All dog parents have to think about what their dogs do during their absence due to work or errands. If you only have one dog and leave it home alone, your furry friend may get lonely and bored. However, dogs can be made comfortable and safe by training them to stay in a crate. It might seem cruel to limit their activity to an enclosed crate, but the impact depends on the dog’s situation and your teaching methods. This article will focus on your concerns and give some advice on crate training your dog.

The reasons and advantages of crate training

The goal of the crate training is to teach our puppy/dog that their crate is a safe and comfortable place that only belongs to them. That it is a special happy place where only good things will happen. So they will voluntarily go into their crate and no crying to be released. In addition, you can be sure that your furry friend is safe and that destructive behavior is prevented while you are not at home. Once your dog gets used to the crate, he will feel comfortable and secure. That means nothing can accidentally hurt your dog, such as broken glass or electrical cables.

In addition, you can potty train your dog during the crate training, because a healthy dog will not eliminate where he sleeps. Let your dog sleep in the crate and go for a walk after he wakes up. A well-trained dog will hold his urine and not do his business until the crate is open. 

Once dogs get used to being locked in the crate, you will have no trouble using the carrier when traveling with them, either by airplane or by car, which is an advantage. 

How long should a dog stay in the crate?

The duration of the stay in the crate is the biggest concern with crate training for owners. Generally, it is cruel to leave dogs alone for more than eight hours and is not good for their health and mood, especially for a puppy. The duration of the stay in the crate depends on the age of the dog. This should follow the rule: the duration should be about one hour for each month of age. For example, a 5-month-old puppy can hold his urine for a maximum of five hours. However, this rule is not a definitive guideline and should take into account a number of factors, such as the breed, size and health condition. And a healthy adult dog has to be released after a maximum of eight hours.

Therefore, if you are an 8-hour-shift commuter and live alone with your dog, we do not recommend that you leave your dog in the crate too long. You better find other practical ways. For example, so that your pooch can stretch the legs and do its business, you could return home at lunchtime or hire a dog sitter. A long wait can trigger separation anxiety in dogs and certain urinary or renal diseases.  

How to crate train my dog/puppy?

1. The training starts with choosing the crate and supplies. 

There are many types of crates you can search for on the internet, such as metal, wooden and plastic ones. Some owners prefer to create a large area with some fences or baby gates containing all the necessary supplies, including puppy pads. But they have taught the dog to use the pads in advance. Some large breeds do not lend themselves to being trapped behind short fences as they can escape from the enclosed area. In terms of dog health, we suggest that you choose a metal or plastic crate because most of them are durable and less damaging to your dog if it chews the crate.

The size of the crate depends on your dog/puppy breed. If it is too small, it will be difficult for your dog to stand comfortably or turn around. However, an oversized crate might give your puppy enough space to eliminate in the crate, making it wet and unhygienic.

The common supplies are water and kibble, but it is not advisable to put too much water or food in the bowls. Otherwise, they can easily be spilled. A water dispenser and a feeding machine are good choices to prevent these accidental problems.

2. Distract his attention and make sure his bladder is empty. To make the crate comfortable and enjoyable, we could put some treats and toys that the dog likes inside the crate. Also, you can give them a shuffle bone puzzle or hide some treats in a toy to keep him busy and entertained for hours. Some dogs love to hear the voice of TV or radio because the conversation can calm him down and give him a sense of security.

Take your dog outside for a walk before or after leaving him in the crate. Bring him to the same spot and ensure he does the business. Then you could do some exercise or game to stretch his body, to use up his energy to quickly fall asleep in the crate or lift his mood after a long period of inactivity. During the training, we should gradually extend the time in the crate and reduce the time of every break.

3. You should not crate your dog when:

 • Your dog is sick, like vomiting or diarrhea.

 • Your dog suffers from separation anxiety when left alone. 

 • Your dog is fighting to escape from the crate. 

 • Your dog does not want to go in the crate because he was previously sent there as a punishment 

 • Your dog is a young puppy and you have to leave the house for more than 8 hours. 

 • Your dog does not go through good potty training. 

If your dog falls into one of the above categories, we suggest that you find other ways, for example:

 • Find a dependable daycare center 

 • Hire a dog walker or a  friend 

 • Bring your dog to work. (You should know that most of the employers reject or prohibit the presence of a dog unless it is a service dog. Click  here to learn your rights and see if your dog is qualified to register as a service dog.)