How to Crate Train a Dog with Separation Anxiety: 7 Simple Steps

Dogs are social animals who crave nothing more than the company of their human companions. However, for many dogs, this attachment can become a source of stress and anxiety at the prospect of being alone. When dealing with separation anxiety in dogs, crate training is a widely recommended tool. However, not one that’s easy to master. That’s why a lot of pet parents find themselves struggling with how to crate train a dog with separation anxiety.

Are you in a similar predicament? Allow me to help with this guide on crate training for dogs with separation issues based on guidelines of the American Kennel Club on dealing with anxiety in dogs, expert insights from Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer Melissa Dallier, as well as my own experience of dealing with an anxious adopted pet.

Understanding Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation anxiety in dogs refers to the extreme emotional distress experienced when a pet is separated from the human/s they’re most closely bonded to. The manifestations can vary but, in essence, a dog suffering from separation anxiety will act as if they’re terrified to be on their own. While this can be viewed as one of the signs your dog loves you, if left unchecked, separation anxiety can lead to behavioral issues that pose a threat to your as well as your dog’s safety.

Besides, every episode can not only take a toll on your dog’s emotional well-being. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. describes it as akin to a panic attack in humans. As a responsible pet parent, you’d want to figure out a way to address separation anxiety sooner rather than later. After all, we all want to raise well-behaved, well-adjusted pets, and that includes instilling in them the ability to be on their own.  The first step in that direction is to identify the problem correctly and in time.

Signs of separation anxiety in dogs

Separation anxiety in dogs can manifest in different ways. Some may bark or howl excessively, others may show anxious behaviors like trembling or whining as they watch their humans prepare to leave the house. In some cases, dogs may even show signs of aggression when overcome with worry about being left alone.

My adopted adult GSD, for instance, would get extremely worked up and reactive whenever he sensed that I was going out. One time, in a bid to stop, he actually tried to grab me, resulting in a small bite on my stomach. That’s why I said, if not corrected in time, separation anxiety can become dangerous. While there is a whole spectrum of separation anxiety symptoms in dogs, the most common ones are:

• Trembling, whining, or pacing when they notice you’re preparing to step out of the house
• Destructive behaviors like digging or chewing, especially around the doors
• Urinating or defecating in the house despite being house-trained
• Panting and excessive salivation, leading to drooling
• Attempts to escape

According to research, these separation anxiety symptoms also account for people abandoning their pets, which, as you can imagine, only exacerbates the problems further.

Suggested Reading: Can You Train a Dog at Any Age? The Answer May Surprise You

Separation anxiety causes in dogs

Just like the separation anxiety symptoms, the underlying triggers can vary vastly. According to canine behaviorists, some of the most common separation anxiety causes include:

• Traumatic separation (most commonly seen in abandoned dogs — as was the case with my adopted GSD)
• Being left alone for prolonged periods
• Experiencing a traumatic event while alone at home (a break-in or even a bad storm)
• Personality
• Moving to a new place
• Sudden absence of a family member, be it due to death, divorce, or a child moving out
• Lack of exercise, according to recent research

Does Crate Training Help With Separation Anxiety?

Before we get to how to crate train a dog with separation anxiety, another important question needs to be addressed: does crate training help with separation anxiety? This may seem unnecessary since crate training for dogs with separation issues appears to be the go-to solution. However, it’s not quite as simple.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the crate is a helpful and crucial tool in the dog training process and is widely recommended for a reason. However, when a dog is already anxious and stressed about being left alone, it can prove counter-intuitive if you don’t learn how to make a crate a safe space for dogs with anxiety. Even then, being confined to the crate can be frustrating for some dogs struggling with separation anxiety. This can happen due to the following reasons:

Confinement anxiety

A lot of times, confinement anxiety can be confused with separation anxiety since the signs can overlap—attempting to break free, whining, barking, excessive drooling, etc. Now, if you have been training your dog to stay in the crate for the duration that you’re not in the house, their behavior can make you think that you’re dealing with separation anxiety. Or you may feel that your dog is getting restless because they’re away from you when in fact it’s the confined space that could be making them anxious.

One simple way to find out the separation anxiety vs confinement anxiety difference is to observe your dog’s behavior outside the crate. If they’re comfortable with you leaving when not confined, for instance, you could be dealing with confinement anxiety. It is also important to note that many dogs who struggle with separation anxiety may experience confinement anxiety as well. However, the reverse may not always be true.

Incomplete crate training

If the crate training is not done right, it can heighten rather than help with separation anxiety. For successfully training anxious dogs with a crate, you need to create positive associations with it, making the dog see it as a haven they can retreat to and not a place they’re confined to as a punishment for undesirable behaviors.

This can be done by adding chew toys or other interactive toys in the crate so that the dog is happy to spend time in it. This becomes even more crucial when you’re trying your hand at crate training an older dog. Missing out on this crucial step can make a dog resist the idea of going into the crate willingly or staying there peacefully.

Suggested Reading: How to Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch: Step-by-Step Guide

Only relying on crate training to address separation anxiety 

Crate training is just one tool for dealing with separation anxiety in dogs. On its own, it cannot change or help resolve anxious behaviors. You need a more well-rounded approach and other training strategies to identify the root cause and weed out anxious behaviors. In some cases, this may even mean working with a certified trainer to not just figure out how to crate train a dog with anxiety but also understand how to address separation anxiety.

Also, it’s important to remember that your dog may not take kindly to the crate when they’re going through a separation anxiety episode. So, you must never force your dog into the crate when they’re already emotionally worked up.

Steps to Crate Train a Dog with Separation Anxiety

Now that we’ve covered the necessary ground to help you understand separation anxiety in dogs, let’s help you find the answers you came here looking for. I’ve rounded up the best practices for crate training an anxious dog to put together this guide for you. As long as you follow the steps with patience and consistency, you will be able to see progress and break the pattern of anxious behaviors. Let’s take a look at what these steps to crate train a dog with separation anxiety entail:

1. Introducing the crate

Crate training for dogs with separation issues can only work if they’re not spooked by the idea of being confined to a closed space. That’s why it’s crucial to introduce the crate to your dog very tactfully. Begin by setting up the crate in a quiet corner of the house, preferably one where your dog feels most comfortable—like a corner they like to nap in.

• Leave the door open and encourage your pet to explore it. However, do not force them to go in. When your dog approaches or sniffs the crate, praise and reward them. If you have been using clicker training, click every time your dog engages with the crate. As your pet gets comfortable with the crate, up the ante. For example, instead of rewarding your dog for approaching the crate, reward them for sniffing it from the inside.
• Known as the shaping technique in canine training, this can be an effective way to get an anxious dog to respond to training without feeling pressured or stressed.
• If your dog has had a past traumatic experience with the crate or simply refuses to approach, the introductory phase can become a bit more challenging. In that case, you need to reinvent your approach. Here are a few things you can try:
• Instead of the crate, just place the bottom tray in the chosen spot and allow your pet to explore it first. Then, start assembling the crate gradually, allowing your dog to explore and get comfortable with it before adding another part
• Use their favorite treats and toys to lure them near the crate (near, not inside—we’re a long ways off from that)
• Sit near the crate. This may make your dog more confident in approaching it. Talking to them in a high-pitched voice can also help pique their curiosity

Suggested Reading: Puppy Chewing on Paws? Causes and Remedies

2. Create a positive environment inside the crate

Too many people struggle with how to crate train a dog with anxiety because an anxious dog will likely view the crate negatively since it keeps them away from you. You need to help shift that perspective by creating a positive environment inside the crate. Here is how to make a crate a safe space for dogs with anxiety:

• Adding a bed inside the crate. If your pet is attached to their existing bedding, maybe place that inside the crate for the duration of the training
• Add a cushion or blanket with your scent
• Place treats, toys, and puzzles inside it
• Start feeding your dog near the crate, gradually moving their food bowl inside the crate so that they can associate it with a pleasure experience like eating

You will have to keep up with this till the time your dog starts entering the crate willingly and happily.

3. Get your dog to stay in the crate

This is one of the most crucial steps to crate train a dog with separation anxiety because it’s about overcoming that threshold of uncertainty, fear, and nervousness and embracing the crate as a safe space. It must be handled correctly. Once your dog has started entering the crate willfully, you need to work on increasing the time they spend in it. Here are some tips that can help:

• Shift the reward and praise benchmark. Offer your dog a treat, along with praise, when they’re fully inside the crate. Feed them the treat slowly—the objective here, again, is to build a positive association. Do not close the crate door at this stage
• Gradually increase the time for offering the treat from when your dog enters the crate to 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, and 5 minutes after they’ve been inside
• Then, offer treats when your dog starts settling down in the crate
• Once your dog starts spending 15 minutes inside the crate even with the door open, you can take it a notch higher by closing the door and offering them a treat. Open the door after about 5-10 seconds, and offer another treat or reward them with playtime
• Repeat this process, slowly building up the time for keeping the door shut till you can get to the point where your dog starts staying in the crate with the door shut for at least 15 mins
• Then, rinse and repeat, this time with the door locked

If your pet starts getting restless, resist the temptation to bring them out and shower them with love and affection. This can undo any progress you have made thus far. Training anxious dogs with a crate can be a long-drawn-out process as it is, you don’t want to make it worse with a one-step-forward-two-steps-backward approach. If your dog whines or exhibits restlessness, wait till they quiet down before letting them out. This is also your cue to take the training process a step or two behind.

Suggested Reading: Can Resource Guarding in Dogs Be Cured? Yes, It’s Possible!

4. Start leaving your dog alone in the crate

This is the trickiest of the steps to crate train a dog with separation anxiety. So far, you have been around your dog for the duration that they were in the crate. But the goal here is to learn how to crate train a dog with separation anxiety so that they can be calm and safe even when you’re not around. For that, you need to work on getting your pet comfortable being alone in the crate. While challenging, it’s certainly not impossible. The following best practices for crate training an anxious dog can help:

• Start by walking a few steps away once your dog is settled inside the crate. Avoid making any sudden moves or startling noises
• After a few seconds, reapproach the crate and offer your dog a reward and praise for staying calm
• Repeat this process, gradually increasing the distance and duration till you get to the point that you can leave the room without your pup getting worked up
• Even when leaving the room, start with a few seconds at first, and slowly increase the time
• Reward and praise every time

Note: When you return, do not engage with your pup immediately. They will likely get excited upon seeing you. Let them settle down and then let them out

5. Switch up when you leave your dog alone in the crate

Dogs are smart creatures who understand routines all too well. If you follow the same schedule for crate training your dog, they will learn to anticipate it. This can make them anxious, and as I already said, crate training can prove ineffective, and counter-productive even, when your dog is in a heightened emotional state.

When you get to the point in the training process where you can start leaving your dog alone in the crate, vary the timings. While structure and routine are unavoidable in the normal course of life, switching things up in the training stages will weed out anxieties that hinder the process.

6. Desensitization toward departure cues

The final step in crate training for dogs with separation issues is to desensitize towards any cues that you’re about to leave the house—picking up your keys or bag, putting on a coat or shoes, and so on.  This can be done by exposing your dog to these stimuli that make them anxious in non-stressful settings over time. The idea is to make your dog so accustomed to the trigger that they don’t react to it. Here are some steps for desensitization while training anxious dogs with a crate:

• Ask your dog to go into their crate and wait till they’ve settled down
• Now, act out any one departure cue such as putting on shoes, wearing your coat, or getting your bag, but don’t leave the room
• Wait a few minutes and then put the item away
• Repeat this process with different cues, sporadically throughout the day
• Once your dog stops reacting to these cues, you can start leaving the house with
• them in the crate, for brief periods. Then, slowly increase the time

For desensitization to work, you must start at a point that your dog can tolerate without getting too worked up.

Suggested Reading: How Do Dogs Communicate — With Each Other and With You

7. Tips for reducing separation anxiety in crate-trained dogs

Now that your dog is crate trained and doesn’t get anxious at the prospect of being left alone, it’s crucial to be mindful of a few things so that there are no relapses or setbacks. Here are a few tips for reducing separation anxiety in crate-trained dogs:

• Exercise and mental stimulation: As I mentioned, research has found that lack of exercise and mental stimulation can be a contributing factor to separation anxiety in dogs. To make sure your dog is calm in their crate, you must exercise them adequately and offer enough interactive toys to keep them mentally stimulated
• Never use the crate for punishment: Sure, it can be frustrating to deal with your dog’s anxious behaviors when you’re running late for work. However, punishing them or using the crate as a place for “time out” is not the answer. In fact, it can be counterproductive for crate training for dogs with separation issues. If you use the crate to punish your dog, they won’t see it as a safe space, and every time you try to get them inside the crate against their will, their anxiety will worsen
• Don’t leave your dog alone in the crate for prolonged periods: Even if you have been able to successfully address separation anxiety issues with crate training, you should never leave your pet in that confined space for hours on end. It will make them frustrated and can cause anxious behaviors to recur. Crate time should be brief, not more than 4 hours in any event. Even that can be a lot for a dog with underlying anxiety issues. So, assess what your dog is comfortable with and make sure you get your pet out of the crate before that threshold is crossed

Takeaway

You now know how to crate train a dog with separation anxiety, but I’d like to reiterate that this is no magic pill to cure anxiety. You need to simultaneously work on addressing the underlying cause of anxiety and departure training. Only when blended with a well-rounded approach, training anxious dogs with a crate can prove effective.