need help crate training

[carriecrowe]

I have a 6 wk old pup and i am wanting to crate train her because she too is trying to chew up my walls in the bathroom (just like the other 2 did). The thing i am using as a crate is 2 laundry baskets. It is cheap, but i know it will work for my pups size. I tried it last night. She did fine for the first 3 hrs, then started whining and crying and it about drove me nuts. I am needing to train her because often i have things going on that i have to leave her unattended and like many of you say crate training is one of the safest things for her. I want to particullary train her for overnight since she is getting towhere she wants to chew everything in the bathroom up. Can you help me? i need to know what to do or how i can keep her from whining all night long. I know they say break her in slowly, but how long is to long to keep her in the "crate"?

thank you for any help

[Darth_Vaders_Mom]

Carrie ~

Your pup is so young. She is whining because she wants her mom. She'll soon move out of that stage though. You'll have to cope with the whine another week or so probably. For now, I would purchase a regular crate with a comfortable bed she can snuggle in. Because she is so young be prepared to clean up messes. I'd say around 9-12 weeks of age they start to get the "going outside" part! Plus, she will need frequent outside visits. But you are doing the right thing. Crates are wonderful for when you have to be gone. That way you know they are safe! We have a Great Dane puppy that is 9 mths old & I just leave the door open now when I'm here & he goes in on his own! He loves his Den & I started crating him as soon as we brought him home at 3 months of age. Good luck to you & be patient. Enjoy that puppy stage as it doesn't last long! I can't believe Vader is already 9 months! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Bow Wow Beds

[ March 04, 2004, 10:33 PM: Message edited by: Amberlii ]

[carriecrowe]

I know my home made crate isnt the best, but i assure you it is good enough. It is big enough for her to stand on her hind legs and get up and actually walk around in. i do put lots of blankets and sheets in there for her to be well bedded down. I heard the pup should only be able to stand up and turn around (not walk around) so in that sence, the "crate" is fine. Right now that is the best i can do since money is short. I need to start training her before she gets into something poisonus.. she is already tearing the wall paper off (which is no big deal since we are going to redo it anyways) i just dont want her to do that when we put up the new stuff. I also know to expect messes, i have had 2 other pups the same age so i know what to expect, but we are going to try to train her to be a house dog instead of an outside dog. Wouldnt it be better to start training them early for stuff like crates?

[berahid]

try getting a clock that ticks and putting it in a sock or a stuffed animal. It will make her feel like someone is in the crate with her, and she will cudle with it. Or turn on a radio by the crate. We did this with both of our puppies and it worked well. A lot of the time I just gave in a and let them sleep with me, but when i didnt, they did fine with the radio. HAVE PATIENTS. There will be more whining. My dog is now 2, and whines when he wants something. They are like children, they whine till they get their way.

[carriecrowe]

patience is something i need to get... i have a 1 1/2 yr old, a 2 1/2 yr old little girls that can be VERY frusterating alot of the time. Plus i have 2 big dogs i am working on training (which is going very well) and now precious. she is doing better in her behavior since i have really tied down on her and not let her get away with anything. She knows the word NO very well . She had a nipping problem and i think i have that pretty well under control right now. She still jumps on people (me and the kids) i am working on that too, my main concern is the crate training. I never thought of putting a clock in there, I will either try that or a stuffed animal the kids dont play with and that im not fond of. We will see how that works..

1 more question........

how long is to long to keep her in the crate for beginners? and if she starts whining, should i wait till she stops whining before i let her out? and last but not least, would covering the crate with like a light sheet or blanket help any or will that make it worse?

thank you for all the advise, please keep it coming.

carrie

[carriecrowe]

bump.... can anyone please answer my questions in my last post(before this one of course)

[GretaJack]

Since Precious is still so young she can probably only be crated for a couple hours at a time before she needs to be let out to potty. This is during the day. The crying is so normal. Your best bet to get her to stop crying when she's crated is to simply ignore her. Scolding her or shushing her is simply rewarding her for her behavior. She is crying because she is alone. When you react to her whining in anyway you are paying attention to her and that is what she wants. She just won. And don't let her out when she cries because she will learn that crying gets her our of the crate. If she is quiet, even just for a couple seconds, then let her out. I think that the hardest thing to do is to ignore a crying puppy. If you feel bad then it just drives you nuts. My 8 month old still cries when I crate him. But usually is quiet within a minute or so. He just wants to remind me that he is crabby about not being able to do what he wants to do. He likes his crate but only wants to be in it when he says it's nap time.

[Riley Rose]

Here is what worked for me.I bought a cong and put some of my dog's
food kibbles in it with some peanut butter,chilled it in the freezer for a
while,it served 2 purposes,kept him distracted and helped with the
teething.When a puppy gets bored they whine or chew.Good luck.

[Dogs of Romance]

Every year, millions of dogs are surrendered to the pounds and humane societies because they are believed to be "untrainable". Their "bad behaviour" includes chewing furniture and shoes, barking too much and ignoring commands - all problems that are not permanent and easily corrected if you take the time to do so.
As difficult as it may be to remember, your dog is not a little person. You cannot reason with a dog to get him to behave the way you would like. Even though they have shared our homes for thousands of years, dogs still retain many of the instincts and characteristics of the wild dogs from whom they are descended. Bred from ancestral wolves, dogs are both pack and den animals and for this reason, most dogs will accept a crate as part of their lifestyle. Like a baby's playpen, a crate or cage is a place in which your dog can stay when you are unable to keep an eye on him.
Choosing a Crate

A crate is a dog's very own special place. When you choose a crate, be sure to select the correct size for your dog. The crate must be large enough for the adult dog to stand up straight, turn around and lie down in a stretched position. Crates usually come in two varieties: fiberglass and metal. A fiberglass crate will provide a greater sense of security for your dog; a metal crate is collapsible and will allow for better circulation.

Introducing Your Dog to the Crate

For crate training to be most successful, your dog must be properly introduced to the crate. Crate training should begin as soon as you bring your new dog home. Equip the crate with water and a blanket or towel. Start off slowly and increase the time gradually. Place the crate out of the way, but not away from the action: your dog is one of the family, and needs to feel he is not being banished when confined in the crate.

Introducing your dog to the crate should be positive and fun. Never place your dog in the crate after disciplining him. Your dog needs to feel the crate is a happy, secure place. Select a command such as "Into your house". Encourage your dog to enter by tossing a treat into the crate. Leave the door open at first. Once your dog enters readily, close the door for a few minutes, and praise him with a cheerful, positive voice. Leave your dog with a special chew toy, just for the times he is in the crate.

Scheduling is very important. Ideally, young puppies would not be crated for more than three hours at a time - they cannot be expected to hold their bladders for more than a couple of hours. Adult dogs should not be crated for much more than eight hours. If you must leave your puppy or dog for longer than the ideal length of time, be sure the crate is arranged to provide a bedding area and a papered area to accommodate "accidents". If your dog needs to use the papers in the crate, under no circumstances should you scold or punish him.

Any complaining your dog may do at the beginning is not usually caused by the crate, but by the new controls set by this unfamiliar environment. Do not let your dog out when he whines or complains. By doing so, you will only reward his bad behaviour. When your dog settles down for five minutes, release him from the crate.

Once you feel your dog can be left on his own, you may practice leaving him alone for short periods of time. Allow your dog access to only certain areas of your home. As with children, place breakables and dangerous items well out of reach!

Your dog's crate is a tool that should allow you to have a smoother, happier relationship with your dog. It is not intended as a place to leave your dog and ignore him.

While crate training is a very effective method of training your dog, it may not be the answer to every behaviour problem your dog might exhibit. If your dog seems to be taking a long time to come around, do not give up! Your dog can be trained to be a fastidious member of your household regardless of age. Just be sure to give your dog every chance to do the right thing, at the right time, in the right place, and let your dog know you love him for him!

The Golden Rules of Crate Training:

The crate belongs to your dog. It should be off-limits to children.

You are the "pack leader", and you are in charge. Your dog needs to learn this!

Never let your dog out when he is whining. Giving in will make it more difficult to train him.

Remember, you are doing your dog a favour by keeping him safe and out of trouble when you are unable to supervise him.

Your dog's crate is not intended for long hours of use. When you are at home, your dog needs to be out of his "house" and in your company.

Never use the crate as a means of punishment.

Do not place the crate in a draft or in direct sunlight.

Do not leave a collar or tag on your dog when he is in the crate. It may catch on the bars and cause injury to your dog.

[Dobester]

VERY VERY VERY VERY old thread