The beginning of a new foster dog’s journey towards a forever home begins with helping the new foster feel comfortable and safe and to give them time for decompression, however long that may take.  Sometimes it’s just a few hours or it can be several days.  We rarely know the history of the new foster dog and what kind of life they had before coming to rescue. So, to help them with their transition to my home and my pets, I set up a crate in my living room to give the new dog a safe place to watch and listen to the sounds of their new environment.  I have fostered dogs that have never heard a TV, heard a dishwasher run or seen a cat and it can be a extremely scary in the beginning for the new foster dog. 

Crate training gives the new dogs a safe place to become acclimated to the home environment.  It also keeps the other pets in the foster home safe and allows time for them to get use to the new foster dog.  My personal dogs are nosy French Bulldogs that aren’t very graceful when meeting new dogs.  They will just run up and get in the new foster dogs personal space and that starts everybody off on the wrong foot!  I start with a crate located where all the dogs can see each other but my dogs can’t get close to the crate.  I want everyone to get use to the smells of each other and I want the experience for all and be as non threatening as possible.  I like to feed the new foster dogs in their crate and I continue that practice until the foster gets adopted.  Feeding in their crate gives everyone their own place to eat in peace and not have to thwart off the Frenchie herd!  It sure makes meal times less stressful for all of us.  The advantage of feeding the dogs in a crate is that it teaches the dogs that the crate is a wonderful place to hang out!  My dogs and the fosters happily run into their crates waiting for me to deliver their meals.

By feeding them in their crate it teaches them boundaries because they aren’t able to sneak over and grab someone else’s dinner.  I make sure that no one comes out of their crate until everyone has finished eating.  

At bed time, I show them the treat and toss the treat in their crate ahead of them and tell them to “go to bed”.  When I have errands to run, I put the dogs in their crates and do the same process, toss a few pieces of dry kibble in their crate ahead of them and tell them to go to bed.  I love the peace of mind knowing that all dogs are safe in their crates and they aren’t causing mischief or possibly getting hurt.  Plus, when crated, the dogs learn to relax while I’m away.

Crate training can also help with house training because dogs don’t want to soil their sleeping area.  A trip to the vet, or groomer with your dog in a crate in the car is much safer for you and your pet while driving.

Almost all of our foster dogs require surgery, be it a spay, neuter or knee surgery.  Having a foster dog crate trained before surgeries is so helpful!  The dog is already use to their crate and comfortable in it so recuperation will be much less stressful for your dog and you!

I try to make their crate as cozy as possible and I like to add a nice soft blanket in the foster dog’s crate for them to sleep on.  When they get adopted I send the same blanket with them.  I think it helps with the transition to their new home if they have something that smells like my home to go to their new home with them.

A few simple steps can get a dog that has never been crate trained to a dog that is happy and content in their crate.  

Treats – I used regular kibble.  I keep a small bowl near my crates.

Make the crate comfortable with comfy blankets or bed inside or start with an old sheet or towels.

Start slow with crate training and have several short positive sessions.  Praise your dog for a job well done and you could give a few treats while the dog is in the crate with the door closed.  Over time you can increase the crate time with the door closed.  

I don’t want fat dogs so if I’ve worked with my dog and have given them treats I’ll cut back their next meal accordingly.  Or you could use their meal time as a training session.

Crate training is really a good thing!  Be patient and encouraging.  It’s well worth the effort!  🙂