Crate Training.

#1 01-01-09, 10:33 AM

We are Crate training our new shepherd.

Monday night ( her first night with us) went really well, Tuesday and this morning, I have found mess in her crate, she has poo'ed and Wee'd in there!

Tuesday was possibly my fault, as I let her out for 10 minutes, but didn't watch to see if she had done anything.
Early hours of this morning, I let her out, and went out with her, she did both whilst outside, she went to bed after this (1am) I was up at 8.15am this morning, and find mess in her crate.

Can anyone offer any advice on this? Thanks.

LOVEGSD · #2 02-01-09, 11:38 AM

Sorry I didn't crate train Diesel so I couldn't comment.....I'm sure someone will be able to give you an answer.

ilsongirl · #3 02-01-09, 12:27 PM

Hi,

I didn't crate train either - sure somebody will be able to help.

I think there are a few good articles on-line though.

Also if the pups still little she might not be able to make 8 hours without going!

Hope that helps

Sarah

#4 02-01-09, 02:03 PM

hi good luck with it.

we tried to crate train rowdy but he would just cry at the top of his lungs all night and not eat! so we had to stop as he would eat at all, and the neighbours were starting to complain!

sorry i couldnt help.

kita · #5 02-01-09, 02:19 PM

This is a useful article on crate training:

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/crate-train.pdf

Is the crate somewhere that you can hear her if she whines to go out during the night?

I would also try and take her out a bit more often - 7 hours is a long time for a pup in a new home to last out. They also need to be taken out pretty quickly after they wake up. If something woke her at 7am (say the postman etc) then she would have gone to the toilet shortly afterwards. It is all about hearing them move around and getting them out as fast as possible!!

It takes a bit of time and patience - not easy I know when it is dark and freezing outside!!

Sue

davewhite152 · #6 02-01-09, 02:21 PM

Hi,

I am crate training my GSD that I bought home on the 31st. She is 12 weeks, I am not sure how old yours is, and seemed to have the basics already as she was living in a crate and fenced off area in the breeders kitchen with her sister. We had a few accidents the first day before we got the crate. I put her in it gradually last night, with praise/treats, leaving the door closed for longer periods of time. When it was bed time, she went outside and got a treat (11pm ish) then put her in for the night. She whined a bit, so I slept on the sofa near her to reassure her. I took her out just before 4, but as I did not have a torch I could not see if she had done anything! I then took her out again at 6:30, then again at about 9 where she did a wee twice (lots of praise, treat etc) I have taken her out several times today since but still no more wee or any sign of a 'number 2'. Still, she has been a bit off her food as well, so hopefully her routine will settle in a few days. I feel like i've got to watch her like a hawk!

Wooferhound · #7 02-01-09, 04:18 PM

As a rule pups don't soil where they sleep, but there are some exceptions, my Roo being one of them!

It is important to ensure that the area they are sleeping in isn't too big that it can be separated into sleep and toilet areas. If this is the case you could try boxing off one side and increase the size as pup grows so she isn't restricted. Also, as already mentioned, it is very important to take them out as often as humanly possible, the more effort that is put in now the quicker she will learn. Praise is also very important all at the right times!

Jo
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