Treats for the crate

[Courtney Calhoun]

Ollie is spending more time in the crate during the day. I slept on the floor next to the crate last night. He did really well. I'm hoping to get him more independent in the crate this summer as I teach and need to go back to work in August. What type of treats are enticing to get him in the crate by himself? I'm wanting something that is yummy for him and won't make his tummy upset or poop in the crate. Thanks!

[Sue]

We use a KONG with a bit of cheez whiz or peanut butter and we freeze it slightly so that she works at it while she is in her crate. It works wonders....We don't put a lot but enough to make her "run" to her crate and then occupies her when we leave for work. A year later....we put in a tiny piece of liver and she is happy with that now...

Great to hear that he did better last night...Every night will get better....just take things slowly....he is learning to trust you!!! hang in there!! You can do it!!!

[Courtney Calhoun]

How long did it take your doodle to get used to the crate? Ollie hates getting in it. If I lay next to him he's fine. But I walk away or even go to the bathroom, he's a wreck. I'll try the KONG, did you use regular peanut butter or something at the pet store?

[Sue]

regular peanut butter....don't freeze it the first time as he won't get the taste...just smother a little bit of the inside of the kong and then send him in the crate to work at it....it took LExee about 3-4 weeks to get use to the crate but we never used it to punish her//// it was always used as a safe place for her with treats....Even today she will go in it at night but she is getting big for it...

[Missy]

You will learn to 'rate' your treats.  treats you give every day vs. treats that dog only sees every now and then. 

For us: pieces of Milk Bone treats were high reward. pieces of Chicken strips (high moon brand) were every day potty treats.

The Kong was only seen by dog at crate time. I break Milk Bone treat in half and shove it in Kong.  If puppy is small, there is a puppy Kong (it is blue and softer for them to crunch)  

I started crate training from day 1. I would time crate time at nap times. Then it was too the crate, put the Kong in there, let the puppy walk in on his own, pet him, tell him I will be back, lock the crate and walk out...no eye contact. and then I would set myself a timer and go back and get him. (small time increments at first 1 hour, then progressed to 3 hours, then 6 hours by 6 months)

we did not put water or other food in the crate.  pup had his Kong and one other chew toy and his blanket. I established a routine of play, outside to potty, then offer a drink, then it was time for crate every day. And I calmly put him in, and made a big deal when I came to get him. he had to sit before I would open crate door. and not barking. This takes patience in the beginning but well worth the time. 

the key is to not go get him or respond to his initial barks. We had to wait 30 minutes one time until he settled down. I have been trained by a parrot, and if you respond to 'negative' behavior even once, it is dog training you! lol 

you got this...you know what you want pup to do, now to teach him to do it! you might have to have someone potty pup if your days are long as he may not be old enough to hold bladder in Aug. give it a test run to see.