When your dog is an escape artist, it can seem like crate training is futile. Afterall, they’re just going to claw, chew, and push their way out of the crate, make their way around the home, and get into trouble anyway – so what’s the use? Learning how to make a dog crate escape proof is something many pet parents will consider before abandoning the crate or seeking out other options.
There are numerous ways a person may try to make a crate escape proof. Some of these include:
- Reinforce all sides of the crate – One strategy some pet parents may attempt is to reinforce all sides of the crate. This often involves placing zip ties at all four corners on the top and the bottom of the crate, clipping any loose ends so dogs can’t chew on the heavy-duty plastic. Small holes may be drilled into the plastic bottom tray of the crate at the corners, and then zip tied to the nearby metal bars. While this may seem reinforced, the zip ties do provide something for your dog to chew, leading them to potentially ingest hazardous hard plastic shards.
- Secure the crate latch – Some particularly smart breeds learn how to unlatch their crate, allowing them to simply let themselves out as they please. In these instances, pet parents may decide to put some type of lock on the crate in hopes this will deter the behavior and keep their dog safe. These locks, however, present hazards of their own. First and foremost, locks of certain materials may give your dog something extra to chew. Next, if there is an emergency that requires you to let your dog out of their crate quickly, having that lock on the door latch simply throws an extra step into the mix.
There Is A Better Solution
No “method” of making a crate escape proof is failsafe when the crate itself is not escape proof on its own. Smart, anxious, and energetic dogs will learn, in time, to work around any efforts learned when researching how to make a dog crate escape proof. There is a better solution, and that is to invest in a dog crate that was built with an escape-proof construction.
Dog crates that focus on safety and indestructibility are escape proof to their very foundation, giving pet parents peace of mind and their dogs a safe, secure, and sturdy environment to relax in. A great escape proof crate will be constructed using a strong internal frame made from durable metal, and offer optional additional security accessories made specifically for the crate, like door guards for heavy chewers.
With an escape proof construction, these crates won’t require strategy to ensure the safety of your dog. You won’t need to figure out where to place each zip tie, wonder if you’ve clipped the zip ties enough, worry that your dog will chew on hard plastic or locks, and your dog will be able to be let out of the crate quickly in the event of an emergency. Escape proof crates, by being reinforced, are also safer for dogs who like to travel (by air or car) with their families.
Escaping Is A Big Deal
Dogs who are prone to escaping their crates really know how to give their pet parents quite a bit of stress. While nothing “major” may have happened yet, each time a dog escapes their crate, they are running the risk of injury or a potentially devastating accident. Bowel obstruction is one particularly dangerous issue that millions of dogs suffer with each year in the United States. This occurs when a dog ingests something undigestible, which then gets stuck somewhere in the gastrointestinal system. Some facts about bowel obstruction in dogs, according to Canine Journal, are:
- Symptoms – Bowel obstruction in dogs can come with a wide list of different symptoms, and pet parents should know all of them to ensure any issues are checked and investigated early. Some of the most common symptoms that will arise in dogs dealing with a bowel obstruction are loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, lethargy, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, dehydration, reaction to touching of the abdomen, restlessness, and persistent whining.
- Obstruction needs to be treated early – If your dog has escaped their crate, ingested a toy, chewed up a pair of shoes, or there’s any inappropriate ingestion suspected, pet parents need to make a call to their veterinarian for an investigative appointment straight away. Bowel obstruction in dogs can become fatal in as little as 3 days.
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Diagnosis and treatment is invasive and expensive – While a well-built escape-proof crate might seem like a big investment at first, it’s a sound one when pet parents learn just how costly life-saving bowel obstruction diagnosis and treatment is. Typically, the diagnosis will involve palpating the abdomen, taking X-rays, and inserting an endoscope into the dog’s stomach from the throat.
Once an object has been located, it will need to be surgically removed. The complexity of this procedure will depend largely on the object in question, the size of the object, and where that object is located within the bowel. For simpler and easier bowel obstruction procedures, pet parents may expect to spend around $800 to $1,000 for the surgery. For more complicated cases, this cost can rise to $7,000 or more quickly.
- Recovery – After surgery has been successful, the journey isn’t over yet. Bowel obstruction surgery is invasive, and it will require recovery time that needs to be taken seriously by pet parents. This recovery will include watching for infection, providing pain medication, and ensuring activity remains low energy until your dog is fully healed. For high energy breeds, like a Husky, Malinois, or Shepherd, this required downtime may be one of the most frustrating parts of the process for dogs and pet parents alike.
Bowel obstruction is just one big problem that plagues escape artist dogs and the pet parents who love them. Additional risks dogs may run after escaping from their crate include injuries to teeth, paws, or claws during their “break out”, ingesting poisonous materials, or even escaping out of the home onto neighborhood streets.
Crate Training Makes Escapes Less Likely
The urge to escape is common in dogs with anxiety, according to Dog Coaching Academy, but they’re not the only escape artists. Dogs who have high energy, but no anxiety, may try to escape out of boredom. Those with powerful noses, like hounds, may escape their crate simply because they smell something a little too good elsewhere in the house. While any dog can develop a habit of trying to escape, one of the best ways to avoid this is by approaching crate training in an effective, patient, and thorough way.
Your approach to crate training will make all the difference in your success. A dog who is properly and calmly crate trained will look at their crate like their place of rest, relaxation, and respite. It’s a place that eases their anxieties and a place they likely won’t have any want to escape. A few tips for successfully crate training any dog to love their escape-proof crate include:
- Take your time – Time is one of the most important things when it comes to successful crate training. Each step should be taken slowly, with emphasis on comfort and ensuring your dog knows the crate is a positive space.
- Never use the crate as punishment – It’s crucial the crate is only framed in positive and calm feelings, never fear, shame, or punishment. While it may seem like a good idea to give your dog a “time out” in the crate, this is the perfect recipe for creating an aversion to the space. Your dog should view the crate as a safe haven, not a place associated with negativity.
- Let your dog get used to the crate first – Before ever encouraging your dog to step foot (or paw) inside of the crate, allow them to get used to it first. The crate is a new object in their home, and a dog’s curiosity can either create positive associations with something new or negative ones. Place a new crate in a comfortable open space in your home for a period of a couple of weeks, and encourage your dog to sniff, lick, and approach the crate as they feel comfortable.
- Encourage with something special – Once your dog is used to the crate, you can encourage them to approach it by framing the experience in special treats, toys, or feeding times. You can give a favorite bone in the open crate, provide meals in the crate, or reserve certain toys for open crate time only.
- Try closed door time – Once your dog has grown used to open door crate time as they enjoy bones, food, or toys in the space, you can begin closing the door. With the door closed, give your dog a minute to start, slowly building up this time as your dog gets more comfortable. During this step, remain in the room with your dog and make sure they’re comfortable.
- Give them alone time – Once they’re used to about 30 minutes of closed-door crate time, they’re ready to try having a little alone time, with the door closed, in their crate. Start slow with short intervals at first, working your way up to 30 minutes to one hour.
With patient crate training, an escape-proof crate, and a confident dog, pet parents can enjoy a life where escaping the crate is a thing of the past.