Crate training and restrictions

What is crate training?

With the term crate training, we refer to the process where the dog gets conditioned to use the crate without feeling stressed.

This can be done easier if you start in early stages, but it is not limited to young age per se.

How it helps us and the dog?

• Potty training, it helps the puppy to control its toilet habits.
• It provides peace of mind to the handlers while they are not present and assure that their dog will not destroy anything or hurt itself.
• It's the safest way to travel with your dog.
• Safe way to visit the vet.
• It can be used to confine highly energetic dogs.
• It's an excellent tool if you decide to get a second (or third) dog in order to keep them separated during the introduction.
• Furthermore, if the dog has a habit of begging for food, it is a good way to control the dog while you dine.

There are benefits for the dog as well.

• It's a place for your dog to find shelter when feeling stressed, tired, confused or not feeling well.
• If you have kids or guests that are noisy or intrusive to your dog's space; the dog can find a safe place to chill that will be respected by all.
• If you change places often due to work or other reasons, the dog will need less time to adjust every time because it will use a familiar nest in every new house.

Last, I would like to mention the awful experience I had last year during the forest fires near Athens. With other volunteers, we went to help people and animals that were threatened by the fires. Many wild animals didn't make it. A number of stray dogs and cats as well. Those that were rescued (stray or not), we had to find a way to keep them safe till the fires go off.

A couple of temporary shelters were established in the north suburbs of Athens, hosting at some point several dozens of dogs and cats. The dogs that previously hadn't been crate trained were just not able to stay in the shelters. On the other hand, during this disaster the dogs that were familiar with crates, spend those days in safety and returned to their families the moment the crisis was over.

You never know when it will become a necessity to crate your dog.

Thus, you should do what it takes to provide safety, even if you will never use this skill.

Choose the right size

The crate needs to be around 1,5 the dog size. In particular, the dog should be able to make a half turn inside and also be able to stand.

Larger size could lead to eliminating the benefits of crate training concerning our dogs' toilet habits. This means that there are more possibilities, specifically for our young puppies, to have a potty accident in the crate.  

In the video below, you can watch the result of crate training with Chiri after only a couple of weeks. She runs happily to it every time her handler asks