Dog Crates (merged)

suki1964

14 weeks old and pup cant be expected to hold on - or go to toilet on demand every time - hes still learning as are you.

I wouldnt expect a pup to be fully clean and dry at that age - no matter what people say and yes I have had three pups all dry clean by 12 weeks so I know it can be done, just dont EXPECT it.

What I woud be inclined to do is teach puppy toilet commands so that you know he has been before you leave the house which will give him less chance of soiling before your return. I have used a crate as a safe place for pups and as their beds at night but they have never been closed in for more then a couple of hours and only when fed, watered, toileted and tired. At night I have got up to let them out to toilet - slowly they could go the night - by around 6 months anyway.

Just shutting pup in a crate wont teach him anything. What you need to do is work on the toilet commands and positive reinforcements for when he does get it right and keep on ignoring the accidents. Dont use paper or leave the pup home alone with the run of the house, a small hard floored room is best - kitchen or utility - anywhere where little damage can be done and where mess can be cleared easily

daisykinn1

I wouldn't use a crate they are too small. But we used a puppy pen for our pup at night or when we've popped out. He had his bed, some toys, water bowl and a puppy pad in there. We put him in there at half 11/midnight and let him out 7am.

The pen is now always open (he's 6 months) but he still chooses to go into his pen if he wants some private time. I highly recommend them for young pups that you can trust to wander free overnight. Ours was similar size to the one below but square instead;

Jummy

We have just taken our 6 month old springers crate away and have had no probs with her.
We got a massive pink one from ebay when we got her in January and set it up in the kitchen and bella had no probs sleeping in it.
I used to put her in it if i went out and overnight and the rest of the time she just used to wander in and out of it as she pleased.
We had builders in last week and had to take the crate down and she was fine without it.
She now sleeps on her donut in the kitchen or on the sofa.
I'm glad we got the crate but also glad she's now out of it.

trampyblonde

Thanks guys - all of your opinions have been really usefull.

We are getting on really well with him and he is learning....just taking time which is what I expected. I just hate the thought that i'm doing something wrong, then its unfair on him.

One thing we've started to do is massively praise him when he goes to the toilet outside....we were doing this before but probably not as much as we should have been. I think this is working really well. Time will tell!

Thanks guys!:j

suki1964

trampyblonde wrote: »

Thanks guys - all of your opinions have been really usefull.

We are getting on really well with him and he is learning....just taking time which is what I expected. I just hate the thought that i'm doing something wrong, then its unfair on him.

One thing we've started to do is massively praise him when he goes to the toilet outside....we were doing this before but probably not as much as we should have been. I think this is working really well. Time will tell!

Thanks guys!:j

Keep on with the huge fusses when he gets it right and ignore the mistakes and you will be amazed at how quick he gets it. Do expect the odd mistake, do expect to go backwards at times - just keep on with the praise

Just_Me_4

We used one to stop our dane chewing when we went out (never went out for more than an hour or two) and it worked she doesn't chew anymore. Never really had a problem with toilet training.

MadDogWoman_2

Hi,

I'm after some guidance. I have a 7/8 year old greyhound, she's a rescue, when we adopted (4 years ago) we knew that she had problems with separation, which we improved separately.

However, in the last few months it's gone a bit pear shaped, her pack position has changed as I had a baby, with the accompanying 9 months off, the problems started when I returned to work in January.

She does have a DAP diffuser but obviously I'd like her to be comfortable with her own company without it - she's not an only pet though as we have 3 cats too.

But we are now living in a house were we can't have curtains as she pulls them down, batons the lot. This week she as destroyed 2 cat flaps and the shopping basket underneath my DD pushchair (my fault for not putting it away).

I'm putting her back on Burns dog food, finances meant she has been on Bakers for a while. I've also ordered her a crate plus an appointment at the vets to formulate a game plan.

But what are the biggest dos and don'ts when crate training for this problem?

MDW

Misty_Blue

The absolute biggest thing is to make the crate a nice place, never a punishment. The point is to capitalise on the dog's inherhent desire to have its own den, so much so that it goes there voluntarily if it wants a bit of peace etc.

They way I start is this:

1) Introduce the crate into the room and just leave it there for a day or so with the door open. Some dogs will go in to investigate, some won't. If she doesn't it doesn't matter, it's just to let the crate become part of her surroundings and reassure her it's not a dog-eating monster!

2) Start throwing high value treats into the crate so the dog has to go in but can come straight out of its own accord.

3) Feed the dog all its meals in the crate, with the door open.

4) Progress to closing the door for short periods while the dog is busy eating.

5) Start closing the door for the duration of the meal, but be sure to open it before the dog starts whining or making a fuss.

6) Confine the dog to the crate with a stuffed kong toy or other treat, close the door for 5/10 minutes and release the dog. Increase the time the dog spends in the crate but always remain in sight.

7) Move on to leaving the dog crated, again for short periods, but this time leave the room. If the dog whines or cries, don't go back to the crate or into sight until it is quiet, or you reinforce the "calling back" behaviour.

8) Work up to extending the periods you can leave the dog crated while you're out of sight.

This isn't an amazingly quick method, but it is steady and thorough, and places no stress on the dog which is especially important when there are already anxiety problems.

Was your greyhound raced, do you know? If so, she might at first associate the crate with a racing trap and become a little agitated.

Good luck hope this helps a little.

bagpuss_fan

Hi,

err. . . . what Misty said !!!!

My working cocker has been in a crate since he was a puppy and now firmly regards it as his bed.

The only thing I would ad is that I was told to put an old curtain over the top of the crate (it's a security/den issue I think), and make sure she's not hassled (by kids etc), it must be a "safe" place at all times.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll sort her out. x

RooBee

It sounds to me like she is suffering from separation anxiety. Crating her will stop her from destroying things but it will not stop her from feeling anxious and she may display other behaviours instead of physical destructiveness.

I'd recommend you consult a behaviorist (you can usually get a referral via your vet) who will be able to help you work out a suitable regime to rebuild her confidence at being left alone. You can combine this with crate training her but, IMO, just to crate her without trying to sort out her anxiety will cure your problem but will not do anything to alleviate her feelings of anxiety.