Crate Training a Dog

Updated on February 06, 2008
S.H. asks from Madison, AL
8 answers

We adopted a puppy a couple months ago; he is now about 7 months old. When we first got him, he seemed to already be somewhat potty trained. But, once he went on the carpet, he kept trying to return to the same spot. Since then we've been keeping him in our kitchen with puppy pads. Sometimes he will use the pads, and other times he will just lay on or play with the puppy pad and go on the floor! He's also peed on his bed a few times.

So, Monday night I bought a used dog crate to try to train him that way. I have grown up with dogs, but we never used a crate. (My parents live out in the country & we just let the dogs outside). Our current house does not have a fenced in yard, but we are moving in a month to one that does. However, the new house will also have brand new carpet! I am hoping that we can at least use the crate for him to sleep in at night so we don't have to worry about him while we are asleep. I don't think he would do well if left alone outside all night.

My question is about how to get him used to the crate. It's been 3 nights and 2 full days since we got the crate. I put his food bowl just inside the crate, and he finally ate from it the 2nd night. Last night I put the bowl further into the crate and he won't eat it. How long does this process usually take? I know it will probably take some time, I just thought he might have explored and gotten familiar with it more by now. The crate has been left open in the kitchen with him since Monday night. We have never forced him into in, only placed food and treats inside.

Any suggestions? Do I just keep doing what I'm doing?

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So What Happened?

Thank for all of the replies! He seems to be getting a little better with the crate. We haven't shut him up in it yet, but this morning he poked his head inside & ate a treat right after I put it in! No hesitation :)

We are trying to take him outside more often and on a better schedule. The other day he was able to "hold it" for 8 hours while I was at work. (He is not usually left for 8 hours a day, but my fiance had to go into work early that day.) He hadn't even gone on the puppy pad! I am also trying to let him sit in the living room with me in the evenings after I take him outside. He will mostly sit near me and I keep a close eye on him so we don't have any accidents. I still need to try putting a blanket over the crate & I may move it to a corner of the kitchen to hide the sides more.

Now I just need to get the fiance to take the dog outside more often when he's home...haha!

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C.T.

answers from Biloxi on

It's been a while since my dogs were pups but everytime I need doggie advice, II go to this forum: http://www.thepetmenagerie.com/forum The people are great and I'm a mod there.

I hope youu find the answer!!

More Answers

K.C.

answers from Nashville on

Ok, I'm gonna go through with you how I have trained all my dogs using the crate. It's simple and if done consistently, the puppy will get it eventually. Remember though, consistency is the key and there will be accidents, so just try to not give mixed signals.

The crate should be a safe spot for the dog. Try putting a blanket around it, or placing it under a table so that he feels like it his den. He should not eat in the crate if possible-this is debatable, but I always kept food and water just outside the door. put a blanket or towel inside, with a toy like a teddy bear inside for him. At night he should sleep in the crate, and should go into it while you are out of the house until your yard is fenced in. I don't reccomend the puppy pads, because you are giving him mixed signals about going in the house.

Start each day with this routine, wake up and first thing take the dog outside and let him sniff and do his business. When he does, praise him and pet him. If he doesn't go, put him back in the crate when you come in. 20 to 30 minutes later, do the same thing. Take him out whenever he has anything to eat or drink and keep the pattern going of putting him back in the crate until he goes to the bathroom outside. If he goes on the carpet, tell him firmly "no" and take him outside, then put him in his crate until the next trip outside. Never admonish him while he is in his crate, do it and then once he is in, leave him be. Remember it is supposed to be his safe place. The crate can be used for other discipline as well, such as if he chews something up, or sneaks some food from a plate.

The house training is time consuming at first, but like I said, the key is consistency, so keep it up and he WILL get it. Training a dog takes alot of time and commitment, so if you aren't in a position to be able to dedicate alot of energy to this, maybe you should reconsider the dog. Just a thought from a fellow animal lover :)

Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to message me.

-K.

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J.H.

answers from Memphis on

S.,
The crate will be your best friend. When I was growing up we never used on either. But 2 years ago I got a new puppy and we used the crate. At first she did not like it and would cry for a while after we put her in it then she would stop. We would put a cover over it to make it like a den for her and she felt more secure in it. We do not put food or water in the crate with them thought. I have two crates for the two dogs we have. Once they got use to them and into a routine it is wonderful. You do need to make sure the crate is the right size for you dog also. If it is too big they will use the bathroom in them. Also you have to remember that the puppies don’t have full control over their blatters. But as they get older they will be able to control them. I did not use puppy pad for any of my dogs. I felt like that would teach them to use paper and other stuff that might be on the floor.
In the mornings when I am getting ready for work both of my dogs will go and get in their crates, I leave the door open when we are home. I always make sure that I give them some loving and tell them by before I leave and lock them up in the crates. Good luck and enjoy your new puppy and new home.
J.

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J.D.

answers from Huntsville on

S.-

I agree with most everything Kristen said, except we try not to use the crate for anything negative. Reprimands are a firm no and that's it. Most dogs, like kids, seek positive attention.

Also, keep in mind that dogs should be fed and allowed AMPLE time to go potty outside after they eat. I heard somewhere that you shouldn't put a dog in their crate for about 30 minutes after they eat, unless they have done #1 and #2. It's just the way they function.

Also, check at your local pet store for liquids that counteract the urine smell. You have to really saturate the carpet, all the way down to the pad. Remember that their urine is how they mark in the wild, so we're trying to interrupt that instinct.

The blanket idea is a good one for in the crate. I wouldn't put the whole dish of food in there, but I read that putting a piece or two of kibble in there once in a while is ok for positive reinforcement. This has worked wonders for our new puppy (14 weeks old).

Good luck!
J.

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R.C.

answers from Nashville on

We've always used crates for our dogs. They are especially handy when you have a child in the house and need to get the dog out of the way for a while. I agree with the previous poster that the crate should be their safe place. Our dogs took several days to get comfortable in their crates and we had to listen to some crying. We use them for feeding the dogs. One important thing, if the crates are too big, they will use them to eliminate. If the crate is the correct size, the dog will do his best not to mess in his bed. I would never suggest hitting a dog in the face. The dog might bite or you might hit him in eye. NOT GOOD!

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J.B.

answers from Knoxville on

Hi S.,
Keep in mind that puppy's are like children. Sometimes there are things we have to whether we want to or not. Also keep in mind that a puppy can generally hold it's bladder 1 hour for each month it is old. I would not recommend putting food or water in the crate, the whole idea is that the crate is his home while you are gone and you do not potty in your home. If the crate is too big for the puppy you may find he will go in there anyway, but I would not offer food or water while you're away, as he may not be able to hold his bladder that long. Do not use the crate for bad behavior association.

I had both a female and male terrier, the male did wonderful with crate training, learned quickly, was happy in there and glad to see me come home.....the female would shake and do bad, she would urinate and have feces in there and each evening I had to give her a bath.

Good Luck.

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T.

answers from Memphis on

S.,
Please do not give up, it will take some time. All dogs are different and I think you would be able to get the most helpful advice from your vet or even a Humane Society in your area. It is so hard to see people give up and just put their dogs outside to live when they are part of the family. There will be trials like the potty issues all along the way but that is part of the commitment to having a dog. There may be some internet websites out there that would also be helpful. You may want to look at Drs Foster & Smith; they sell alot of pet supplies but I am pretty sure you can also ask them questions.

T.

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V.M.

answers from Nashville on

www.planeturine.com They have great products for urine removal.

Put the crate next to you at night. Do close the door. He may actually feel secure. If he has the choice of going to you of course he will. This will train him to control his bladder also.

Good luck

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