You may have purchased a crate for your golden retriever puppy or dog, but you’re still unsure about how to crate train them. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about successfully crate training your golden retriever!
To crate train your golden retriever, select the right size crate, make it cozy, and gradually introduce it using positive reinforcement. Start with short periods, gradually increasing the time, and establish a consistent routine with patience.
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What Is Crate Training?
Crate training is the process of introducing a puppy or dog to a dog crate. This method uses the dog’s instinct as a den animal.
It teaches them to see their crate as a safe, secure, and comfortable space to rest and be alone especially when left unsupervised.
Why Should You Crate Train Your Golden Retriever?
Crate training your golden retriever offers numerous benefits, as listed below.
1. Creates Boundaries
As dog parents, we can’t be with our dogs all day, every day.
Hence, allowing your golden retriever to spend time in their crate during the day or night teaches them that being alone is perfectly fine and helps reduce any feelings of stress.
This can help prevent anxiety and the negative or destructive behaviors that can occur from being left alone.
RELATED: Anxiety in Golden Retrievers: Symptoms, Causes, & Solutions
2. Potty Training
Crate training can teach your golden retriever to associate the crate with their den, thus it is an effective method for potty training that aids in bowel and bladder control.
Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, which means a crate can help them learn to hold their bladder and bowels until they can go outside.
3. Familiar and Comfortable Space
A crate can be a relaxing and safe place for your golden retriever to settle down when needed. It’s a familiar place where they can relax and sleep when tired.
4. Prevents Destructive Behavior
Crate training can help prevent destructive behaviors when you are away from home.
It keeps your golden retriever contained and reduces the likelihood of them chewing on furniture, shoes, or a cord and getting electrocuted, eating something they should not, or destroying your expensive personal belongings.
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers Chew A Lot? (What You Must Know!)
5. Safety and Security
A crate provides a safe space for your golden retriever when you can’t supervise them. It can help prevent accidents and keep them away from hazardous items around the house.
6. Helps Reduce Anxiety
A crate can provide personal space for your dog where they feel secure and comfortable especially if they get anxious when you leave.
Knowing that they have a secure place to go can ease their anxiety and make their alone time at home less stressful.
7. Traveling Convenience
A crate is the safest way to travel with your dog. Whether driving or flying across the country or staying at a hotel, it helps them feel secure in new environments and ensures they have a familiar place to rest.
8. Easier Visits
If your golden retriever has never been crated, it can be very stressful for them to be crated for the first time while visiting a vet, groomer, or a friend.
Therefore, getting your dog used to a crate can make visits less stressful for both of you and help your dog prepare for the times they need to be crated.
Steps to Crate Train Your Golden Retriever
Crate training your golden retriever effectively creates a safe and cozy space for your dog while assisting with house training. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.
1. Choose the Right Crate
The first step in crate training is to choose the right size crate.
As golden retrievers are medium to large-sized dogs, you should buy a crate appropriate for their adult size.
Choose a crate that is spacious enough for your golden retriever to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably without touching the sides of the crate. Usually, a 42″ crate is the best size.
You must purchase a crate that grows with your puppy if you have a puppy.
Some crates include dividers that let you adjust the floor space as your puppy grows. When your pup is fully grown, you can simply remove the divider.
If the crate is too large, they may use one corner as a bathroom. This will work against your crate training efforts. So, adjust the crate size as your puppy grows.
Wire crates offer good ventilation and visibility which reduces your dog’s anxiety about being alone in there at first while plastic crates provide a more enclosed feeling and are best for traveling and transportation of your dog.
2. Make the Crate Inviting and Comfortable
This is an area where your golden retriever should feel comfortable, thus create a cozy environment when setting up a crate.
Place your dog’s favorite bed or blanket for comfort and warmth.
Also, put some indestructible toys and treats for your golden retriever to make it a fun place. You can achieve this by buying a toy like a Kong, which you can fill with treats and peanut butter.
This is a great way to help your golden retriever associate the crate with being a “positive” area.
Remember not to put plush toys in the crate, as they can be easily torn apart, and their pieces may be swallowed or cause choking. Similarly, avoid small toys that could be swallowed or pose a choking hazard.
As golden retrievers are social dogs that need human interaction, keep the crate in a busy area of the home where your golden retriever can see and hear you or other people, such as your bedroom or the living room, so they don’t feel isolated.
3. Introduce the Crate Gradually
You should introduce your golden retriever to the crate slowly. Start by leaving the crate door open and encouraging your dog to explore it on their own.
You can do this by using lots of verbal praises, physical praises like cuddles, head pats or belly scratches, treats, or toys to lure them inside the crate.
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers Like to Cuddle? (What You Must Know!)
This is important, as your golden retriever doesn’t feel forced into the crate.
Repeat this process several times a day until your dog willingly approaches and enters the crate on his own.
Over time, you can feed them treats through the open crate door to keep them inside.
Then start feeding them with the crate door closed so that they know the crate is a positive area and that there is nothing to fear when inside. This way they will begin to normalize being inside of it.
4. Integrate a Verbal Command
Once your golden retriever gets comfortable being near and inside the crate, you should start making this process more deliberate.
Teach them a verbal command like “crate” or “place” that lets them know when you want them to go in there.
5. Positive Reinforcement
One of the key steps in crate training is helping your golden retriever associate this area with positive experiences.
Always reward your dog with praise, cuddles, or treats for going into the crate and being quiet while inside.
One of the tricks to get your golden retriever used to being in the crate for a longer time while associating it with a fun activity is giving them an interactive toy to keep their mind engaged. This makes their stay inside the crate enjoyable.
6. Closing The Door Gradually
Once your golden retriever gets comfortable with the crate, slowly close its door briefly for 5 to 10 minutes while you are nearby.
You can do this either during their mealtimes when you feed them through closed doors or when they are distracted by a toy or treats.
Wait for a calm moment to let them out, rather than opening the door while they are barking or whining.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Bark So Much? (14 Bark Types + Tips)
7. Start Leaving the Room
Gradually start leaving the room for short periods while your golden retriever is in the crate.
This step is best done while they’re distracted with a toy or a treat. Leave the room for a moment, then come back in.
Gradually extend the time you’re gone, starting with a few seconds and then just a few minutes.
This approach will help your golden retriever adjust to being alone and let them know that you will always come back, no matter how long you’re gone.
As your golden retriever becomes more comfortable, you need to slowly increase their stay in a crate for hours at a time but remember not to leave them alone for extensive periods.
8. Keep Them in the Crate Overnight
Before crating your golden retriever overnight, make sure to exercise them first.
This will help tire out this energetic breed and make crate training easier by reducing excess pent-up energy.
Also it’s better to place the crate next to your bed at night as it lets your dog hear and smell you, reassuring them that they’re not alone.
9. Establish a Routine
Develop a consistent routine for crate use, such as during meal times, bedtime, or when you leave the house.
But remember to give them bathroom breaks before crating them and again after letting them out.
10. Leaving The House Gradually
Once your golden retriever is comfortable staying in the crate while you’re home, gradually begin training them to stay in the crate when you are away.
After successfully managing short periods, you can begin leaving the house for longer durations.
11. Be Patient and Consistent
Every dog learns at their own pace, so be patient and consistent throughout the training process.
Monitor their comfort level and adjust your training as needed to ensure the effectiveness of the training.
What Crate Training Mistakes You Should Avoid?
Avoid the following mistakes to make crate training more effective.
- Never use the crate as punishment – it should be a positive space. Associating the crate with punishment will lead to your golden retriever disliking it.
- Ensure they have enough exercise, bathroom breaks, and mental stimulation before crating.
- Crate training requires patience.Rushing the process can make your golden retriever view the crate as frighteningor associate it with being left alone for long periods.
- If your dog whines or barks for attention, ignore them and don’t give in right away. Wait for a moment of silence before letting them out.
- If left alone in the crate all day and night due to your work schedule, they might become restless or develop emotional issues due to their high energy and desire for human companionship.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best age to crate train your golden retriever?
You should start crate training your golden retriever while they are still a puppy, ideally between 8 and 16 weeks of age.
2. How long does it take to crate train your golden retriever?
Crate training your golden retriever may take a few days to several weeks, depending on your dog’s age and personality.
3. Do golden retrievers do well in crates?
Yes, golden retrievers can adjust well to crate training if introduced positively and with proper guidance. Their adaptable and easy-going nature makes crates a comforting and secure space for them, whether they need a quiet spot or are left alone.
Conclusion
Crate training gives your golden retriever a safe, personal space to retreat to whenever they need a break from the hustle and bustle of the house. It’s also an excellent tool for potty training.
However, never use the crate as a punishment. Instead, help your golden retriever associate the crate with positive experiences by using treats and toys. Choose a crate that fits your dog’s size, make it inviting, and introduce it gradually with positive reinforcement.
Check out these articles next for training your golden retriever effectively:
How to Leash Train Your Golden Retriever? (Step-by-Step Guide)
How to Potty Train a Golden Retriever Puppy? (10 Easy Steps)