Crate training puppies
- Thread starter Deertick
- Start date
Positive reinforcement is something that has worked for me. Using one word to associate the crate, kennel, place....to the dog and once the dog is in the crate is when I use treats and affection. Doing this during the day with small waiting times in the crate will help the process I feel. At night, I would drape a large blanket over the kennel. Not sure if this actually helped or not, but, I liked to think it did.
Dogs are actually cave/den animals. Always keep a cover over the crate at all times. Make the crate accessible to them at all times. Leave the door open when they do not need to be in there. If they get scared of thunderstorms, they may want to go in there when frightened.
Several sweaty socks are a great idea already mentioned. Know their favorite chew toy and place it in there. Throw a treat in the back of cage when you load them in.
Buy and use Ultra Calm treats that have chamomile in them. Yes, drug them with chamomile. I used them mostly during thunderstorms and fireworks. Do not over use them, otherwise, they will develop a resistance.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+11260+27511+8098&pcatid=8098
My service dog was required to be in her crate if I had to leave her at home, otherwise, she would get frustrated working the sounds when I was not there.
True story: We would fly a few times a year. One time, the airline gave us First Class. Big mistake. She liked to hide under the seat in front of us. She was a 50 lb thin dog and she actually fit with just a potion of her butt sticking out. In First Class, there is no \"cave\" under the seat in front of you. I had one nervous anxious dog for the entire flight. After that, I had to decline first class every time it was offered.
She was great traveling until a person\'s briefcase slid into her face during a steep take off. After that, she was nervous on takeoffs and I had to reassure her. Most passengers never even knew she was there until we got off the plane. A 50 lbs dog magically appearing after landing surprised a lot of passengers.
We want pictures of the new puppies.
Good luck!
Several sweaty socks are a great idea already mentioned. Know their favorite chew toy and place it in there. Throw a treat in the back of cage when you load them in.
Buy and use Ultra Calm treats that have chamomile in them. Yes, drug them with chamomile. I used them mostly during thunderstorms and fireworks. Do not over use them, otherwise, they will develop a resistance.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+11260+27511+8098&pcatid=8098
My service dog was required to be in her crate if I had to leave her at home, otherwise, she would get frustrated working the sounds when I was not there.
True story: We would fly a few times a year. One time, the airline gave us First Class. Big mistake. She liked to hide under the seat in front of us. She was a 50 lb thin dog and she actually fit with just a potion of her butt sticking out. In First Class, there is no \"cave\" under the seat in front of you. I had one nervous anxious dog for the entire flight. After that, I had to decline first class every time it was offered.
She was great traveling until a person\'s briefcase slid into her face during a steep take off. After that, she was nervous on takeoffs and I had to reassure her. Most passengers never even knew she was there until we got off the plane. A 50 lbs dog magically appearing after landing surprised a lot of passengers.
We want pictures of the new puppies.
Good luck!
Olympushunt
New member
- Jun 30, 2014
- 234
\"F M\" said:
I tried crate training my kids too Francis but my wife made me stop when they started barking. :dk:
Olympushunt
New member
- Jun 30, 2014
- 234
Ya....wife\'s sense of humor must differ from ours quite a bit. 
Hope your crate training is going good John. I noticed the first few nights were the roughest too. They catch on pretty quick where their turf is though.
Hope your crate training is going good John. I noticed the first few nights were the roughest too. They catch on pretty quick where their turf is though.
elky McElkerson
New member
- Mar 13, 2014
- 2,038
cover the crate with a dark towel.
be prapared to move the thing around. bring it next to you when you are watching tv. toss a snack in there occasionally. make it comfy..put in a big fluffy puppy smelling blanket. USUALLY this is enough. one day, you\'ll go and look for your dog and find him/her sleeping in the kennel.
i gave my old adopted dog 100% of his snacks in his kennel. now i just show him a milkbone he goes sprinting for the cage. that dog didnt know any tricks, and was not house broken when we got him. it was awful. if he could learn it, any dog can.
NEVER use it to punish the dog. no times outs, etc.
if it gets really difficult. move up to feeding the dog in it. get to where you can close the door.
here is the rub. wife and i call it \"ZERO FANFARE\" we make no big deal of anything about the kennel. no big praises when he goes in..just non chalantly walk up close the door. no \"goooooodbyyyyyyyyeeee..i looooooovvvvveeeeee youoooooooooo\" no reaching in to pet him..we made it really mundane. the kennel was just furniture. this is even more important when we get home. come in, do your thing. DONOT make setting him free the first thing you do. unload the groceries, pee..put away shoes..whatever. then without any indication, unlock the door, open it..and start doing something else. ZERO FANFARE. you dont want the dog vibrating with anticipation when you get home. that is good for nobody.
be prapared to move the thing around. bring it next to you when you are watching tv. toss a snack in there occasionally. make it comfy..put in a big fluffy puppy smelling blanket. USUALLY this is enough. one day, you\'ll go and look for your dog and find him/her sleeping in the kennel.
i gave my old adopted dog 100% of his snacks in his kennel. now i just show him a milkbone he goes sprinting for the cage. that dog didnt know any tricks, and was not house broken when we got him. it was awful. if he could learn it, any dog can.
NEVER use it to punish the dog. no times outs, etc.
if it gets really difficult. move up to feeding the dog in it. get to where you can close the door.
here is the rub. wife and i call it \"ZERO FANFARE\" we make no big deal of anything about the kennel. no big praises when he goes in..just non chalantly walk up close the door. no \"goooooodbyyyyyyyyeeee..i looooooovvvvveeeeee youoooooooooo\" no reaching in to pet him..we made it really mundane. the kennel was just furniture. this is even more important when we get home. come in, do your thing. DONOT make setting him free the first thing you do. unload the groceries, pee..put away shoes..whatever. then without any indication, unlock the door, open it..and start doing something else. ZERO FANFARE. you dont want the dog vibrating with anticipation when you get home. that is good for nobody.
elkmtngear
New member
- Aug 9, 2017
- 1,152
Cliff, I sure wish you were around when I tried this last time...and FAILED!
