Dog crates are often used to confine a dog when they are not in the home. Crates can also be utilized for travel, such as an airline crate or in daycare facilities. However, many dogs will find ways out of these crates which can cause damage and injury if they escape while their owner is away from home or business without it being secured properly- leading owners to worry about how much risk their pet might be putting themselves or other animals at.
In this article, we will go over the best ways to make a dog crate escape proof and the causes why dogs try to escape dog kennels.
Reinforce weak spots to ensure the crate is escape proof
Crates are great for containing your pup and keeping them safe. They’re also easy to transport since they fold up into a small area that won’t take much space in the back of your car or on top of an airplane. But sometimes dogs escape their crates when you aren’t looking–and if they do, it’s important to make sure there are no weak spots around so that future crate escapes don’t happen again.
To reinforce the walls and floor of a collapsible dog crate with zip ties is just one way to keep them secure while still making it possible for pups to get out quickly should the need arise:
First, reinforce those areas where pups can easily slip out such as at the corners by using zip ties. Next drill some holes near each corner then use zip ties on each hole before attaching anything else Finally attach zip ties from one side of all four edges towards the center – this will prevent pups from escaping through any single spot.
Add padlocks to secure the Dog Kennel
When you are thinking of making your dog’s crate escape-proof, the use of padlocks is a good idea. If your dog has been known to pop open the latch and bolt of their kennel with ease, adding a padlock over it can make sure that even if they do manage to get out, there will be no getting in and out for them.
To reinforce this with an extra layer of security purchase a lock like this one from Amazon and then use it to reinforce and secure the dog crate.
Secure the latch to stop your dog from escaping from the crate
Make sure that your latch is secure on your dog’s individual crate before leaving them behind for any period of time by securing it with something like a chain and clip (which should keep the door shut) or zip ties (which would attach around one side so that you could remove them easily).
The latch on your dog’s crate can be a problem if they are able to escape through it. There are two ways that dogs often manage to escape; by pushing the door open with their nose or scratching at the catch area until it falls off and then squeezes out of there. If this is happening regularly, try reinforcing the latch with some zip ties.
Crate train your dog – Teach the dog to stay calmly in a crate
It is important that you train your dog to calmly enter a crate. If they have never seen one before, try putting them in as soon as possible and then giving them treats while they are inside. This will make it easier for the animal to learn that being put into this enclosure means receiving some tasty morsels of food!
A long process with many setbacks can be expected when training your dog how to deal with crates; patience (and plenty of treats!) is key!
Crate training your dog will teach them to stay calmly in their crate on command so they know when the time comes for them to go outside or inside.
The goal of crate training your dog is to have them spend time in their enclosure without going crazy. This can be a challenge but with the proper setup and some patience, it should not be too difficult. You just need to make sure that you provide appropriate chew toys and bedding for your pet while they are locked away during this process, which will help teach them that being inside is better than roaming around outside (which could result in potential injury).
As always, try providing positive reinforcement when your dog does something good–say “Good Dog!” or give him/her treats after flawlessly staying within their space for an extended period of time!
Make the crate a retreat so your dog would never leave
If you are looking to create a safe and comfortable crate for your dog, consider the following tips:
Creating a space that is cozy yet spacious. Your dog should be able to stretch out comfortably without getting its head stuck in the bars or another obstacle. This means there needs to be enough room within their crate so they can stand up and turn around easily but also have enough room on all four walls of their home away from home–the “crate.”
Choosing an appropriate size should be done according to breed. If your pet weighs less than 10 pounds, then choose one with dimensions smaller than 36 inches long by 24 inches wide by 18 inches high; if it weighs about 25-50 lbs., go for 36 x 27 x 23 respectively (lengths). For those who weigh more than 50lbs., select one measuring 42″x27″x26″.
There are several things you can do to make your dog’s crate a place they never want to leave, and the first is by providing them with chew toys, games, water, and treats. Making sure that they have plenty of distractions available for them inside their crated environment helps create positive associations about being there.
This way when you take them out for walks or playtime your dog will feel like he/she has something worthwhile waiting for him/her at home rather than wondering why he/she was put into a dog cage in the first place (and then eventually resort back to barking).
Keep your dog entertained to help them stay in the dog crate
It is important that you provide your dog with enough enrichment so that it stays entertained while in its crate rather than resorting to undesirable actions like these.
To keep your pet happy and busy inside the boundaries of its cage without trying to escape, try different types of toys and treats–such as rubber bones- which will be incredibly satisfying for any type of pet including dogs who love chewing on things! To stop an escape attempt altogether, reinforce simple cues (grunting) with food rewards after each successful confinement period in the crate lessens down until finally giving up entirely or there are no more occurrences within a certain amount of time
One of the tricks for making a dog crate escape-proof is to provide your pet with plenty of toys and treats that he or she will love. This way, when you’re away from home, they’ll have something fun to occupy their time as well as some snacks in case you forget anything. Avoid overfeeding them though; too much sugar can lead to obesity and other health problems in dogs.
Regular Exercise and Exercise Before Crating To Help Relax in the crate
Regular exercise and exercise before crating are important for dogs to adjust to a dog crate. When your dog enters their crate, they need a familiar environment that is safe in order to relax and sleep well.
Dogs should have enough physical activity before being placed into the crate so that they do not feel restless or anxious about confinement when entering the dog cage for sleeping purposes- otherwise it can lead them to act out through destructive behaviors like chewing furniture or destroying things around them because of boredom or when let out.
Regular exercise is a great idea in order to make your dog happier and healthier. This will helps them get rid of excess energy and also help them feel happier and relaxed, which can potentially help reduce barking or bad behavior.
One effective way that we have found has been helpful for me personally- providing dogs exercise outside of the crate before putting them inside helps reduce confinement time without increasing anxiety levels within the home due to overstimulating stimuli from being cooped up all day.
Regular exercise and exercise before crating are two key factors that make a crate escape-proof. After your dog has had some time to digest its daily routine, you can begin the process of preparing for a new one with an enclosed area.
How to Reinforce a Dog Crate
When creating an escape proof dog crate, it is important that the construction of the door and top are reinforced as well. To reinforce this area, add additional clips to every side of the door and also at both ends of each clip on either side.
You can also buy plastic pipes from your local hardware store (1/2 inch diameter) that fit snugly around the edges or use wire ties for extra reinforcement.
If you have any problems with your latch, such as when your puppy has been able to pry open a damaged slot so they could get out before then take care of these issues right away by adding carabiners onto each latch hole so they cannot be opened without picking up first in order to break off one part instead opening all four parts simultaneously like before.
There are many reasons why a dog might escape from their crate, one of the most common problems is that they simply get bored, or because they’re hungry or want to go outside, so it’s imperative you reinforce your dog’s understanding that going inside the crate means staying in for playtime.
This can be done by making sure there are toys inside with them at all times. A Kong toy will help keep them busy while also providing some comfort during confinement; make sure food and water bowls stay full at all times as well as place them in an area of the home where nobody goes often (such as a guest room). It may seem like too much work initially but if your pup learns these rules early on, then his future experience should be positive ones!
Teaching a dog to use his crate is not an easy task, but it can be well worth the effort. If your pup begins to demonstrate destructive or aggressive behavior while inside the crate stop using it immediately and consult with a professional trainer or veterinarian.
Reinforcements are necessary for long term success so take this into account when you purchase items such as food bowls, mattresses, chew toys, and extra blankets for training purposes; make sure that these supplies are sturdy before giving them to your pet.
Let Technology Help You
One of the easiest ways to make your dog’s crate escape proof is to install a Furbo dog camera. Cameras come in many shapes and sizes, with some being motion-activated so that they can detect activity within the house or outside around your property.
The video feed from these dog cameras can be used for two-way communication with your pet as well as for monitoring behavior and preventing accidents such as chewing on cords or other items that could cause harm.
The Furbo camera is really good as it can dispense treats for your dog and it can be done remotely which is one of the benefits.
The other way to use technology is by using DogTV as a way to entertain your dog while you are at work. The DogTV app is available on almost all devices and is very popular because of the brilliant dog-specific program that is created to distract and engage dogs.
Don’t Be Dramatic When Leaving
A dog crate is a necessary tool for any canine companion, but this doesn’t mean that you need to make it an unpleasant experience. It’s important for dogs to feel safe and comfortable in their crates–and many benefits await those who make sure they aren’t left inside too long or locked up as punishment.
Always Check The Latch – Seems Simple But this is the number 1 reason Dog escapes from the Dog Crate
Always make sure the latch on your pet’s door is securely fastened.
Always double check the latch on your pet’s crate to make sure it is secure and will not open accidentally. This simple step can prevent a lost or wandering animal from happening by chance, which could lead to unwanted accidents like chewing up furniture or creating more work for you as well as expensive vet bills if your dog gets out and has an accident in public.
Get A Stronger and More Heavy Duty Dog Crate
If everything fails then it might be worth buying a Heavy Duty Dog Crate To secure your dog. A heavy-duty metal cage is made of thick reinforced metal and escape-proof locks, making it virtually impossible for dogs to break free (unless they have an ax :)).
If you can afford this type of crate make sure to buy one with additional features such as proper ventilation or even entertainment items like toys or blankets inside!
Amazon offers a variety of options to pick from when it comes to escape proof dog crates. However, you should be aware that not all crates are created equal so make sure the one your choose is sturdy and built for long-lasting use.
One option would be the ProSelect Empire Dog Crate which has a four and half star rating on Amazon with over 1275 reviews with most people praising its sturdiness and ability to hold up against escape artists and dogs who get excited while in their crate as well as offering enough space for them too stretch out or lay down.
Determine The Problem To Find An Effective Solution
Dogs escape their crates due to boredom, separation anxiety, fear, lack of attention, or just not liking being crated. Knowing the cause can help you determine which method is best for your dog and also prevent future problems from occurring.
Here are other reasons why some dogs try to escape from their crates:
- They want to go outside.
- They want to explore.
- They want to play with other dogs.
- They are hungry.
- They are thirsty.
Final Thoughts
It is very important to make sure that your dog will be comfortable in its crate. The way you do this, is by creating a safe and secure environment for the dog when they are inside of it. They must feel comfortable, but not restricted to staying in their kennel at all times even when the owner is home.
The best way to prevent escapes is by providing them with crate training and comfort while confined as well as encouraging good behaviors such as staying calm during confinement periods so there are not any behavioral problems later down the line because of bad experiences early on
