HELP!!!Trying to crate train 4 month old

[Bunny]

any suggestions on crate training? the breeder said just to put her in the crate and leave for a while and do that often through the day. she carries on so whinning and biting the crate. is this how the ones of you that crate train do?
it just brakes my heart to hear her plus i'm scared that she'll hurt herself.

please help!!!

 

[kayboxer]

There are so many articles on the net for crate training. I would research crate training and also use the forums here on Boxer World. You will find TONS of information here also. Just do a search in the dog training forum. Not all dogs are the same so not every suggestion will work for you but you will get tons of ideas.

 

[gmacleod]

What does "leave her there" mean? Do you actually leave?

What you've got to figure about crate training is that the aim of the exercise is to persuade the puppy to come to see the crate as a relaxing, if not enjoyable, place to be. That's not really going to happen if she's put in there and left on her own. In those circumstances, she'll see it more as a prison and it's natural that she'll find it stressful. Since that's the opposite of what you want, it makes some sense to try to avoid that.

Often, a good way to accustom a pup to the crate is to choose your placement and moments well. Keep the crate in your living room, or wherever the centre of activity is in your house. If you spend the evenings watching TV, then the best place for the crate is alongside the couch or wherever it is you're going to sit. If you spend all evening in a den or office on a computer - crate goes at your feet. The point of this is so that any time the dog is in there, she is NOT isolated away from you, but rather is still right there amongst the family. The crate then has a chance of becoming her private bed to relax on.

Good times to pop her in there then, are the times that you're going to be sitting right there doing something inactive (like watching TV or surfing internet). When the dog would probably choose to sit at your feet anyway. At these times, you could just encourage her into her crate, give her something to chew on, and with some luck, she'll settle down reasonably happily. It is only short periods that she should be in there anyway (also pick the times she seems sleepy).

Does that make some sense to you? If the crate is well placed, you're right there, and you choose quiet times when she'd just be dozing anyway, you're far less likely to meet resistance from a stressed puppy. Over time she should become relaxed and happy with the crate, and hopefully even come to see it as her place to relax in. That's less likely to happen if she's forced in and then left alone there - so do try to choose the times when you're going to be right there doing nothing exciting anyway.

 

[Abby Angel]

I found useing an all wire crate is much better than the enclosed ones that my neice is useing. The puppy can see you at all times in the all wire crate. I played a game of throwing a toy in the crate and Abby would run in after the toy,then I would tell her good girl. I am lucky enough to be home alll day with her so her cage door is open all day unless I go outside,need to mop floors or we go somewhere etc. She will just go in her crate to nap on her own or if she has done something bad she goes in there for time out. She loves her crate and she is only 6 months old. Of course she sleeps with us at night! Don't just put your puppy in there close the door and walk away. Gradually get her use to it and do give her something to cuddle with and chew on. Maybe even give her an old shirt of yours that has not been washed that has your scent on it so she feels your comfort. Good luck...don't give up...crates are wonderful and she will get to love her own little space....Your in my thoughts, Marie

 

[haydenboxer]

I found the opposite. use the enclosed crate and dont just put the pup in there when your gone. get him used to being in there when your home (watching tv, cooking, whatever). the key is to make the pup feel like the crate is his safe place and he will want to be there. do not use it for punishment. I had my boy in the crate until about 4.5 months and then took him out. He is now 5.5 months and even though he is perfect in the house he still wants to check out his crate every now and then.

 

[kayboxer]

I am lucky enough to be home alll day with her so her cage door is open all day unless I go outside,need to mop floors or we go somewhere etc. She will just go in her crate to nap on her own or if she has done something bad she goes in there for time out.

You might want to not use the crate for punishment purposes. They will begin associating the crate with punishment and you will end up with a dog that hates a crate.

 

[ncarino]

Hello,

I don't have a pup - yet - but someone on here (I'm sorry I can't remember who and I can't find the post that had the information on it) suggested Dr. Ian Dunbar's "Before You Get Your Puppy". I read it, and am reading it over and over again - as I will be sticking to the methods when we do bring puppy home...

The link to the online book is:
http://www.siriuspup.com/beforebook.html

Thank you to who referred me to this reading... if you read this, please post so you get the credit! ...and I know you received my thanks

 

[larrygs]

Our experience with the enclosed type is the same as Haydenboxer. Early on we also had here in her crate when we where home at times. In particular to help maintain a daily structure on the weekends that was similar to during the week when we were away at work.

We also give her a "special treat" every time she goes in her crate. The special treat is nothing more that a mini dogbone treat, but is the only time she gets that kind. Just reaching for the box of treats will get her flying through the house to her crate, opening the door with her nose, and waiting inside for us.

Layla is 12 months old know and she still uses her crate at times. Sounds odd, but we're weaning her off of it.

 

[Bunny]

crating 4 month old.

we just need to leave her in there buy herself and her kong, when both husband and i have to be gone. it's not that often or at long periods because husband is retired but i work. as it is now he stays with her 24/7 unless i am home. but sometimes we both need to be gone like for dr. appts.
she will go in and sleep during the day in her crate but if the door shuts or she is awake its terrible.
we didn't get her just to leave her. we love her so very much!!!!
thank you