Crate Training

Reprinted Courtesy of Delta Society

Professional Standards for Dog Trainers

Crates and Exercise Pens

Crates and exercise pens use confinement to manage unwanted behavior such as soiling the house or destroying objects. Crates fully enclose a dog, while exercise pens have an open top and, usually, an open bottom. Crates are made of plastic, metal, or nylon, with varying suitability for travel, training, and other uses. Exercise pens are collapsible, made of metal or plastic, and somewhat larger.

How they work:
Crates and exercise pens restrict the dog's access to locations, people or other animals outside the confined area.

A crate should be large enough to allow the dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not significantly larger. An exercise pen should be sufficiently tall, sturdy, and well anchored to prevent escape. A crate should be lined with a soft, easily cleaned mat or bedding, if the dog is not likely to chew or swallow pieces of it. The dog should become accustomed to confinement on a gradual basis, without undue stress, through habituation and association with rewards and pleasant experiences.

To learn about how to properly train your dog to use a crate visit: The Dumb Friends League

Benefits:
Crates and exercise pens can be used in the owner's absence or when supervision is not possible (see risks and warnings). They can also serve as a "safe place" for the dog to retreat to throughout life. An exercise pen can provide a temporary enclosed space for elimination and some limited exercise.

Limitations:
Confinement is a management tool, not a routine way of life for a dog. It is not a substitute for training. Crating should be used to prevent behavior problems while the dog is being retrained, with the ultimate aim of eliminating the need to use the crate for confinement.

A dog should not be crated for a length of time that makes adequate exercise and social interaction impossible. Appropriate length of crating time varies according to the dog's age, physical condition, breed, exercise regimen, feeding schedule, and other individual characteristics.

It is very difficult to estimate the maximum amount of time a dog should be crated. The more exercise and social interaction a dog receives, the longer crating time that dog can probably tolerate. The effects of crating on a dog should be monitored regularly. If the dog is soiling an appropriately sized crate, either the length of time spent in the crate should be reduced or the underlying problem resolved.

Risks and warnings:
A dog should not be crated or penned in a location exposed to excessive heat or cold, or to harassment from people or other animals. If the dog becomes distressed, aggressive, or fearful while confined, use of the crate or exercise pen should be discontinued and the underlying reason for this reaction addressed. Any type of collar left on an unsupervised, confined dog is a potential strangling hazard.

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