How to Teach Your Dog to Sleep Outside His Crate

Several years ago, a concerned dog owner consulted me because his dog had a tough time settling down. However, when put in his crate, his dog blissfully passed out and snored. Hmm! So we just needed to teach his dog how to relax and self-settle outside of his crate and in different locations.

Now, don’t let this deter you from crate training future puppies and dogs. Crates are a very valuable tool, if used correctly.

Start Crate Transitioning

Once your puppy or dog is potty trained and chewing is a distant memory, meaning she doesn’t require constant supervision, it’s time to start teaching her to relax outside of her crate. If, at any time, a potty accident happens, it may be too early. Take a few steps back and use a crate when your dog is unsupervised.

Teach Your Dog to Self-Settle

Plan ahead by walking or playing with your dog before a family evening at home. After dinner, everyone (dog included) should pile into the living room and pop in a movie, sit back and get comfy. If needed, block doorways with temporary gates, so your dog stays with you instead of wandering away.

The first few nights, give your dog a food stuffed toy, so she has something to do quietly while the family winds down. Usually, a tired and recently fed dog will lick her toy until empty, plop over and fall asleep. After a few minutes, some dogs wake up, look around with a startled expression (they are not crated), and plop over and fall asleep again (whew, it’s safe). Some dogs just get up and pace.

Use a Tether

If your dog is having a tough time settling in for family movie night, ignores her toys and paces, it’s time to use a tether. By using a tether, your dog learns to stay in a confined area and sleep outside of her crate. Never tether her and leave, or she’ll panic, chew or break the tether anchor.

Before using a tether successfully, you’ll need to try a few tricks. Choose a corner location where two walls join to mimic a den-like environment. Now, leash your dog to a six-foot leash and tether to the bottom of your chair, moving your chair if needed. Once leashed, give her a super yummy food stuffed toy, or click and treat when she lies down quietly. Be prepared. This may take a few minutes. If using high value treats, it’ll help the process move along quicker. After a few minutes, she might lie down for awhile and then stand up and start pulling on her tether. Just click and treat (or refill her toy), so she learns to relax.

Plan to teach your dog how to self- settle during several movie nights. It may take a few practice sessions. For additional tips on choosing, anchoring and weaning dogs from a tether, check out this article.

By All Means, Keep Using a Crate

Yes! Still utilize dog crates when you’re away from home or rowdy visitors swing by. Crates should be your dog’s personal spa area. Just remember to spend a few extra minutes teaching your dog how to relax outside of a crate too.