Crate Training a Puppy. Help!

[OceanAnnie]

We are getting a puppy very soon. We are excited! The kids are over the moon. Any helpful advice on what worked for you while crate training would be appreciated. I am totally new to this. If you have a website that was more helpful than others, I'd be so glad if you passed it along.

How long (ballpark) does crate training last? I'm just looking for a general range. I'm sure it varies quite a bit. Just wondering what to expect. I'm preparing now.

Thanks!

P.S.- I'll check back later.

 

[abdmom]

I'm still crate training my almost 9 year old male Bichon, LOL. My 3 year old CKC spaniel goes in with him so he doesn't cry. Otherwise, she's trained. My 12 year old Beardie had one accident in the house when we first got her - when she was about 2. We stopped crating her after about 6 months.

 

[mjkacmom]

You don't want the crate too big, but just large enough so it can stand and turn. The puppy needs to be in the crate whenever its not being carefully supervised. When the puppy is out of the crate, watch for signs of having to pee/poop (sniffing/walking in circles). Take the puppy outside frequently.

I lucked out with my current dog (rescued at 6 months). She was 100% crate trained and housebroken. She's almost 2, goes into her crate every night when she's tired, and sometimes for naps.

 

[mrsv98]

We are getting a puppy very soon. We are excited! The kids are over the moon. Any helpful advice on what worked for you while crate training would be appreciated. I am totally new to this. If you have a website that was more helpful than others, I'd be so glad if you passed it along.

How long (ballpark) does crate training last? I'm just looking for a general range. I'm sure it varies quite a bit. Just wondering what to expect. I'm preparing now.

Thanks!

P.S.- I'll check back later.

It really depends on the breed and temperament of the dog. For instance, Labs are "puppies" for a loooong time, at least two years. They are very mouthy and like to chew. We didn't let our labs have free rein of the house until they were like four or so and had settled down. Now at 6.5 and 9.5 yo, their favorite thing to do is sleep on our bed while we are gone

Our little rescue, OTOH, may be in her crate when we are gone all her life. She gets very anxious when left out and becomes destructive. It is better for all of us if she is crated. She doesn't mind her crate and will go in there to sleep even if we are home (as will the big girls).

We always have made the crate their "house", in fact the command we use is "in your house" then we give treats and praise immediately. This way they associate it with something good. We also have never (or very very rarely) used it as punishment. We prefer the open wire crates except for our oldest lab who likes her privacy and has a dark mesh sided crate.

When puppies, their crates were always in the kitchen so they were not isolated from the family. We also made a point of not letting them out when they were fussing/barking/whining. If you do, it only reinforces attention seeking and you will have trouble keeping them in. There were times when we had to act fast, if they were quiet for even a minute or so, we would praise, "good quiet" and then let them out.

For potty training, it is important to make sure the size of the crate is not too big. Try and keep a routine. Take the pup out, praise potty activity and treat. If the pup doesn't go, then back inside and back in the crate for 15 minutes and repeat until he potties outside. When very young, the puppy will need a lot of sleep, like a human baby, so the crate is a good place for quiet time.

I know there are people who think crating is mean but really, I have raised multiple happy, funny, well adjusted dogs in this manner.

Good luck with your new baby!

 

[goofy4tink]

Crate trained both my goldens. And the funny thing is that the first one loved his crate so much that we left it up until the day he left us!!! Never closed the door, just left it open and he went in there as he wanted!!!

So, get a crate that will be large enough for the dog to stand up in and turn around in when he is grown. That will make it too big now...so, get a box to put in the rear of the crate until the pup is bigger. If you allow them a lot of room in the crate, as puppies, they will go to the far back corner and do their business there...which kind of defeats the purpose of a crate.

My pups were kept crated if they weren't physically with me. If you aren't home, the pup goes in the crate. In it overnight. Where you put it is up to you.
Keep the pup in the crate when not attending to it. Let the pup outside every few hours, when crated. Then, as soon as the pup does his business, tell him how wonderful he is, and bring him right back inside.
The crate shouldn't be used for punishment..ever. It is the dogs safe place to go. You can put in a blanket or towel. Also some chewy toys.

There are some good books on crate training, and puppy training as a whole. Get some and give them a read. It's really easy. Remember....a well trained dog is a happy dog. Don't be too soft on your pup. Your family and the dog will all be happier in the long run!!!

 

[yoopermom]

All of our dogs, inside and out, are crate trained when little. The primary reason we do this is because, if they ever need to recuperate from injury or surgery, they will rest quietly in one since they're used to it.

We keep the door open on the crates in the house at all times, and often 2 or 3 of the 4 dogs will choose to lay in their crates, all on their own.

Potty training (which is part of crate training) can take a loooooooong time, be consistent and don't get discouraged. Puppies have tiny bladders, and you don't want to set it up where they learn to potty in their crates and get used to standing in it. Yuck. The first year I got up at least twice a night and let them out, and one female who I swear has the world's smallest bladder still wakes me up once a night (at the age of 4). Don't expect any puppy to "hold it" if everyone in the household is away from home for 8 or more hours during the day, it's unlikely to happen. If you control when it goes in, you'll have a better idea of when it's going to come out.

Good luck!

Terri

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The short answer is it depends. It depends on the dog, how training is going, what your schedule is like, if someone's home during the day, etc. My dogs never used the crate for more than a few months until they got the idea about going outside. After that in our household, no crate needed. But everyone's different.

My biggest suggestion would be to pick up copies of Good Owners, Great Dogs and My Smart Puppy by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. They also have other books and a website. http://mysmartpuppy.com/

 

[eliza61]

No advice on the crate training as the boys and dh did that. I was to woosie and let hobbes out all the time. "bad pet mom!" but some one sent me this letter to be placed on your refrigerator at pet nose height.


Dear Dog and Cat'
The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. the other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing.

The Stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I'm fatter, I've got gravity on my side and I'll faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. I know sleeping perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible with your tongues hangin out is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get the pan under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. It's exactly what I was looking for.

Pea-n-me, I have the book you suggested on hold at the library. I should have it in a day or so. I've also bookmarked the website you provided. Thanks a million!

Eliza, I am going to print off that letter and stick it on the fridge! Thanks for sharing it.

This is going to be, Adventures in Puppy Ownership, for sure. I haven't had a puppy since I was a kid. I'm ready to fall in love again. I think it's going to be a lot of fun (and yep, work). It's a whole new world. I suspect it will be like having a baby in some ways. Haven't had to routinely get up during the night in a pretty long while. But that's okay. That's what you sign up for.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What kind of dog are you getting, Annie? Different breeds and types have different issues.

 

[OceanAnnie]

What kind of dog are you getting, Annie? Different breeds and types have different issues.

A beagle. The kids have had their hearts set on a beagle since we've been talking about getting a dog.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

A beagle. The kids have had their hearts set on a beagle since we've been talking about getting a dog.

Aww, that's so cute!

 

[yoopermom]

We have hounds, and you can use the beagle's natural love of scenting to help with potty training. We've always used the same exact spot in the yard, and even, when they're little, carried their solid "accidents" out and put them in that spot to help them learn. They're usually chow hounds, too, so if you take to carrying tiny bites of something really good (soft treat, cheese, etc) at all times with you, and the minute they're done pottying give them one, they'll quickly figure out that it's a good thing to potty outside. You do have to be very careful about inside cleanups, though, because they'll smell where they went, and think they should go there again.

Can't wait to see the pictures!

Terri

 

[StitchFanZ]

I don't know what ages your kids are but I have noticed that younger kids often want to 'play dog' and crawl in an out of the dog's crate. I don't let them do this and explain that the crate is the doggies den and that the dog needs a place where it can go and know it can rest and not be disturbed.

And get some enzyme based cleaner like 'Natures miracle' or other brand for cleaning up any accidents in the house. These cleaners will remove the smell completely.

Enjoy - pupplies are such a blessing

 

[yoopermom]

Another highly important thing to teach a beagle is "speak" and "quet" upon command. We start this when they are VERY little. The trick is they have to learn "speak" first in order to understand "quiet"! This website does a pretty good job of explaining it:
http://www.schnauzers-rule.com/teach-dog-to-speak.html

Basically, in the beginning, you either encourage them to bark, or when they are barking, you associate the word "speak" (or whatever word you choose) and treat them. You will literally see a light bulb click in their head after a few sessions when they get it that barking gets them a treat.

Then you turn it around and after they bark X number of times (we allow 3), you growl "quiet" and flash the treat, normally that will startle them into being quiet, and you treat them immediately. For Olive, who was a frenzied barker from little on, I would growl "Quiet", show her the treat, then throw it behind her, as far away from whatever was exciting her as possible.

Beagles do LOOOOOVE to bark, but they can learn to control it!

Terri

 

[gottaluvPluto]

We have two labs that we crate trained and clicker trained. Our labs were completely trained by 4 months. I highly recommend clicker training as well as the crate. Our dogs are so well behaved and people are shocked at what they can do.

Remember to give your dogs plenty of toys to chew on! If you have kids with stuffed animals, do not give your dog a toy that looks like a stuffed one. He will get confused and think it is one of his toys and then little kids get upset.

 

[yoopermom]

I don't know what ages your kids are but I have noticed that younger kids often want to 'play dog' and crawl in an out of the dog's crate. I don't let them do this and explain that the crate is the doggies den and that the dog needs a place where it can go and know it can rest and not be disturbed.

We have one rescue dog that is, unfortunately, a confirmed biter, just because of the above. Her original owners had very small children who would chase the dog into her crate, poke and prod at her, and the poor dog could never feel safe anywhere. She finally snapped at them, and was gone. If your children are very young, you can drape the crate like a birdcage, and tell them that "Puppy's gone night night".

Terri

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks again guys.

Thank you for the website, yoopermom. I bookmarked it.

The kids are around double digits, so there won't be any crawling around in the crate. I will emphasize though this is the dog's quiet place and the dog will be off limits when she is in there.

We have had talks about dogs and behavior since they were wee little ones. They know dogs are responsive and they have responsibility for their own behavior. This came about from preparing them to be around friends and family's dogs and stranger's dogs. We have had ongoing talks about how to behave around the dog and what to expect. I'm sure that will continue.

I have looked up the pros and cons of beagles. I know they like to bark! I'm hoping to reign that tendency in, so yoopermom, that information was valuable! I have to say I have some trepidation, but I'm excited too.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

I always put a flannel sheet or fleece blanket over the crate at night so they get that cozy feeling and aren't bothered by people in the next room or a light going on. Gives it a real den feeling.