Question on Crate Training

[perrybl]

I've read a lot of the posts and threads on crate training as well as the short (and helpful in a lot of ways) article on the actual website, but I'm a little confused on how to crate train a puppy. I you're using it to potty train, do you just send the pup to the crate everytime he goes when he isnt supposed to as if you're punishing him? if thats the case, wouldnt the crate be more of a place for punishment then it is for 'home?'

i've never crate trained a dog (the dog i had when i was growing up had a doggie door and we used newspapers and my mom spanked it). now, i know that spanking is extremely discouraged and i dont want to get off on a tangent on that... but i was hoping to learn more about the specific process of potty training with a crate. if there is a particular thread that i missed (and i apologize if i did), i'd be happy to read it. thanks so much for any help/advice.

 

[Jan]

You might want to download "Before You Get Your Puppy" by Ian Dunbar. It's a free download from www.openpaw.com He has some great information on how to crate train your puppy.

Good luck!

 

[apollosdad]

the link that jan provided is a very good start if your wanting to learn more about crate training your dog.
in answer to your questions:
1) No. you never place your dog in his crate as a form of punishment. they are to never associate a negative experience with being in their crate. the crate is to be looked at as their home.
2) Never spank your dog!
Do some further research on this site or read the provided links before your get your dog. It is best to prepare, inform, and educate yourself as much as possible BEFORE bringing home a new pup. there are also plenty of good books to guide you along the way. check out the "books" forum.

 

[perrybl]

yea. the research is one thing... i've been reading up for about 3 weeks now... but it is so much more helpful to hear things from individuals. what really works. i'm a student teacher right now, and its one thing to hear the philosophies of teaching and maintaining a classroom-its totally different to actually experience it and hear from teachers first hand. i'd imagine its the same here. thats why i decided to ask, rather than just keep on reading without seeing/hearing any application to the methods.

 

[Melgoglia]

I use to think crating a dog was cruel leaving them in that cage all day. Once I learned how it worked it's wonderful. You treat the crate as you would their bedroom and the idea is that they learn to not go in their house thus not going in your house either.

Both Brandy and Abigail were crate trained. In the beginning I started crated them for small amounts of time starting at maybe 30 min to an hour and moved up from there. Yes they cried but this is only temp. Once out of the crate, out the back door we went to one spot telling them to go potty. When we had Brandy I taught her to go to one door the same door each time so she learned how to tell us when she needed to go out. She would go to the door when she needed to go out and stand. Abigail we bell trained her hanging a bell on the back door she rings it with her nose letting us know she needs out.

Back to the crating I worked with the back door and crate at the same time so that they would understand crate means rest time, bed time and potty is done outside. In the beginning especially at night you will have to get up a few times as pups are not able to hold it all night. I was told they could hold it approx 1 hour per week of age. In the beginning I wanted Abigail to sleep with me but that really delayed the crate training process. The sooner they learner the sooner they become housebroken for the most part. I give Abigail a small treat each time she is crated therefore she associates the crate with something good.

Another point about crating is when your not home you do not have to worry about your fur baby getting into something or destroying the house. Needless to say I changed my mind and wouldn't do it any other way.. Patience is the key..

 

[EKR16]

What type of treats do you give them as rewards? I want it to be something that she will really enjoy & look forward to...

 

[apollosdad]

the treats are realy up to you dog's individual taste. however, i have seen that dog's have a tender spot for peanut butter flavored treats, as well as liver. treats for rewarding such as for training should be kept small and varied from one to another to keep your dog guessing and motivated. however, general treats "for the fun of it", can be varied as well. try looking up a recipe under the "recipes forum." there are quite a few. apollo especially loves the peanut butter/honey cookie recipe.