Housetraining an older dog without a crate makes sense considering how, oftentimes, older dogs may not be comfortable being crated. The good news is that a crate isn’t always necessary to make housetraining happen.
If you recently adopted a sweet, grey-muzzled senior dog, you may be planning to house train him the traditional way with the use of a crate.
Yet, that’s not going to happen. From your new dog’s perspective, that crate isn’t a cozy den. It’s ultimately a foreign, uncomfortable box that looks like a big bear trap and that’s ultimately the last place he wants to be.
Just like you may struggle convincing your grandfather to trade in his ancient flip phone for a smartphone, your older dog is set in his own ways, He just can’t see what’s the purpose of staying enclosed in a small, tight spot.
So what to do in this case? What steps can you take to minimize the chances for accidents while teaching your dog that the right place to go potty is outside? Let’s discover several strategies.
Why Do Older Dogs Struggle with Crate Training?
While crates are often advertised as being a dog’s “den,” basically a safe place where dogs can retreat to and feel safe and secure, the truth is that, unless dogs were introduced to them early, they’ll be perceived as restrictive, little prison cells that cause dogs to feel trapped.
Introducing an older dog to a crate is like expecting you to sleep in a tiny tent instead of your king-sized bed. This is something not easy to adjust to, right?
If you have tried introducing your older dog to a crate, it’s therefore not surprising if he backs off and tells you in doggy language: “No, way, I am getting inside that little box!”
The reasons for this reaction may be several. At the top of the list is often the simple fact that your dog may have never been crated before. In these cases, it come natural to rebel to confinement, as the dog senses a loss of freedom.
Senior dogs may also dislike being crated because they may be suffering from mobility issues such as arthritis or joint pain. Being confined in a small space may prevent them from being able to stretch out properly.
Older dogs may also avoid crates like the plague if they have a history of suffering from separation-related distress. These dogs may have learned to associate being crated with being left alone, causing them to feel stress rather than a sense of security.
Avoid Forcing Your Dog Inside the Crate!
It may be tempting to just force the dog inside the crate by pulling him inside, or even pushing him, but doing so risks only backfiring.
These approaches will only cause dogs to plant their paws like cement blocks, categorically refusing to go inside.
While this may look like a dog being stubborn, in most cases, what you’re really dealing with is pure panic. These dogs risk injuring themselves, as they try to break free. Broken nails, scabbed noses and even broken teeth are some of the possible consequences.
If you therefore insist, your dog may panic and associate the crate with stress, causing him to become even more anxious.
Furthermore, if you use treats to lure him inside the crate of force him inside by pulling or pushing him, your dog may even start losing trust in you and believe that the treats you are offering are a trap.
What Can You Use to House Train an Older Dog Without a Crate?
If your older dog shows clear signs that he isn’t comfortable with the crate, stop trying to convince him otherwise.
You’ll just raise more and more suspicion and negatively impact any potential trust that was building between both of you.
Instead, aim to offer some alternative solutions that allow your dog to feel more comfortable and secure in his new environment. Here are several options.
Use Gated Areas
Rather than using a crate, consider sectioning off a safe area of the house where you can keep your dog without causing him to feel trapped. The use of a baby gate can therefore come handy as it allows your dog to have some freedom but without having his movement restricted.
Create an “Open Plan”
Place a comfy bed at the end of this designated area along with his water bowl, food bowl and toys. At the opposite end, just by the baby gate, you can place some pee pads or a dog grass potty box just in case he needs to potty when you’re away.
Dogs are naturally inclined to not want to soil where they eat, drink, sleep or play and therefore he may walk towards the baby gate if he needs to go potty.
This should give you enough time to open the baby gate and encourage him to go potty outside.
Use a Playpen
Many dogs struggle with crates, but feel better if they’re enclosed in a playpen. In the playpen, again, place your dog’s bed, food bowl, water bowl on the deepest end and some pee pads or a dog grass potty box right by the playpen’s opening.
So How Can You House Train an OId Dog Without a Crate?
Yes, you certainly can! You will simply need to keep a watchful eye on your dog.
Should You Totally Give Up the Crate?
Not necessarily. If you keep the crate door latched open and commit to placing some tasty treats or toys inside every now and then, your old dog may start being interested in it, and may start voluntarily entering it on his own.
If you catch a glimpse of your dog interacting with crate and he’s OK being praised, make sure to acknowledge his exploration efforts by telling him what a good boy he is!
With time, your dog may start learning that the crate isn’t a scary place after all.