Casey's Corner: Crate-training your dog

What does crate training have to do with disaster preparedness? Turns out, a great deal. If you’re evacuated during an emergency, many public shelters won’t allow dogs. If they do, usually the dogs must be crated. If you have to stay in a hotel or motel, some require you to have a crate for your dog. If you’re with a friend or family member, the crate can provide your dog with a sense of safety and familiarity in an unfamiliar environment. 

If you have no place for your dog to stay during a disaster, your only option will be to place them in an emergency animal shelter, where they’ll likely be living in crates. While shelter volunteers do their best to take dogs out at least twice a day, your dogs need to be able to endure being crated for an extended period without becoming panicky or frightened. 

The bottom line is that to help them feel comfortable and secure, a dog needs to be familiar and happy with being in a crate.

If you already have a crate, make sure it’s accessible (not stuck under the house or in a far-flung corner of the attic), solid and large enough for your dog to turn around in. That flimsy puppy crate isn’t going to do any good for an 80-pound Great Pyrenees, for example.

If you’re going to buy a crate — whether it’s a plastic portable carrier, folding wire crate, soft-sided crate or furniture crate — do your homework first to determine which type fits your situation and needs. Chances are your dog can adapt to any one of them.

If you haven’t used a crate before, it’ll take some time for your dog to get accustomed and associate it with positive things. Never use a crate as punishment. I suggest you research crate training before you begin: Talk to your veterinarian, question a trainer or visit reputable websites like Whole Dog Journal or the American Kennel Club. 

The most important thing is to make the crate seem like a special place, one that’s associated with something good. One trick is to try feeding your pup meals or treats once inside, so crate time feels like a reward. Start slowly, always leaving the door open, and allowing the dog to come out of the crate when it wants. Do this in small increments of time, and lengthen the time spent in the crate over several days or weeks. You should never leave a dog in its crate all day. 

Once your dog realizes the crate is somewhere it wants to be, you’ll find that crating can come in handy in a variety of circumstances. I’ve already talked about emergencies, but there are everyday situations when a crate can be helpful. Maybe it’s to provide a break from a busy household or screaming children. Maybe it’s a safe retreat when your dog is uncomfortable with strangers in the home, or when you have a large party or family gathering. Maybe it’s to offer comfort during stressful events like fireworks or thunderstorms. Maybe it’s to increase your dog’s safety in the car when you’re traveling.

Just don’t think of a crate like “dog jail.” It isn’t.  Ideally, the crate will become a quiet, soothing place for your dog to rest, sleep or simply chill.

Joan Merriam lives in Northern California with her Golden Retriever, Joey; Maine Coon cat, Indy; and the abiding spirit of her beloved Golden Retriever, Casey, in whose memory this column is named. You can reach her at joan@joanmerriam.com.