and the dog died in his owners arms after hitting the windshield and breaking his neck. 😔 So sad.
I get crap from my husband about crating her in a vehicle or at night. Funny how Sapphire got car sick for the first time since I picked her up in February and what do you know, she was in a crate and it contained the icky! We are in crate games and it is going ok but she doesn't love her crates and still doesn't go in easily when I need to leave her at home. We are still working on her loving her crate!!
Love this!!!
I love Crate games.
So
Will you put your new puppies crate near the other dogs crates when she is 1st brought into your home? Or will you keep the puppy’s crate in a different area?
Thank you so much.
These podcasts have given me so much clarity about how dogs behave and how we humans behave, I cannot thank you enough!
clam shell crates are best for older dogs who may have issues getting up. Like Susan said, what if you have to evacuate to a hotel room? Most dogs can handle it easily, though.
I am a little confused. We know the pup will be put in the crate and the door closed the very first day they come home (at least at bed time) so how then can I take the time to work with the crate and not close the door to build up time? Those two things are mutually exclusive and not all of us have the opportunity nor local support to have people who can babysit while we go to the store or cook dinner etc.
I think I crates are over used. My dogs sleep in their crates and travel in their crates. The crate is always available. But leaving a dog in a crate for 6 hours at a time while you work just isn’t okay. Puppy proof a room in your house or get an x pen. I also think they are abused for house training as well. Use a crate if your dog doesn’t go when you take him out. Put him in the crate and try again in 15 minutes. Don’t put a young puppy in a tiny crate for 4 hours because you can’t take him out.
I'm assuming that not leaving a dog in a crate for more than a few seconds at a time doesn't work for puppies. I mean, they have to sleep in the crate right away. Right?
Susan should I put my two litter mates in one crate?
I'm convinced and my dog loves his crate. The big question is though, has Susan persuaded her mum yet? :)
delusions run deep in your family it seems
So question…got my dog to sleep through the night in the crate but he has a total fit if I’m out of the room. I have left him and when no one else is in the house I’m not sure if he’s quiet or not, but I sneak in and find him quiet until of course he hears me. I think the games will probably be my next step. Mind you he’s 6 mos old now. He a mini Aussie and has a bit of anxiety, so I worry that leaving him until he’s 100% good in there will add to the problem of him liking it. I didn’t have a choice the other day, but I’ve just not been real diligent. Going to look into the games.
Hi Annette, it's awesome you want to set him up for success. There's another great podcast video to help you out, here's where you can watch: ua-cam.com/video/FTi3dQ_Y2A8/v-deo.html
Hi Susan and the Dogs That Team! I was wondering if you have any information on separation anxiety? Or maybe could mention it on a podcast? We got a puppy in August and my partner and I have been on and off work due since then due to lockdowns. I'm trying to keep his routine semi-normal and giving him some alone time in his crate and Ex pen in the times I would normally be at work, but he's still around me more than he normally would be. I've heard all these horror stories of Covid puppies developing separation anxiety. I'm wondering if there are steps to prevent this or if separation anxiety isn't something you can condition away? I've heard other opinions on this but would love to hear your take! :)
Hi. I have a 9 month old lab - he spends quite a bit of time in his crate-playpen combo area, when he is unsupervised. He goes in and out of the crate to playpen as he pleases. He is potty trained etc. I am planning to retrain him with your crate games online, as I want to build some more value for the place for him. One question is - can the playpen be a substitute for the crate when playing crate games ? Main reason is he is almost too big for his 42 “ crate and mostly uses his crate for sleeping. I tried playing a bit of it and he seems to be doing pretty well but he can’t sit very comfortably in his crate and I am not planning to get a bigger crate for him if the playpen would work as a substitute. Thanks
for place, use a down stay on a bed out of the crate. When a really big dog gets old and has a hard time getting up, crates get really hard. Get him to stay in that bed out of a crate.
My mom for 2 years has scolded me for trying to crate training my dog with bad seperation anxiety granted I did not crate train properly but Milo was DIFFFICULT from puppyhood to adulthood
Tried showing this video to her for 2 years. She still calls me cruel
When I go to pick up my 8 week old puppy in a couple of weeks he will need to be crated for the 6 hour drive home. I will be alone and this will be for his safety and mine. This goes against what you say of putting them in and closing the door without previous training. Any comments or suggestions.
Not to worry. you have to get home safely.
Great question Helen...and that is a super common scenario. I would 1. Ask the breeder if they can be crating him during his last week there...first with another puppy then alone...even for just a few hour nap. 2. Even if the breeder can't/won't do that, all you will need to do is tire him out a bit prior to putting him in the crate in the car and he may not even make a peep! Stop after a few hours, feed, play, potty break then back in the car. Enjoy your new puppy!!!
I hope the following doesn’t sound like criticism or that I am against the use of safe confinement as part of puppy training or that in any way I doubt that Susan’s use of “crates” is anything less than appropriate I just have a few ideas/ concerns on the concept.
Firstly why if confining the dog is so good are cages rebranded as crates? Dictionary definition of a crate is a box to pack things in. Cage being a structure that birds or animals are confined in. Surely its not that it’s a cage but how is used?
I like the crate games and am happy with my puppy spending short periods confined in a pen for safety but my concern is that so much support for “cage” use and the rebranding as “crate” is making people think its ok to get a dog and keep it in a cage for many hours while they work etc.
Is the den idea also giving people the idea its kind? Dens firstly wouldn’t have locked doors and don’t dogs only use dens when they have puppies?
Lastly re housetraining- if puppies can learn its ok to pee inside when owner not about if the training is done incorrectly then isn’t it also possible that the use of a den substitute teaches puppy to be clean in the den and anywhere outside it is toilet area? Current puppy tried using cage method and took ages previous pups just taken out of the house and praised and was much quicker but this might be down to the individual dog or me. Just seemed like he said “she loves it when I pee so she will like it in the house even more!”
I guess what I am saying is are you risking people taking the message its ok to lock your dog up for most of a 24 hour period and not listening to all the other things you say about how to use them? 🤞🏾you are not offended...
Not at all offended Andrea, and I always appreciate the input from one of my listeners. I have no problem rebranding cage to crate. Energetically it creates more of a positive feeling for me. Just as I like to think I am going to "play" every day rather than work. :). In addition, animals who live in a cage live there pretty much their entire lives...not so with a crate. English is a funny language and certainly, there are many words that have different meanings depending upon how you using the word. For example, you have read this response but did you really read it? LOL Thanks for your comment Andrea.
Susan Garrett Ah I see its not that you are saying call it a crate to take away the negative connotations of caging dogs but taking away the negative use of cages so dogs can benefit from the positive aspects. I have certainly had a dog in the past who sought out confined spaces to feel secure. I love the way you are with dogs and how nice you don’t mind questions. 😀
So a dog may have to be in a crate overnight at a vet....im going to confine him everyday?
Yes. If you teach the dog to feel comfortable and safe in a crate every day, then they won't be traumatized when the vet makes them sleep in a crate over night. Dogs are also descendants of wolves, who confine themselves in a den for safety. So it's natural for them to feel safe and secure in a den-like area (crate). It also keeps the dog safe. So many benefits. It's not saying to lock your dog up all day. Obviously you still have to get them physycal and mental exercise every day. But the crate is for down time/rest time!
I am a big believer in crate training, I purchased crate games and we are actively training it. My puppy is 9 weeks old. He is sleeping in his crate and we’ve had several good nights. When I put him in his crate so I can shower he is crying and whining. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? I want him to love his crate and think it’s a safe place to go especially because I’m single and don’t have any other options for him when I have to shower and do those sorts of things. I don’t want him to develop separation anxiety. Please help.
Hi Michelle, these 2 resources will be helpful for you:
Blog: Puppy Sleeping Arrangements
susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/03/dogs-sleeping-in-the-bedroom/
Podcast Video: Pro Dog Training Tips to Get Your Puppy to Sleep All Night
dogsthat.com/podcast/26/
Lisa (Team DogsThat)
I’m not having any issues with him sleeping in it by my bed. He might whine for a minute, but then he settles down. It’s mostly been when I get into the shower or put him in the crate to cook dinner or if I close him off in his ex pen to bring in stuff from the car.
Hi Susan, thanks for this video. I just got a 13 weeks puppy. I've had him in the house for three days now. He has a playpen and a crate that I haven't started using. At night, he sleeps in his dog bed in my bedroom. No accidents at night, so far. But when I let him outside of the playpen and got distracted he peed in front of my kitchen door a couple times ( I fear it is becoming a habit).
I want to do the crate training, and I want to do it right. I understand its value. I am just not sure how/when to start putting him in the crate. I started doing some of your puppy games in the playpen and used the bottom part of this crate as well. Every potty training video I've seen says 'use the crate', but my puppy doesn't stay in his crate, not yet. My question is, do I keep building up the crate confidence before forcing him to stay in the crate or do I put him there and just keep doing the games so the anxiety decreases over time. For the playpen, he enters willingly when called, snapping fingers most of the time, and then he cries for two seconds and calms down.
Also, once he stays in his crate, do I need to crate him at night as well, even if he spends 3-4 hours in the crate during the day?
thanks in advance!!
Hi Elizabeth, Susan's Crate Games Online might be a big help for you. Here's the link with info:
get.crategames.com/
@@bindigilliespree6245 thank you!
My dog got into a big pack of xylitol mints (I didn’t know they had Xylitol at the time but I decided to check, thank goodness I did) and had to be taken to the vet, coming back from overnight I swear she was about to replace us with the vet staff lol
So sorry that happened to you and your dog, hopefully they're fully recovered now. That's one of the reasons crate training is so important, thanks for sharing ❤️
Baby puppies is REAL. 0-9 weeks are babies!! 10-20 weeks are young puppies, 3 months - 6 months are puppies. 7 months- 1 year are older puppies. My dogs are 5-12 years old (they're still my pups!)
Great and interesting video. You might wanna be careful with your volume when you get excited/intense about a subject cause you are ripping headphones user's ears. I got to your video for one reason and it's title seemed to suggest I'd find my answer in it. I've been curious about why the dog people community use the term crate instead of cage. I suspect it's based in some sort of misplaced virtue signaling from people that seem to attribute some sort of pejorative value to the word cage. Every dictionary I consulted so far gave me reason. It's just a tool. I don't understand why people want to blame a tool instead of who, how and why it's used. I hope you and your dogs are doing well in those trying times.
hmmm....just thinking...maybe people dont get puppy means BABY and they need limits and enclosures. Think crib, car seat, play pen. Older, untrained dog also needs protection when you cant supervise. BUT NOT a substitute for taking your dog out regularly. You still need to do the work to train them, take them out to pee and poop and exercise. I have seen both extremes.
You said “she” when referring to your new puppy...is that a hint????😀😀
People use them as cages