Crate training puppy

blossomsuz

You could try a Kong filled with something tasty, I fill my dogs Kongs with squishy stuff then freeze it, takes them ages to lick it all out.
My concern now would be that you do not appear to have enough time to get the pup happy with the crate before he is due to be left alone. For now try leaving him somewhere secure (kitchen) with the crate with the door open and put his fave blanket and Kong in there.

teddysmum

Another way to help a puppy get used to a crate is to have it near you and not tucked away in a corner or in another room. Then you can give physical contact and praise, while the puppy does not feel isolated.

monty-doggy

I do have a kong, he likes that and I've given it to him when we go out. It looks like I'll have a couple more weeks before going back to work so more time to prepare him. I think my mistake has been not going out enough while I've been off work, as I've loved being at home with him.

I'm planning on puppy classes looking into it locally.

I'm learning too, it's my first puppy and I want to make sure he is happy. I left him today for two and a half hours and he seemed ok when I got back but I think he heard me pulling up on the drive and barked as I approached the door so I'm unsure if he cried the whole time but his kong and treat ball were empty so I doubt it!

Thank you for the advice. I will keep up with it all and fingers crossed he will settle down

teddysmum

monty-doggy wrote: »

I'm planning on puppy classes looking into it locally.

Many vets do puppy socialisation classes. These are not training classes , but get the puppy used to being with other dogs and handled by other people. Those at my vet surgery are run by one of the nurses, are quite cheap and are useful step before official classes (especially for small breeds as some other puppies are huge to them).

monty-doggy

I've been out today, my oh came home after pup had been alone for an hour and he wasn't crying. Spent an hour with him then left. I got home an hour after that and again no crying. Looks like we're going in the right direction

krlyr

teddysmum wrote: »

Many vets do puppy socialisation classes. These are not training classes , but get the puppy used to being with other dogs and handled by other people. Those at my vet surgery are run by one of the nurses, are quite cheap and are useful step before official classes (especially for small breeds as some other puppies are huge to them).

Do be cautious with puppy parties though. It's not just about socialisation - it's very important that it's all positive socialisation. I unfortunately had a bad experience at a puppy party, two Malamute siblings ganging up on my GSD pup, which excerbated her fear of dogs. They were only playing, but they were too young to have learnt the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour with other dogs - probably worsened by living with each other (they would most likely have practised this kind of behaviour with each other frequently).

Ideally you would want to mix a puppy with polite, well-mannered dogs that can a) provide it with a positive experience and b) teach it these good manners. Puppies are generally too young to be that kind of dog, so don't really learn good habits from each other - but often pick up bad ones! Vet nurses and vets won't really focus on the behaviour side of things in their studies, so unless they have a personal interest in it, they may not be the most savvy people for training & behavioural issues.

http://www.petforums.co.uk/dog-training-behaviour/244723-puppy-parties-good-bad-ugly.html shows some of the mixed experiences


A trainer local to me offers what I think sounds like a good alternative (I haven't had a puppy in 10 years so no idea how it really pans out) - she arranges a group walk, with max 2 puppies, then a mix of friendly adult dogs. If they meet other dogs out on the walk (as she goes to a local country park), she personally intervenes and checks that the dog is friendly before allowing the puppies to carefully meet it.

This way, the puppies learn how to meet and greet new dogs in the kind of environment they're likely to meet dogs at in the future, without it being a free-for-all in a confined space with lots of dogs with little manners.

teddysmum

There is good and bad in all dog 'training' . That is why it is a good idea to go and view what goes on (looking for only positive methods, no punishments and no 'choke chains'), without your dog. Anyone refusing this viewing, I would avoid, as I once did. I have also enrolled in class then asked for a refund, because the class was bad (Dogs out of control and so dangerous).

As vets have lots of puppies taken to them for vaccinations and checkups, they should be able to sort groups according to a puppy's needs and size. The vet classes aren't meant to train; just to gently socialise among other puppies and humans.

monty-doggy

My friend has a dog who went to puppy classes. We met her dog for an hour this evening, it was lovely to see them together.

This is the most loveliest and amazing thing I've ever done. It's hard work, but so worth it!