What is crate training in a dachshund?
Dachshund crate training is a method to train your dog to see a crate (a small indoor kennel or cage) as a safe, comfortable place where they can relax, sleep, or stay when needed. Crate training has various types of benefits in other dog training as well. They help in house training also, we need to train our dachshund to be in a crate to take advantage of it.
In today’s blog, I will give a comprehensive guide to train your dog for crate training, and I will also share my own experience of crate training. After reading this blog, you don’t need to search for miniature dachshund crate training and standard dachshund crate training separately because mini dachshund crate training also has the same training principle as standard ones.
And you can also read this blog if you are looking for
Benefits of dachshund crate training
Helps with House Training
Crate training is a powerful tool for house training because dogs naturally don’t like to potty where they sleep and live. A properly sized crate teaches your dachshund (or any dog) to hold their bladder and wait until they are let outside. When you make a routine to let them outside after a meal, after waking up, or after playtime, they will gradually understand that the toilet is outside, not inside the house.
If the dog stays in the crate when you can’t supervise because of a busy schedule, it also prevents accidents and bad habits from forming (like peeing on carpets). It was also quite helpful for me when I couldn’t supervise them.
Prevents Destructive Behaviour
Crate training also helps prevent destructive behaviour in dachshunds, which are quite destructive types of dogs; they destroy or press clothes and an organised bed. Keeping your dog in a crate provides security and a clear boundary and prevents them from doing destructive activity.
Dachshund crate training schedule or routine helps teach self-control and establish boundaries and routine. When they are in a crate, they slowly learn to be there without any frequent stimulation. Making your dog run by routine also helps with potty training.
Protects Their Backs
Dachshunds are very energetic dogs by nature, sometimes their behaviour can be a problem. They have a tendency to run from room to room; during this running time, they can injure their back, which can lead to serious back problems.
Crate training helps to protect their back from serious conditions by providing them clear boundary around them.
Helps with separation anxiety
Crate training helps reduce separation anxiety in your dachshund because when they are in a crate, they also learn to be alone in the home. Moreover, this also provides them a safe, secure space when we aren’t at home.
Crate training your dog also helps your dog to encourage independence and leads to fewer separation anxiety issues.
To encourage your dog to stay in a crate, you need to reward them when they successfully stay in the crate without any force.
Avoid forcing your dog to stay in a crate because, if you force your dog to be in a crate, it can develop crate anxiety. When your dog gets unusually anxious when they see the crate.
Makes Travel and Vet Visits Easier
Crate training helps make travel and vet visits easier by creating a sense of familiarity, security, and control for your dog. Keeping your dog in a crate while travelling and vet visits provides a clear boundary and full control of your dog in your hands. This also helps in travelling by helping to feel secure around other people around us.
While travelling, sometimes other dogs can be aggressive towards your dog, which makes your dog anxious. If you keep your dog in a crate, then you can be stress-free.
Here are step-by-step dachshund crate training tips for good crate behaviour
1. Choose the Right Crate
In the market, there are many dog crates available for dachshunds, and you need to choose the right crate for your dachshund. Dachshunds don’t need a large crate; they are a small dog needing a small crate. The crate should be big enough for your dachshund to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not so big that they can use one end as a bathroom.
Wire crates with dividers are considered the best for dachshunds; these types of crates offer enough ventilation for your dachshund.
2. Make the Crate Comfortable
To make the crate comfortable, you can use soft and washable bedding where they can lie and feel relaxed. They love to burrow, so consider a blanket that they can burrow under.
To make the crate extra comfortable, you can also include their chewing toys, which they can chew when they feel bored. You can also place other toys for crate training in it.
Placing a toy in a crate during training time, there is a high chance of your dog going inside the crate happily.
3. Introduce the Crate Slowly
Keep the door open on your crate and toss their favourite treat inside it to encourage your dachshund to check it out on their own. But remember, don’t force your dog to go into of crate and avoid closing the door at first; this builds pressure on your dog, and potentially dog becomes anxious of a crate.
4. Start with Short Sessions
Starting with a long session in starting can build a situation like crate anxiety, that’s why you need to start with a short session, where your dog can feel safe. And gradually increase the time as your dachshund gets used to being inside. Always let them free before they are distressed, so they don’t associate the crate with anxiety.
5. Use a Command Word
Using the command word is beneficial for every dachshund training session. You can use commands like “crate,” “kennel,” or “bed” to encourage your dog to go inside the crate. Say it clearly and calmly each time they go in, followed by a treat or praise and with time, your dog associates the word with action, and it becomes easy to send the dog inside the crate.
6. Stay Calm When Leaving or Returning
Don’t make a big fuss when you leave or come back, it can trigger your dachshund’s anxiety. Be calm before leaving home, and after reaching home, act like nothing to worry about; it can also help your dachshund to stay calm and comfortable when you are away from them.
7. Be Patient and Consistent
Dachshunds can be stubborn, so being consistent is key for successful crate training. Stick to a routine, feed meals in the crate, use it for naps, and give positive reinforcement and reward them when they successfully complete one session on it.
Note: Never use the crate for punishment—this will only make them fear it.
8. Gradually Extend Crate Time
Slowly increase the time of the dachshund, how long they stay on it. Once they’re comfortable, begin leaving the room briefly and then increase your time away.
Gradually, they will learn the crate is a safe place when you are away from home.
By following these steps, you can definitely be successful in dachshund crate training.
Thank you
