View Full Version : crate training
annekewarren
03-14-2006, 11:52 AM
I know that you do not want to force your puppy to be in the crate and you want him or her to be able to love their crate and want to go into it. When I first bought the crate last week my puppy loved it until he couldn't hold his bladder any longer one night and pooped in it. I washed his blanket and cleaned the crate out. At night time I really want him to be in his crate because he is 9 weeks old and I don't want him pooping all over the place. Last night I woke up every 3 hours to take him out to use the bathroom so he had no accidents, but when it was time to get back into the crate he didn't want to. All of his toys are there and the crate is nice and comfy. I had to slowly coax him to go in there, and was able to gently shut the door each time, but he whined a little bit and was unhappy to be in there. I don't know what to do. I want him to LOVE his crate and I have been careful to not be forceful..... what can I do??? :confused:
Sounds like your doing the right things. Just keep doing that.
Do you feed him in there? You might try that as well.
About the toys, some believe that they can be a choking hazard, particularly for such a young pup. So you might weigh the risks and benefits of leaving those in there with him all the time when you are asleep, or not there to directly supervise.
annekewarren
03-14-2006, 01:58 PM
so, should I try and feed him dinner in his crate? About the toys.... I will only keep the toys in there that I know 100% are not a choking hazard. Thanks for your advice!
aelizilly
03-16-2006, 12:24 PM
it does sound like you're on the right track. This just takes time, and I would say to stick with it. You mention he cries a bit when you put him in there, be glad he doesn't whale for hours like some others have posted as issued.
Good luck and stick with it.
and....I agree too that it might be a good idea to feed him in there, and also maybe you can bury some treats while he is not looking and then lure him in there with a treat. I love to use carrots, and I bite them into sizes for Bailey and I lure him in there with them most every time. He never really goes in there on his own yet, and he is 6 months. (but remember not all dogs are the same, some will pick it up fast and others take longer.)
Violet21
03-17-2006, 05:56 AM
this is what we are doing.. i also have a 3.5 month old pup we just got 2 days ago. I used the same method i did with my other dog, a golden named Zac. I put a comfy pillow in the crate, (a dog pillow) and his toys, and get in it with him and pet him and give him some treats. The first night we really had tp coax him in and when he wouldn't for about a half hour we gently lifted him in and i cuddled him. He is a big puppy, already 41 lbs, and he will be a huge dog so his crate is huge.
The second night, he walked into the crate right away by himself to come cuddle me. more treats (not too much) and toys and pets.
Tonight he was going in and out, playing and being a goof. I barely sat in it and he was in, snuggling down. I sat on the outside and pet him, putting my arms and hands in.
All three nights he has been fine not making a peep all night till morning and not peeing or pooping in the crate. We have it beside the bed so we can dangle a finger but so far he just is happy knowing we are in the room and we have not had to dangle our fingers.
He crys and howls if we leave the room tho. This is a leftover instinct that wolfs have today, when a pup is left alone is screams so its pack can find him. Otherwise, he could certainly be killed or die..
Don't feel too badly about it. Its nice if you can have your puppy in the room with you for a while at least tho.. till that instinct starts to fade off.
annekewarren
03-17-2006, 05:13 PM
Thanks so much for all your advice. I am going to try the treat thing tonight. My puppy is doing better but he still whines a little bit. I will inform you about how it is going.
Dobiegurl
03-18-2006, 11:42 PM
this is what we are doing.. i also have a 3.5 month old pup we just got 2 days ago. I used the same method i did with my other dog, a golden named Zac. I put a comfy pillow in the crate, (a dog pillow) and his toys, and get in it with him and pet him and give him some treats. The first night we really had tp coax him in and when he wouldn't for about a half hour we gently lifted him in and i cuddled him. He is a big puppy, already 41 lbs, and he will be a huge dog so his crate is huge.
The second night, he walked into the crate right away by himself to come cuddle me. more treats (not too much) and toys and pets.
Tonight he was going in and out, playing and being a goof. I barely sat in it and he was in, snuggling down. I sat on the outside and pet him, putting my arms and hands in.
All three nights he has been fine not making a peep all night till morning and not peeing or pooping in the crate. We have it beside the bed so we can dangle a finger but so far he just is happy knowing we are in the room and we have not had to dangle our fingers.
He crys and howls if we leave the room tho. This is a leftover instinct that wolfs have today, when a pup is left alone is screams so its pack can find him. Otherwise, he could certainly be killed or die..
Don't feel too badly about it. Its nice if you can have your puppy in the room with you for a while at least tho.. till that instinct starts to fade off.
You actually sat in the crate? That is to funny, I can picture it.