Crate training dogs doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal for you or your furry friend. The secret to successful crate training, and seeing that happy “Easy Wag” tail, lies in shifting your perspective. Instead of viewing the crate solely from a human standpoint – a tool to prevent damage or accidents – consider it from your dog’s eyes. What benefits does it offer them?
Think of a crate as a den, a safe and comfortable retreat for your dog. It’s their personal space, free from the hustle and bustle of family life, where they can unwind and feel secure. With this in mind, the “easy wag” approach to crate training focuses on creating this positive association and guiding your dog to genuinely enjoy their new “chill zone.”
Like any good dog trainer, creating a positive first impression of the crate is paramount. Start by placing the crate in a comfortable and frequented area of your home – locations where your dog naturally enjoys spending time. For many, the living room or a home office are ideal. To make the crate instantly inviting, remove the door or prop it open, transforming it into an accessible haven. Enhance the comfort by adding your dog’s favorite blanket or towel inside, along with a no-spill water dish. To further sweeten the deal, scatter a few small, high-value food treats inside. Set up this enticing space while your dog is elsewhere, allowing them to discover it independently. Let your dog explore the crate alone for a few minutes, usually around three, without any pressure or interaction from you. Upon your return, you’ll likely find them already investigating the crate, sniffing out the hidden toys or treats.
When you observe your dog interacting with the crate, show your enthusiasm! Use an encouraging tone and say things like, “What’s this you’ve found?”, and get down to their level to peek inside. If your dog re-enters the crate, offer praise and a small reward. If they choose not to, that’s perfectly fine; simply move on to another activity without making a fuss.
Later, once the crate is likely out of their immediate thoughts, subtly place another enticing surprise inside. This could be a special treat or a tasty bone. Eventually, the enticing scent will lead your dog back to the crate to investigate. Initially, they might grab the treat or bone and leave the crate immediately, and that’s perfectly acceptable. The key is they’ll remember the crate as the source of these delightful discoveries. Next time they’re seeking something yummy or fun, their curiosity will naturally draw them back to the crate. Your role is to consistently ensure they find something rewarding within.
Once your dog clearly associates the crate with positive experiences, it’s time to introduce a touch of structured training. Using high-value treats and a clicker (optional but helpful for marking desired behavior), you can start shaping the action of entering the crate. Simply approaching the crate might now prompt your dog to venture inside, or at least poke their head in, hoping for another hidden treasure. When they do, use your clicker (or a verbal marker like “yes!”) and toss a treat just outside the crate. Your dog will likely eat the treat and then return to the crate, anticipating more rewards. Continue this process, gradually shaping the behavior until your dog confidently and readily enters the crate. Next, you can introduce a verbal cue for entering the crate, such as “Kennel.” Say the cue as your dog is naturally moving towards or into the crate. This helps them link the word with the action. It’s important to note that the door remains off or propped open throughout this phase, ensuring the crate remains a welcoming and never confining space.
By now, your dog should be developing a very positive association with their crate – thinking of it as the “bomb” or their happy place! They should happily enter on cue and anticipate finding something enjoyable whenever they choose to go inside. The next step is teaching them to relax and settle down once inside. Observe your dog’s natural rhythms and identify times when they are typically inclined to rest, such as late morning or afternoon after periods of activity.
Stuffed Kongs are excellent tools for encouraging dogs to relax and stay occupied. If you need to focus on a task like cooking dinner and want to keep your puppy safely out from underfoot, providing them with their meal in a stuffed Kong behind a baby gate in another room works wonders. You can apply a similar technique to encourage calm behavior in the crate.
A clever method to keep a stuffed Kong accessible within the crate involves using a cord or cable. Thread the cord through the small end of the Kong and back through the large end, then tie a substantial knot to secure it, creating a Kong that hangs securely. Stuff the Kong with long-lasting, enticing fillings like peanut butter, easy cheese, or whipped cream. Freezing the Kong beforehand can extend the enjoyment. Attach the Kong inside the crate, towards the back, allowing your dog to lick and chew without being able to remove it. As before, prepare this setup while your dog is out of sight, then invite them to discover the delightful surprise on their own. At this stage, dogs are usually more than happy to settle down and lick the Kong contentedly for an extended period. If a Kong typically keeps your dog occupied for around 15 minutes, gently call them out of the crate after about 10 minutes (while there’s still some filling left), and then briefly close the crate door, preventing them from re-entering immediately. While some dogs might initially protest, simply ignore any fuss. They will soon find another source of amusement.
Repeat this “dirty Kong trick” several times over a couple of days. You can even close the door with a fully stuffed Kong inside, allowing your dog to “beg” their way in, further reinforcing the crate as a source of wonderful things. Continue to intermittently hide toys and treats within the crate as well.
You’ll likely observe that at this point, your dog begins to use the crate independently as a place for naps, relaxation, or enjoying a bone or Kong. They might even choose to take a bone into the crate to savor it in peace. This is the perfect time to start gently introducing the closed door.
When you see your dog enter the crate, clearly intending to settle down for a nap, once they are relaxed and comfortable, quietly close the door. Because they are already content and sleepy, they likely won’t react negatively. They’ll close their eyes and drift off to sleep. Continue with your activities around the house, but keep an occasional eye on them, ensuring they don’t wake up feeling confined. After a while, when you notice they are awake, approach the crate, open the door, and walk away. Sometimes they’ll emerge, sometimes they’ll simply resettle and go back to sleep.
Continue these steps consistently for a few weeks. Almost like magic, your dog will learn to genuinely love their crate, happily enter on cue, and remain inside contentedly for reasonable periods with the door closed. They will stay relaxed and quiet whether you are present or not, and often choose to retreat to their crate of their own accord. Continue to randomly “gift” them with treats and toys inside to maintain the positive association. They now truly LOVE the “easy wag” chill zone you’ve created just for them.
While most dogs adapt to crate training readily with this positive approach, some dogs may have had negative experiences with forceful or improper crate training methods in the past. Being forced into a crate and left alone for extended periods with nothing to do can be traumatizing. Some of these dogs, or dogs with pre-existing anxiety issues, may never fully accept crate training. This is not a failure! A positive reinforcement-based dog trainer can offer alternative solutions that both you and your dog will find enjoyable and effective.
Ultimately, the secret to successful “easy wag” crate training isn’t about forcing your dog to tolerate it, but about guiding them to genuinely LOVE it! Making desired behaviors enjoyable for your dog is always the most effective and rewarding training approach.
