Crate training

[miura74]

Now I've never tried crate training before and now with Kiera it seems a good opportunity to try.

I have read some differing opinions regarding unwanted noises...

Some advice say you should never react to noises and whines or you will simply let the pup know it gets attention that way.

Some others say if the pup makes lots of noise, tap the crate, say a command like "quiet" and when the pup is quiet, give it a treat.

Personally, it seems logical that the first method will be the best, as the second will surely only let the pup know to cry for a treat?

[zetstaff]

Originally Posted by miura74

Now I've never tried crate training before and now with Kiera it seems a good opportunity to try.

I have read some differing opinions regarding unwanted noises...

Some advice say you should never react to noises and whines or you will simply let the pup know it gets attention that way.

Some others say if the pup makes lots of noise, tap the crate, say a command like "quiet" and when the pup is quiet, give it a treat.

Personally, it seems logical that the first method will be the best, as the second will surely only let the pup know to cry for a treat?

I've been soooo lucky with our two, I don't crate them in the day I leave them together. But, they know they have to go in there sometimes.

When I need them to go in they just go

I never made a fuss, just told them to go in, + they did. When they go in they have a treat + I just ignore them. If they whinge I ignore them.

Boris was the worst when he was little, screamed the place down + I ignored him. I ignore my doggies a lot

But now, there are certain times they know they have to go in a cage + they just go in without me saying anything or asking.

Just IGNORE

Originally Posted by miura74

Now I've never tried crate training before and now with Kiera it seems a good opportunity to try.

I have read some differing opinions regarding unwanted noises...

Some advice say you should never react to noises and whines or you will simply let the pup know it gets attention that way.

Some others say if the pup makes lots of noise, tap the crate, say a command like "quiet" and when the pup is quiet, give it a treat.

Personally, it seems logical that the first method will be the best, as the second will surely only let the pup know to cry for a treat?

Yes I used the first option. Some things I did...

• Crying, whining means the dog doesn't come out of the crate.
• I used to throw a treat at the back of the crate when I opened it too, to stop my dog bolting out.
• No immediate fuss when it comes out, makes them more hyper. Wait til it's quiet, then fuss.
• Also I removed the Kong I left for it when I return and let dog out, so it learns nice things occur when it's left.
• Secretly hide treats under blanket, don't let dog see you do it so it finds these little treasures and associates crate with +ve things
• Use a cue word so dog goes in on command - i used 'kennel' because we also had outdoor kennel so one word for both
• Never, ever use crate for punishment.

[Caryll]

Originally Posted by Anni

Yes I used the first option. Some things I did...

• Crying, whining means the dog doesn't come out of the crate.
• I used to throw a treat at the back of the crate when I opened it too, to stop my dog bolting out.
• No immediate fuss when it comes out, makes them more hyper. Wait til it's quiet, then fuss.
• Also I removed the Kong I left for it when I return and let dog out, so it learns nice things occur when it's left.
• Secretly hide treats under blanket, don't let dog see you do it so it finds these little treasures and associates crate with +ve things
• Use a cue word so dog goes in on command - i used 'kennel' because we also had outdoor kennel so one word for both
• Never, ever use crate for punishment.

First class advice!

[DTJazz]

I would completely agree with the above post.

We never crated our previous 2 dogs but have with Jazz. When she was younger 8 - 12 weeks we ignored all noises except mid way thru the night and came down and let her out and then straight back in to crate with no fuss or attention.

Now we call it 'bed' and she is very good when we say jazz bed. We ignored noise when she was crated during meal times or early evening as it quickly stopped.

Just taken delivery of our 48'' one today - no sadly not a flatscreen - and she loves it!

Originally Posted by DTJazz

I would completely agree with the above post.

We never crated our previous 2 dogs but have with Jazz. When she was younger 8 - 12 weeks we ignored all noises except mid way thru the night and came down and let her out and then straight back in to crate with no fuss or attention.

Now we call it 'bed' and she is very good when we say jazz bed. We ignored noise when she was crated during meal times or early evening as it quickly stopped.

Just taken delivery of our 48'' one today - no sadly not a flatscreen - and she loves it!

It's amazing how much space they take up though...one's ok but no room for two 48", so now they have dog duvets. I miss it though as I used the crate top as an extra work bench in the kitchen lol! Now ours are left in their outdoor kennel+run if we're out; they love it, its like K9 Hilton in there!

[DTJazz]

Space? its not a crate its a pop up annex

[miura74]

I'm actually a little confused over advice I've read on different sites around the web.

Is it true that you are not supposed to shut the door until they are 11 weeks old?

Although we are trying to make her crate a fun, happy place and she is beginning to go in her self.

[Caryll]

Both my last dog & my current dog were crated from 8 weeks old, and the door was most definitely shut overnight & when we went out! Otherwise we'd have been looking at £££'s worth of damage - both were serious chewers!!

[miura74]

Originally Posted by Caryll

Both my last dog & my current dog were crated from 8 weeks old, and the door was most definitely shut overnight & when we went out! Otherwise we'd have been looking at £££'s worth of damage - both were serious chewers!!

Thanks! We're trying to get this one right you see, never tried it before.