All of our service dogs in training are crate trained. Until
they’re 16 weeks old, they ride in a crate in the car. At home or at the
office, our puppies spend time in crates. They’ll spend time crated while
they’re in advanced training, and they will most likely spend some time in a
crate after they’re placed as working service dogs.
The goal is for the dog to go into their crate on cue
(“kennel”) and then be able to spend at least 8 consecutive hours quietly
relaxing inside with the door closed. The dog should be able to relax quietly
in their crate overnight, during the day, when they’re alone, and when people
are around.
There’s a misconception that crate time is a punishment, but
that could not be farther from the truth. A dog’s crate is their safe spot.
Think of the crate as the dog’s bedroom. It’s a place to relax, where they
don’t need to think about working.
Why is crate training
so important?
There are many reasons why crate training is important for
service dogs.
Crates are a way for
puppy raisers to manage their dog’s behavior.
If the raiser has errands to run and cannot take their puppy
with them, crating the dog can prevent that dog from getting into mischief
while they’re home alone. For example, crating the dog will prevent them from
forming bad house manners, such as hopping on furniture or countersurfing.
Our dogs never outgrow crate time. Crate training is
actually part of a dog’s good house manners, and dogs that cannot spend time
quietly in their crate may be discharged.
Dogs spend time in
crates during advanced training.
When our dogs in training come to the kennel for advanced
training, they will be spending time in a crate. We may have anywhere from
15-20 dogs in advanced training at one time. While the dogs spend time working
with our trainers and going out in public with our volunteers, they don’t train
for the entire day. They need time to relax, and one place where they do that
is in the crate.
Crates give service
dogs a place to relax.
We recommend that our partners get a crate for their dog. It
gives the dog a place where they know they can relax stress-free. For facility
dogs that are supporting many people or children, the crate becomes even more
important. Working with an entire classroom of students is very challenging for
a service dog. In fact, it takes a special temperament to be able to do this
work because it can be very stressful. Having a crate—a safe spot—gives
facility dogs a stress-free zone to relax, take a nap, or chew on a bone.
Crates are a place
where service dogs can safely sleep.
It’s the partner’s choice whether their service dog is
allowed on the bed. Not all of our partners want their service dog to sleep in
bed with them. Depending on the person’s disability, it may not be possible for
the service dog to sleep in bed. For example, a person may use certain medical
equipment at night, or it could be that any movement by the dog on a bed causes
the person pain. The crate becomes the perfect place for the dog to sleep,
eliminating the possibility that the dog will help themselves to the bed during
the night.
How to crate train
your dog
To help your dog enjoy being in their crate, start by
putting the crate in an area where your dog will still be able to see people.
You don’t want your dog to be isolated from everyone when they’re in their
crate. You can also include a soft blanket and a safe, favorite toy.
Introduce your dog to the crate simply by tossing a piece of
dog food inside. Let your dog go inside to eat it, but leave the door open. If your
dog chooses to stay inside the crate, great! Leave the door open and keep
tossing kibble inside every few seconds. If your dog chooses to exit the crate
during this exercise, that’s okay, too.
Once you’ve introduced the crate, feed your dog a meal
inside it at least once a day. Soon, your dog will associate good things (food
and mealtime!) with the crate.
When your dog is inside the crate, it’s really important NOT
to let them out if they whine or bark. If you let them out every time they whine
or bark, they’ll learn that making noise is the way to get out of the crate.
Only let them out after they’ve been quiet for a little while. This part of
crate training can be very challenging for puppy raisers because some dogs can
be very determined barkers! But stay strong and wait them out. You, our
trainers, and the dog’s future partner will all benefit.
Once your dog is comfortable being quiet in their crate,
move the crate to different locations and add challenges! Your dog should be
able to relax quietly and calmly in their crate when:
- Other dogs are crated nearby
- Other dogs are off leash around the crate
- You're working with another dog (Team up with a friend if you don't have two dogs available.)
- The crate is outside
- Adults or children are playing or working nearby
- The doorbell rings or someone knocks on the door
- There's a thunderstorm
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