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Does the mere sight of their crate send your dog into a tizzy? Crate training is meant to provide a comfortable, relaxing, and safe environment for your dog. Some pets, however, may feel stressed and anxious at the thought of an enclosed space away from their humans.
If your dog displays anxious behavior, you may wonder if crate training is the right move. Whether you’re working with a nervous puppy or a fearful adult rescue, it’s important to observe how your dog responds to being in their crate.
“Knowing the limits of your unique dog is the best place to start,” says Dr. Jordan Beauchamp, DVM, of GoodVets. “If you’re seeing certain behaviors such as anxious over-licking and over-grooming, or aggression and destruction, crate training may not be the best option.”
With everything from training tips to practical alternatives, this guide sheds light on how to approach crates with an anxious dog.
Figuring Out Why the Crate Makes Your Dog Anxious
In an ideal world, pet parents could successfully crate-train their dog from puppyhood. In many cases, this isn’t possible. If you’re adopting an older dog, for example, they arrive home with previous experiences that may provoke stressful triggers.
General anxiety
If your dog is a Nervous Nelly, they may experience general anxiety. This can range from a fear of certain sounds and sights to feeling stressed in the presence of new people. They may also become anxious when unfamiliar things are added to their environment—such as a crate.
Signs of general anxiety include:
- excessive barking
- panting
- pacing
- trouble with potty training or accidents in the house
- compulsive licking and grooming
- hiding
- aggression
Separation anxiety
If your dog is only displaying anxious behaviors in your absence, they likely have separation anxiety. Puppies that aren’t used to being away from their people, or dogs that have been neglected or abused, might feel triggered at the prospect of being alone in a crate.
Signs of separation anxiety include barking and whining excessively when in solitude, or chewing furniture and scratching doors when left alone.
Confinement anxiety
If your dog is averse to small spaces, they may have confinement anxiety. This can stem from a negative experience in an enclosed area and might cause them to try and escape when left in a carrier or crate.
Dogs who display destructive behaviors in a crate while you’re still with them, for example, might be more fearful of the space itself rather than being left alone.
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When to see a vet behaviorist
If anxious behaviors persist or worsen over time, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet. In addition to checking for underlying health issues, your vet can help determine if targeted training or anxiety medication might be beneficial.
Consult your vet if you observe the following behaviors in your dog:
- Self-harm (excessive biting and licking, trying to escape a crate to the point of injury)
- Aggression
- Consistent destruction of furniture and other items
- Regular fear of people, places, and things
- Excessive barking, whining, pacing, panting, or indoor urination
- Lack of appetite
Step-by-Step Guide
Choosing the right type of crate is crucial to your dog’s comfort and training progress. Full-grown dogs should be able to stand up and do a full 360-degree turn in their crate without the space being too snug. Avoid too much extra space as well.
“The biggest element of training is consistency, patience, and not accidentally reinforcing negative behaviors,” says Dr. Beauchamp. “You always want to allow your dog to have free access to their crate. Never use the crate for punishment. It should be their safe, protected little cave.”
To help your anxious dog feel comfortable in their crate, take crate training slowly and follow the steps below (and keep in mind that every dog is different!).
- Introduce the crate to your household. Changes to the environment may worry your dog, so it’s okay to let the crate sit for a few days. “Choose a quiet and secluded area,” says Dr. Beauchamp. “Make sure to place the crate in a place that avoids foot traffic and noise.”
- Create a comfortable setting. While it’s best practice to line a dog’s crate with a cozy blanket or crate mat, there are a few other comforting crate items that can be helpful to an anxious pet.
– Heartbeat toy. “These toys are designed to simulate a heartbeat and help your dog feel less alone,” shares Dr. Beauchamp.
– Sound machine. Consider turning on soothing white noise.
– Calming pheromone diffuser. Dr. Beauchamp notes that diffusers such as ThunderEase can reduce stress and anxiety.
– Old clothing item. An old t-shirt with your scent can bring your dog comfort—but you’ll want to avoid this option if your dog is a proven chewer.
– Dog-friendly CBD. “Some dogs benefit from CBD,” says Dr. Beauchamp. “Make sure to do your research and find reliable brands, such as ElleVet Sciences.” - Coax your dog with treats and toys. Rather than putting your dog in the crate, let them explore at their own pace. Toss treats and toys into the open crate. Once your dog is comfortable walking into the crate to get their goodies on their own, you’re ready for the next step.
- Start closing the door for short durations. Stay with your dog and observe their behavior. If they are panicked, soothe them with pets and positive words, but don’t keep them in the crate for long. If they are calm, reward them with pets and praise.
- Provide enrichment. Placing safe, durable toys in the crate can promote mental stimulation and keep your dog busy. “I recommend a favorite toy or lick mat to promote positive reinforcement,” says Dr. Beauchamp. “However, if your dog is prone to breaking toys and swallowing things, you’ll want to avoid leaving these in the crate.”
- Assess your dog’s behavior and make a plan. As you repeat Step 3 to acclimate your dog to their crate, stay with them to observe your dog’s actions and body language.
– If your dog is becoming comfortable, gradually increase the amount of time they spend within their crate. Eventually, you can leave the room to see how they react to being alone.
– If your dog is anxious and uncomfortable, stick to short durations and work through things at their pace. Keep in mind that crate training isn’t for every dog!
Pro-Tip: If your dog takes to crate training, consider a pet camera to monitor how they act in their crate when you leave the house.
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Jaclyn Vernace via iStock
Does My Dog Have To Be Crated?
While crating a dog has many benefits, it’s not the best choice for every pet. “For some anxious dogs, crating isn’t an option. If you notice self-inflicted trauma or other harmful behaviors, try the alternative of a playpen with a baby gate or a dog-proofed room,” says Dr. Beauchamp.
Even if crate training isn’t on the table, it’s important to address your dog’s anxiety, especially if it’s impacting their health and safety when you leave the house. A dog with separation anxiety left to free-roam, for example, is at risk for chewing foreign objects or displaying other destructive behaviors.
“Some dogs benefit from anxiety medication,” shares Dr. Beauchamp. “Your vet can help assess if this might be a good option for your pet and walk you through the various types of medications.”
Pet parents of an anxious dog might also consider doggy daycare or working with a pet sitter to provide their pup with plenty of TLC when they can’t be at home.
