Crate Training

[Kristin]

Does anyone have advice on crate training? When we leave our house and crate our puppy, I don't want him to think its a punishment...but, we left him for the first time tonight for about 1 hour and he was crying when we got home and continued to cry even while we were holding him for at least 10 more minutes!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Kelly Gallagher]

The puppy won't think it's punishment if you treat it like a good thing...give him special treats to go in...keep certain special toys in there for him. Our Maddy has a stuffed monkey that she has had in there since her first night plus her blanket. We cover the crate at night. You can try sitting by the crate and putting your hand in there to comfort him...also try introducing it slowly during the day for a few minutes at a time until her gets used to it. The theory is that dogs will usually treat there crate as a place of comfort and somewhere to escape to...give him a little time and take it slowly. Good luck!

[Erin and Dexter]

I agree with kelly, make it fun. My pup is now 7 months old but when I say "go to your crate" he RUNS there because he know he is going to get something good. It takes some time. When he was really young, whenever he fell asleep on the floor or anything, we would gently lift him up and put him in it, so he got used to sleeping in there. he was usually so groggy that he never really complained much.

[Maggie and Reese]

Our puppy used to cry when we would put her in her crate too. Now we make sure that her crate is always in the same exact spot in the kitchen and we always leave thr door open when we're home so that she can still go in there and explore. When we're home, we'll practice going in there and when she goes in on her own, we give her a treat but we dont shut the door so that she can come back out. And yes with a couple toys and some blankets to get in comfy you puppy will eventually learn to like it. When we first got her and she would cry everytime we put her in there, I actually put a shirt of mine in there. it seemsed to comfort her because she could smell me- so you could maybe try doing that too. Reese now goes in there when she knows we are getting ready to leave and doesn't cry anymore.

[Adina P]

Despite the glowing advice that pups love their little space, not all dogs take to the crate right away. A lot of pups will cry and bark. Essentially they are lonely or hate being confined away from their people or left alone. But, they do have to be left alone at times and they do need to be confined for their safety and the safety of your house.

The best way to get a pup used to the crate is before you need to use it, but you can still do this on a weekend or a day you can be home most of the day. Feed the pup in his crate with the door open, toss an amazingly smelly treat into the crate with the door open (make sure the pup knows you're doing this so he follows it in). Don't close the door...let him get the treat and come out. Then do it again a few times and take a break. Repeat throughout the day. As he gets more and more confident going in...close the door behind him for a few moments and toss in little (make ALL training treats the size of a green pea...no bigger) treats so he learns that good things happen even if the door is closed. Then open the door while he is occupied getting the treats. Repeat a few times a day.

Gradually work on him sitting on command while in the crate. Just make it fun and casual and put his food bowl and water bowl in there so he has to go in to eat/drink and soon he'll develop a different feeling about the crate being a less horrible place.

He won't ever think "why am I being punished?" If he continues to cry and bark it will be only out of loneliness and wanting to be near...but it is important for a dog to tolerate the crate. It is essential when traveling or having to leave him alone ... it makes life easier for everyone.

Does he sleep in it at night? Do you put him in it during the day for short breaks and napping?

[Nancy Sunderland]

so glad to read your reply, I will try those tips if needed in a few weeks!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri still doesn't love her crate unless the sound machine is on (over the kennel, covered by blanket). We alternate between white noise, ocean waves, and spring birds. It soothes her. Worth a try for about $20 at Walmart or Target.

[Azure & Muppet]

Although there are reasons why many dogs enjoy their crates, there are also many reasons for them not to like it: their freedom is removed, their mobility is limited, their access to food, water, toys is limited, as well as being alone, isolated, and removed from the other members of their pack, not to mention it's boring. So do your best to make it a positive experience. Feed him and give him treats when he is in the crate. Use it at night for sleeping, and during the day for naps. Don't do it only when you are leaving or it probably will be punishing because he'll associate it with that. Start by putting him in for short periods of time and do it while you are around the house to supervise the situation. Stay close by at first so he knows you are not leaving, then you can gradually go further away out of his sight for longer and longer times without upsetting him. Try not to make a big deal about putting him in or taking him out (don't make a big fuss - keep it brief and calm). If he is very stressed or excited, try to wait until he is calm to give him attention. If possible, try to make sure he is quiet before you let him out so he doesn't think whining got him out. It is an important thing that is in everyone's best interest. They don't have to love it but they do need to tolerate it well.

[Kristin]

How interesting. Our pup, Jersey, is the exact opposite as your Wrigley. Jersey love going in his crate when we leave in the day time, with the help of peanut butter in his kong and the radio. At night, he is a different story. Last night while we were going to bed, Jersey whined for 30 minutes or so until he gave up. We are going to try what the previous post suggested by not letting him out of his crate until he is quiet, along with previous suggestions.