Crate training

Naomim

We are hoping to welcome a puppy into our family next week. She's a rescue and is around 14-16 weeks old. There's no history, she was left at a vets with two litter mates. We are assuming they are not used to being in a home.

We have had a dog before but never crate trained. Our dog slept on our bed and had full run of the house, but was a smaller breed than the one we're getting. I'd rather not have another dog in the bed.

MrM is against cage training but I wanted to hear people's experiences good and bad. Pro's and cons.

Thanks.

Savvy_Sue

Rather than assuming, you could check with the rescue what the puppy is used to: she may have been fostered in a home, but you need to know as much as you can!

For example, if this is the first time she's been an only dog, you have to take that into account. She may be lonely, especially at night.

I can't offer any advice, but I believe the crate should be seen as her refuge, her safe space, to which she can always retreat, rather than a cage to confine her.

elsien

Done properly, crate training is absolutely fine. Dog’s safe space and stops them eating things when you’re not around to stop them. Mine takes himself in there to sleep even though he’s got two other beds round the house - I’ve covered it with a blanket as he likes having something over his head. 

Wish I’d known about crates with my first 2 rescues then my carpet, chairs and door frame would still be intact.
If MrM is rightly worried about leaving a pup on its own at night you can bring a crate into the bedroom to start with then slowly move it out as pup gets older and more confident, and if you want to. 

The dogs I know who’ve struggled with crates are those where they’ve been locked in as punishment, or they’ve panicked because they’ve not been acclimatised, or similar reasons. 
Have a look at the Facebook page Dog training Advice and support. Their puppy guides (including crate training)  are brilliant and they only use positive force free methods. Be careful though because there is a copycat page that gives terrible advice. 

Naomim

Thank you, yes it is the rescue that assume she's not used to a home. 3 puppies were left at a vets. No microchips or anything.  They believe they were probably bred to be sold as Christmas gifts. Not sold and getting too old and big so dumped. They have no history. They've been at the rescue almost a week directly from the vets.

I would only be interested in using a crate as you have both mentioned, safe space not punishment.  

We did have our old dog from a puppy but will refresh my rose tinted glasses as it's been a while! 😁

Savvy_Sue

Also as it's a bigger breed than you're used to, make sure the crate is big enough to be comfy!

sheramber

Crate training is useful if , in future , the pup needs to have an operation and needs containment afterwards. it will be less stressful if it is used to a crate.

I used a crate until my pups were about 18 months- when I felt I could trust them when left alone. However, by that time the crate was never shut so they could choose to come out if the wanted to. 

One dog used his crate  all his life. He liked to in an enclosed place and the crate was covered with a sheet.  The others graduated to a dog bed ( or two).

I bought a crate big enough for adult size and used a cardboard box lined with a blanket at the back of the crate as a cosy bed. I lined the crate with newspaper so the pup could move around outside the bed area.

When leaving in the crate to go out I gave a filled Kong. I only needed to lift the Kong and they ran to their crate.

Naomim

Thank you so much for your replies and experiences. MrM not keen but I'm going to work on him.