Crates can be a controversial topic with some dog owners.
I know for a fact that crates are a useful tool in training and living with dogs:
- House training / potty training for puppies
- Management & safety at home (visitors, multi-dog households, rest, meal time, inappropriate chewing or eating things, prevent counter surfing…. )
- Recovery and healing after injury or surgery
- Safety in the car
- Safety and ease of use when traveling, at competitions or vets / groomers
- Being able to handle ‘alone’ time is important to your dog’s mental well-being
And in recent years this aspect has become very important:
- Safety and management during emergency evacuations due to wild fires or flooding
In my profession as a dog trainer I am seeing far too many dogs who are anywhere from unable to relax to the extreme of having panic reactions when confined to a crate (or in a vehicle or other type of restricted access). That’s rather the opposite of what a crate should mean for your dog: a safe space (like a doggie den)!
When dealing with separation anxiety we’ll almost always see problems that a dog cannot tolerate being confined in any way that means physical separation from their owner, even when the owner is present. Most all dogs who struggle with separation anxiety have not learned that the owner’s presence doesn’t mean that they get to have access to them at all times. Teaching crates in a games-based way is an important step in solving separation related struggles.
It doesn’t have to be this way!
In an ideal world, puppies will learn to appreciate the safe space of a crate from an early age. This could already be started at the breeder’s place and continue as they move to their new home. Crate training makes traveling and potty training easy and your house will be spared from being damaged by a rambunctious sharp-toothed energizer puppy.
How about rescue dogs?
A dog coming from a rescue or re-home situation may not have had the opportunity to learn about crates early on which can really put you in a difficult spot when you need to use a crate for whatever reason. That’s why I’ve created games that don’t involve a full crate or none at all… just to teach your dog the beginning stages without tainting their feelings about the crate you will be using later on.
Stage 0 in my Happy Crating course is all about games to play with the dogs who have strong feelings against crates. We will slowly be building the skills and confidence they need, without overwhelming them, and creating those positive associations with crates very gradually.
Once we’ve created that positive association with your dog’s crate, you’ll work through the stages of going into the crate, closing the door, creating increased desire for the crate, to working on duration for being in the crate …. easy steps to follow, at your dog’s pace.
How does it work?
We teach everything through playing games with our dogs, so I have created this self-study course for YOU to teach your dog to accept and enjoy their crate as well.
Once you’ve signed up and paid for the course, you’ll get an invitation to join my private FB group where you can go through the steps outlined in the guides at your dog’s pace, as well as ask questions.
Access to Happy Crating is not limited time-wise so you can watch the videos again and again… maybe when your next puppy or rescue dog joins your household in a few years’ time.
How long will it take for my dog to love their crate?
Each situation is individual so there is no easy answer. It will depend if your dog is initially neutral about crates or if they’ve had prior negative experiences. It is recommended to do 2-3 short sessions each day and to progress to the next stage only when your dog is ready.
How much does it cost and how do I sign up?
The cost for the Happy Crating course, with life-time access, is CAD 25 and you can sign up below:
payment ($25) via e-transfer to: pawsomeconnection@gmail.com – security answer: games24
If you’re outside Canada, use PayPal (CAD 25) to Gisela Griesser; email: pawsomeconnection@gmail.com
Testimonials
Just wanted to thanks Gisela Griesser for all the helpful crating tips when I took on a rehomed dog. This is Decaf that came to my home via a sprint racing team in Whitehorse….Decaf grew to half the size of her siblings so came to Calgary to be part of my racing team.
Most racing sled dogs are not ‘crate’ dogs and in my dog sport world my dogs learn crate training as puppies. I had all the tools in my toolbox but had forgotten them and I was struggling with the crate for Decaf.
Gisela Griesser helped me remember the tools I had and with some creative thinking I now have a dog that will eagerly go in one and be able to maintain calm-especially while driving (show her the mushing harness and its game over LOL). Thanks Gisela Griesser for all your help!!!!
Nancy T. & Decaf
I purchased the Happy Crating Course from Gisela so I could expand my training knowledge and help my clients.
Little did I know that I would eventually end up with a puppy who was not interested in being behind any barriers. The videos taught me not to approach her kennel training with my own expectations or train with pressure but rather to create desire.
I loved the different ways Gisela physically placed herself around the kennel as not to give a visual cue to the dog that something bad was going to happen but rather, teach the dog to like the kennel because of all the fun games that happen in and around the kennel.
I would have never thought to approach the training in that regard.
I now have a dog who likes her kennel enough to choose to place herself in it and she plays games by herself with toys in the kennel too, which tells me she sees the space as a positive place to be! Erin H. & Betty
Pawsome Connection Dog Training & Behavior 