Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Making your dog’s crate escape-proof isn’t difficult – here’s how

Try these tips to beef up your dog's crate and keep them inside safely

PawTracks
By

Is your pup an escape artist when it comes to their crate? While it can be maddening to return home to an empty crate, a guilty dog, and a shredded sofa, an escape attempt can also be dangerous for your dog. Military-grade dog crates may seem like the only recourse for your little Houdini, but (almost!) any crate can be made escape-proof.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

30 minutes

What You Need

  • Zip ties

  • Drill

  • Padlock

  • Dog blankets

  • Crate cover

Dog sleeping in a crate.
Jennay Hitesman / Shutterstock

Can I lock my dog in a crate?

First, let's cover how your crate should eventually be used. Many dogs will grow to love their little den, and go there completely unprompted. But that takes time and dedication (we'll cover how to crate train them below). During toilet training, you'll likely need to keep your puppy in the crate to prevent accidents and teach him how to potty outdoors.

After the training period is over, some pet parents opt to keep their pup in the crate when out of the house and overnight (many dogs will stay there on their own and don't need to be locked in). This works especially well if your animal is prone to destruction or anxiety. Others decide to retire the crate and set up another spot for Fido. The important thing to remember: Never use the crate as punishment or correction. It's a safe space for your dog.

Labrador lying in crate
Parilov / Shutterstock

Reinforce weak spots

Most dog crates are collapsible for easy transport and storage. However, what makes them convenient can also make them weak. The walls and floor are often your dog’s first point of attack, and the latches that you thought were sturdy can turn out to be child’s play for a determined Fido. But there are a few things you can do to fortify these problem areas.

Step 1: Strengthen the walls.

Grab some zip ties and attach them to each corner, taking care to trim the tie short enough that your pup isn’t able to chew them.

Step 2: Toughen up the floor.

Drill small holes on the corners of the plastic tray and attach zip ties, again taking care to trim the tie.

Step 3: Add padlocks.

Purchase a small padlock and add it to the latch if your little escape artist has figured out how to open his door. Be sure to keep the padlock keys in an easily accessible and memorable place.

Close up of Labrador dog looking out of a barrier fence
Dima Demyanov / Shutterstock

Crate train your dog

Proper dog crate training is one of the most important steps in ensuring crate safety. If your dog has never encountered a crate before, don’t just lock them in with a treat and disappear. Imagine if you were left in a cramped, unfamiliar place that you knew nothing about.

Sounds frustrating, doesn’t it? Your dog feels the same way! There are countless articles, books, and videos that break crate training down into easily manageable tasks, so pick one that you’re comfortable with and get to work!

Step 1: Introduce the crate.

Start by offering treats in and around it, progressing to feeding meals in the crate. That will make him excited to go into his little cage because he associates it with food.

Step 2: Practice locking the crate.

Then retreat to another room before you return and open it. Start by leaving for under a minute and build up in small increments. Eventually, you'll be able to go for long periods without any fuss.

Step 3: Make the crate a retreat.

Dogs are den animals. They crave small, dark, comfortable places to relax, de-stress, and sleep. Your dog’s crate should be their den. Line the floor with a soft blanket or a shirt with your scent.

Step 4: Dim the lights.

Consider purchasing a crate cover to create a more den-like environment. Towels or blankets are good substitutes and provide the same function. If your dog comes to see his crate as his space, he'll be more likely to seek it out for his own comfort, making him less likely to hatch an escape plot.

Small dog in crate with stuffed animals
CandelaCut / Shutterstock

Keep your dog entertained

Some dogs escape their crates simply because they’re bored. You wouldn’t want to be confined to a small space with nothing to do for hours — and your pup wouldn’t want that, either. If you’re sure that your dog will not destroy them, try to include some of their favorite toys. Squeaky toys can make for a fun distraction, and rubber toys can help alleviate the desire to chew on less desirable things, like the dog crate itself.

Many pet owners find that a frozen treat provides hours of distraction. Simply freezing yogurt, peanut butter, canned pumpkin, or other dog-friendly treats in a rubber chew toy can give your dog with enough entertainment to make their time in their crate more desirable. A distracted pup is a happy pup!

Making your dog’s crate escape-proof doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. Simple reinforcements will ensure that almost any crate can take a beating without giving way. Crate training your dog, making the crate a desirable retreat, and entertaining your dog while in their crate can go a long way in making any crate escape-proof, as they simply won’t want to leave. Following these tips just may make your little Houdini hang up their cape! If you want to know more, you can check our different ways on how to puppy proof an apartment.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
PawTracks
PawTracks
Why do dogs dig into their bed? An annoying behavior, explained
This dog behavior is common, but can be cause for concern
A brown dog in a dog bed

You hoped your dog "dug" their bed when you spent hours researching the top brands with the comfiest products. Maybe your pooch took to their bed immediately — success. Alternatively, perhaps they decided your bed was a better fit, and you chose to roll with the choice. Regardless of which option you two settled on, you may notice your pet has an interesting bedtime and naptime routine: digging into their beds.

The digging is usually accompanied by some walking around in circles, nosing at the bed or any blankets, and repeating until they finally settle down and enjoy some sweet slumber. Why do dogs dig on the bed, though?

Read more
Why is my dog barking at nothing? There’s often a really good reason
Your dog likely isn't barking at "nothing" after all
Side profile of a Siberian husky stands in the water at the beach and barks

Virtually every dog barks every now and again, but sometimes that barking can get to be too much. It's easier to address excessive barking when you can figure out what your dog is trying to tell you or alert you of, but dog owners know it's not always obvious. In fact, it can be a bit unnerving when your dog is barking at an empty wall.

You're certainly not alone if you find yourself asking, "Why is my dog barking at nothing?" This is a common question among dog owners, and it's something that veterinarians and animal behaviorists have studied as well. There's usually a reason behind dogs' barking, after all, so it's worth looking into to make sure your furry friend is alright.

Read more
How to make a dog throw up — safely, quickly, and at home — after ingesting something they shouldn’t have
Tips to make your pup vomit if they swallowed a foreign object
An old, tired golden retriever lying down

It can be terrifying to find out your dog swallowed something they shouldn’t have — whether they got into the Halloween candy or scarfed down something inedible — but learning how to make a dog throw up can turn a scary situation into a close call. First things first, you should always reach out to your veterinarian if you suspect your pup ingested a foreign object. Then, you can take advantage of one of these at-home techniques for inducing vomiting if your vet gives you the go-ahead.

Read more