Utilizing a dog crate correctly, is not an exercise in cruelty. A properly trained dog sees a crate as his safe haven or "home." Crating is a very safe way to house your dog while you are not home, as well as an effective way to potty train.

When you crate your dog, you take away the household dangers associated with free roam (such as access to poisons, cleaning products, electrical cords and countless items ripe for chewing). You also discount the myriad assortment of dangers awaiting your dog outdoors, (such as taunting by neighborhood children, poisonous frogs and snakes, bee stings, unpredictable Florida weather, pest infestations like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, rabid animal bites, dangerous mulch and floral beds, and the possibility of digging out of a fence, getting lost, stolen, or hit by a car)!

As previously mentioned, if used correctly and not abused, your dog will learn to love his crate and may go inside freely to take naps or chew on toys.

Who "needs" a crate? 

Dogs who would benefit from proper crating would be those who have separation anxiety or who tend to "get into trouble" when left with free roam of the home. Many Boxers are quite content to, when you leave, jump on the couch by the nearest window overlooking a driveway and they won't move again until they hear your car pull up! They are completely trustworthy and wouldn't be inclined to chew up remote controls, coffee tables or granny's beloved heirloom throw rug.

However, remember, Boxers are first and foremost PEOPLE dogs and they love their families. Some don't do well when left alone at all, and express said anxiety through chewing up things they shouldn't. Not only is this aggravating to the human, but more importantly, it is dangerous to the dog. An item lodged in the throat, stomach or intestines can be life threatening and/or costly to remove. These dogs would benefit from the comforting feeling a crate can provide.

Selection and position

Make sure the crate you select is the correct size. Your Boxer must be able to comfortably lie down, stand up and turn around without ducking his head or crouching down. There usually is a list of appropriate breeds of dog on the box of each sized crate but when in doubt, "go bigger for Boxer."

Putting the crate in a quiet corner of a family room would be ideal as the Boxer can go there on his own to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but still be able to see his family. If there are multiple dogs in the home, it is best to position the crates so they can all be together and see each other. This simple strategy can alleviate much of the anxiety that comes with being left alone.

"Dog, meet Crate."

Introduce your puppy or full-grown Boxer to the crate by initially leaving the crate door open for him to investigate, sniff, and go in and out on his own. It is completely acceptable and recommended for this first step to take several days if not weeks, if you sense any apprehension on the dog's part.

When your Boxer seems comfortable with the crate, put bedding and some treats or toys inside, and encourage your dog to enter using soft, high, friendly speech. Once in, gently close the door and speak softly to your Boxer. Tell him to lay down. Leave the room and go where he cannot see you. If your Boxer cries or barks, wait (I know it's hard) for him to stop, and the second he does, enter the room, praise him like crazy and offer a treat and hug as you let him out. 

Practice this a few times a day for a couple of days. Gradually try to increase the time you stay away, as long as the dog is doing well with being separated from you.

By the end of the first week, you could be able to stay away for 15-30 minutes.

This is a gradual process that takes time, patience and care. If you rush your dog into crate training, he may be afraid of it, and loathe the time he has to be in there, which is the exact opposite of how you want him to feel when he is in the crate. Remember, you want him to WANT to go in there and have his quiet time.

NEVER use his crate as a punishment. If you do it even once, you destroy the entire context of what the crate stands for--his quiet place to be when you are not home. You never want to give his "home" a negative connotation. Don't punish him in it. Don't use his crate for time out. Find another area, perhaps a gated off room, if you need a space for time out.

How long is too long?

As stated many times on this website, Boxers are "people dogs" and don't do well left alone for extended periods of time. They are not dogs recommended for people who work long hours. They do very well in homes with people who are around a majority of the time. Crating a dog for more than 8 hours a day is excessive, in our opinion. There are other options like hiring a pet sitter or dog walker or enrolling your Boxer in doggie daycare a few days per week.

Tips for s-u-c-c-e-s-s

Always walk your dog and give him the opportunity to relieve himself before and immediately after spending time in his crate. By doing so, you give him a routine, and he will soon learn that he has two specific opportunities to go potty, thus decreasing the incidence of accidents inside the crate.

Always place one or two safe chew toys ( KONG stuffed with peanut butter or biscuits, nylabones) in the crate to keep your Boxer stimulated and busy! Never leave bones, rawhide products, Greenies™ or pig's ears if you cannot supervise--all items are a choking hazard! You can remove a dog's collar before he spends time in a crate to prevent accidents like it getting caught on a wire. Also be careful about stuffed animals; if your dog tends to rip them open and ingest the stuffing, this would not be an appropriate item to put inside the crate when you cannot be around to monitor.

If your Boxer tends to be anxious, eradicate certain cues that tell him your departure is imminent. Actions like grabbing your keys, putting on a jacket or your shoes, can signal to your dog, that he is about to be left alone. Try desensitizing him by occasionally leaving WITHOUT doing these things. Go outside barefoot and without your keys, to retrieve your newspaper or mail, for example. "Mix it up" so that your Boxer learns that he doesn't necessarily need to associate those actions, with you leaving the house.

Boxers who have been improperly crate trained or have had it used as a punishment, CAN BE RETRAINED! Fear not! You will need an extra dose or two of patience, but it can be done; we speak from experience. If you have additional questions or concerns, feel free to email us and we'll be happy to assist you.