Crate Training Basics

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I know she will, or a reasonable facsimile thereof! By six months even, you'll notice a huge difference. It's exhausting at first, much like bringing home a human baby, but it is SO worth the effort in the end.

We've been able to take Oliver everywhere with us since he was 7 months old as long as he had his crate and his special crate blanket. He's stayed in hotels, without making a fuss (but he slept in my bed) as long as he had his "home". Henry isn't as experienced with his Crate due to Oliver's health issues now, but he is still very portable. It's nice to be able to take the dogs with us wherever we go, should we choose.

[Blackie65]

Im having trouble finding things that Ringo will enjoy in his crate, he does not like the kong (or just hates peanut butter!) Ideas?

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Jill, try an ice cube! Although they can melt, it's only water, and not much of it. They're free. You may wish to also investigate other chew toys, with different textures.

I also wish to add that too much Peanut Butter can cause very loose stools! My dogs LOVE peanut butter, but if either one of them had a Kong filled with it, even at their mature ages, they would both have diarrhea.

Ringo is also still so young that his wants and needs are ever changing. A toy that he will like today may not appeal to him next week. Try not to spend too much money on "gimmick" toys, and find something that is safe, and won't have any loose bits that could come off and on which he could choke or ingest.

Sorry I can't be more helpful. Keep thinking of him like an infant, and what you would do to comfort an infant, only make it "dog friendly".

[virgilsmama]

Deb, that sounded so sweet, "treating him like an infant", and it is so true! Think like they are babies, because they are!!1 Love that!

I completely recommend Nyla Bones! There are bones in all shapes and sizes, have used these for almost 40 years! They cannot be broken or splinter, they are safe. All three dogs use them...alot! Also good quality natural bones from the USA if you can find them, we always do, or Canada, we trust products from there too.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Liz, you are always so sweet and so encouraging! We all appreciate it. ♥

I am often reluctant to use the "infant" reference as some people really cross the line between dog and human child in an unhealthy way. However, now that I know Jill better, and know that she is a daycare provider, I think she is one of those adults that can keep it in perspective. Already having raised children of her own helps as well. I'm not sure I would give the same advice to a young 20 something, childless or not.

With puppies, as with babies, just when we think we've "figured it out", everything changes and we need to adapt. One day, it all seems to come together...usually by 1 year of age. Although certain breeds and types, like Labs, Hounds and Terriers will have some "forever" puppy in them.

A good sense of humour is always required, along with endless amounts of paper towels.

[Bob Y]

I would appreciate some advice. I have a 9 month old mix who has been in the crate overnight for the 2 months since I adopted her. I've had her out of the crate all day since I got her and for the last month or so there have been no accidents. She's on a 4-walk-a-day schedule, which I'm slowly trying to make a 3 walk day. Is there any advice other than 'don't put her in the crate at bedtime'? I'd like for her to sleep on the bed. Thanks in advance.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Hi Bob! It sounds as if you've made excellent strides in the two short months you've had your girl. Since everything is going well, I wouldn't change a thing just yet.

Generally, up until a full year of age, we consider puppies to still be puppies, and therefore not 100% reliably house trained. She may still have an accident at night and she is used to her crate. The crate is her safe place, where she feels totally comfortable. In there, she knows it is bedtime and sleep time.

However, there are no hard and fast rules! My Cavaliers have slept in a bed with either me, and/or one of my sons, since they were 4 months old. If you think that your dog is ready for all night in your bed, then give it a whirl. You will know quickly enough if this is a good idea. If you find on the first try that it doesn't go successfully, go back to the familiar routine for a few more weeks, or even months, and then try again. Some dogs never adjust or like sleeping in our bed, and others take to it like a duck to water.

Remember that you want to continue this successful house training more than you want her in your bed. Since she is doing so well during the daytime, I too would take the reduction in walks slowly as well. You've only had her for 2 months which isn't very long.

Clearly you have good instincts, so continue to follow them, and kudos to you for adopting.

[Bob Y]

Thanks so much for the advice - I think you're right. By the way, the puppy is joining a 10 yr old Cavalier, and they're having a ball!

[DurzoBlint]

Hello everyone, New to the site hoping to get an easy fix for my crate training question.

My wife and I just adopted a 8 week old French Bulldog named Bronson. He is now 11 weeks old and from day 1 we started crate training him.

After putting him in his crate he cries non-stop. I have crate trained several other dogs before this dog and none of them cried more than a few days after they got use to the crate. Unfortunately, Bronson just isn't getting it. The crate is in the laundry room so if he makes a mess it is easy to clean up after. Here is what we have tried so far:

-But a few chew toys in the crate with him.
-Put one of my shirts in the crate that I wore that day.

We have had some limited success with this method, but it hasn't worked when we all go to bed:
-Have him in the crate for a few hours at a time with us in the front room (he doesn't bark/whimper much when we do this.

I want to find a solution as I only get a few hours of sleep as I am woken up by his whimpering after a few hours. Sometimes it is because he has made a mess in his crate, other times it is just because he wants out. Bronson is getting close to being house trained, but the fact that he can only hold it for so long is the only real factor for the setback.

Any help anyone can provide or suggest would be greatly appreciated.

[popsicle129]

Hi! I guess it's too late to answer and hope your dog is just fine now. However, I read somewhere on this forum that the time a puppy should spend in his crate is : his age in month + 1 : result in hours. So I think you should set your alarm every 4 hours to get him out. I do this with my dog and he's doing fine in his crate. Remember it's only temporary. Is everything okay with your dog now?

[nyxpuppy]

I got my puppy almost 3 weeks ago now. Crate training at first was really easy, she went in with next to no problems after the first few days. Then I had some friends over to meet her and as much as I tried to keep her on schedule, she just won't listen anymore. I put her in the crate and she whines and cries almost all day and all night again. I do take her out first thing in the morning, a friend comes at lunch, I take her out again when I get home from work and in the middle of the night but still if she hears me or my cat moving around she just cries and cries now where she didn't before. I'm getting rather sleep deprived and I'm sure the other tenants in my building don't appreciate it either. Any suggestions?

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Stay consistent! It's hard, but they all go through this. Have you read through this entire thread? There are some wonderful tips in here.

You didn't mention how old your puppy is. 3 weeks isn't very long for an adjustment even for an adult dog in a new environment.

Expect to be sleep deprived until your puppy is about 16 weeks old, at least, or another measure would be for the first four weeks. It's only been three. Hang in there, stay positive and consistent, and eventually you will sleep again.

[Nileska]

"WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE ANYWAY ?".....Any puppy,or for that matter,human youngster,will roll out their complete repetioure of histrionics to achieve their perceived desires...It is our duty to explain to them the error of their ways...WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE !...Like the 17th Lancers of lore we ride into the "Valley of Death" one more time...That puppy or child does not realize we have been there before...

Well kiddies,I have been around this block so many times I thought would have some fun with it...Please forgive me I am becoming old and weird...(Im entitled)...

I can recall only two Huskies that were difficult...Both were "crate busters"...No histrionics,they just worked diligently on destroying the crate and escaping...We would put the first one in his crate before going to work in the morning and when we returned find him on the couch watching television...Finally found an industrial strength crate for him...

The second one was a BIG tough boy who broke out of 5 of my crates.doing considerable damage in the process...He was a rescue in transit...During his stay I was briefly sent to the hospital leaving my OH to deal with him...She contacted a friend about 50 miles away who was also involved in rescue....Miraculously said friend had a couple who was looking for a dog like him and dog and people hit it off famously...They named him Teddy and he got to sleep on the couch (or wherever else he wanted to)...It was a match made in Heaven....go figure

[ackerleynelson]

The tips you provided for the crate training are really good and would be very helpful for the people who are keeping the pets first time.

[marge218]

It is hard for me not to stop using the crate. Our baby rams into the dog trying to get out.
We are going to use these tips to see if it helps.
I realize being consistent is hard for me but very important for Splotchy.
Thank you so much