[Help] "Crate Training" a puppy

[KeegansHairPiece]

Depends on the breed, some are better than others. But crate training is essentially putting the puppy in a crate for a period of time (over night, during the day to rest) and leaving it. Some dogs are happy to do so. Others can be anxious, bark, whine etc. As others say the secret is to not go and see it, although keep in mind their bladders / bowels generally only have 3-4 hour capacity. After a couple of weeks they should be OK. Luckily our puppy likes his crate and has never made a noise except when he wants to go to the toilet or if he thinks we've had a lay in a bit to long ;-)

I think the secret of not going to see them is a school of thought slowly going out of favour as we understand more about dogs and behaviour. Each to their own, and it will work for some dogs, but it can be a really risky strategy in some dogs that could become anxious, suffer separation anxiety later and untrusting as a result.

https://www.happyofficedogs.com/post/let-sleeping-dogs-lie-but-never-let-puppy-dogs-cry
http://www.simplybehaviour.com/letting-dog-cry-cause-permanent-damage/
https://ourfamilydog.org.uk/puppy-crying-at-night

 

[zefarelly]

Yeah less than £2k for a puppy is currently a bargain. Even kittens are going for £500+.

that is ****ing bonkers.

Dog lovers hate howling barking yapping dogs as well . . . there are 2 ****ing annoying ****-dogs up our road . . . like their owners.

 

[zefarelly]

Our dog crate trained in one night essentially. Bung in toys, comfy stuff for it to lie on, a few dog treats, 2 cans of Stella and 10 B&H and you won't hear a peep out of them especially if its a Beagle.

2 joints and a packet of hobnobs did it for us.

works for me too

 

[zefarelly]

I think the secret of not going to see them is a school of thought slowly going out of favour as we understand more about dogs and behaviour. Each to their own, and it will work for some dogs, but it can be a really risky strategy in some dogs that could become anxious, suffer separation anxiety later and untrusting as a result.

THis, Rocco would not sleep the first week we had him, definitely suffered from separation anxiety., still does a little but he knows which side his breads buttered now. theyre pack animals and need to be secure within your pack, and don't let them become head of it!

 

[Springal]

I think the secret of not going to see them is a school of thought slowly going out of favour as we understand more about dogs and behaviour. Each to their own, and it will work for some dogs, but it can be a really risky strategy in some dogs that could become anxious, suffer separation anxiety later and untrusting as a result.

https://www.happyofficedogs.com/post/let-sleeping-dogs-lie-but-never-let-puppy-dogs-cry
http://www.simplybehaviour.com/letting-dog-cry-cause-permanent-damage/
https://ourfamilydog.org.uk/puppy-crying-at-night

Like I say depends on the dog and breed etc. We slept in the room where the crate was for the first 3 nights, but only got up to take him out to the toilet and put him back. We had no issues and no issues since, but accept some dogs are naturally more anxious or just won't settle in a crate

 

[ropey9]

Crate trained all our dogs (4 so far over 25 years), gives a safe space where you know the dog isn't going to eat your shoes, sofa, etc. Therefore no stressful situations when you wake up, come home and have to deal with. The key is not to use it to punish the dog, otherwise they associate it accordingly. Its a controlled place when you are not there (sleeping / out).

Only used it when they were pups, For all of them whenever the cage went up even years later they would go into it and sleep.

 

[KeegansHairPiece]

I think the secret of not going to see them is a school of thought slowly going out of favour as we understand more about dogs and behaviour. Each to their own, and it will work for some dogs, but it can be a really risky strategy in some dogs that could become anxious, suffer separation anxiety later and untrusting as a result.

THis, Rocco would not sleep the first week we had him, definitely suffered from separation anxiety., still does a little but he knows which side his breads buttered now. theyre pack animals and need to be secure within your pack, and don't let them become head of it!

Really interesting topic on whether dogs are pack animals or not. Feral dogs in India and Spain when studied don't form in packs, but just stayed in small family groups. We also don't know whether a dog has any idea it's human family is a 'pack' - dogs don't naturally form packs with other dog species in the wild. I can lose an hour or two reading this stuff, but it maybe changing the way we think about our dogs...

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-and-training-dominance-alpha-and-pack-leadership-what-does-it-really-mean?fbclid=IwAR1Nzllv_fAWg_oi eMk2jf41qGvfJU8Q1-Qeg1BFi-mfrqsqBr4EgM6kYuI
https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/2013/10/27/false-hypothesis-pack-theory/
https://drsophiayin.com/philosophy/dominance/?%2Fdominance.php&fbclid=IwAR3S0beCTS3I_hV1NFCdN UDlGlAPW6fJDjVIjevNTxl3a93d_rj HpYwDrho

 

[KeegansHairPiece]

Like I say depends on the dog and breed etc. We slept in the room where the crate was for the first 3 nights, but only got up to take him out to the toilet and put him back. We had no issues and no issues since, but accept some dogs are naturally more anxious or just won't settle in a crate

Yeah, sorry I wasn't entirely disagreeing with you, for new puppy owners the difference between letting a few barks go unattended and some distressed crying can be a big difference. I've bought into this no aversives, positive only training which is really working and the message is don't ever let your pup cry it out. Barking for attention or being a bit of a pain clearly a difference to a puppy crying in distress.

 

[Springal]

Yeah, sorry I wasn't entirely disagreeing with you, for new puppy owners the difference between letting a few barks go unattended and some distressed crying can be a big difference. I've bought into this no aversives, positive only training which is really working and the message is don't ever let your pup cry it out. Barking for attention or being a bit of a pain clearly a difference to a puppy crying in distress.

Oh absolutely, I'd agree with that. Like someone said we viewed the crate as a rest / chill out / safe space for the puppy, rather than locking him up in a cage

 

[Icy Gull]

Our dog came from a home where the mother and the puppies all slept in a sort of dog tent. When we collected our puppy we put her in an IATA crate to take her home. She howled all the way home - 30 mins and peed on her blanket in the crate. It was not a pleasant experience for any of us.

We then left her in the kitchen on the first night, with the crate door open. First night she howled for 30 mins, second night 15 mins, third night 10 mins (we were watching her on a baby monitor and getting very upset, but didn’t want a dog that slept in the bedroom so decided to be tough from the off)

Since the third night she has happily gone to her crate every night and whenever we are in the kitchen cooking or milling about. The door is never closed and she goes in there by choice

Being a small dog makes it work

I have had quite a few dogs and have never used a crate before but a year on I am thinking it’s a good idea, especially if kids are around and she wants to get away from them as they are told to leave her alone if she goes into her crate.

We also use it for any long distance car journeys.

 

[*Gullsworth*]

It has already said on here that crate training is suitable for some puppies and not others. Our cockapoo puppy was 10 weeks when we got her. First night we made her bed as comfortable as possible in her crate...cage with the door open. Kitchen door is shut and she was as good as gold from day one. A few minutes of wining when she needed to go out but now she is 11 months can go from 10pm until 5am work days, 11 0clock ish until 7- 8 am.on days off. She has been brilliant. Still sleeps in her crate/cage/bed with the door open and kitchen door closed. She very often wants to go to bed early and has no problem going to sleep.


That's her good points, she is also so loving,loyal and great with the grandkids who she adores.

Her bad points......eating poo of every kind and anything else she can shuffle up.
Wouldn't trade her in for anything, I originally wanted something butch like a staffie but gave this dog to my wife as a pressie. (Yes and she was soooooo expensive but worth it)
Now the dog adores me and my wife comes a close second which goes down well.

 

[zefarelly]

I wasn't and am not a huge fan of the crate, but it does give the dog some secure quiet space.

The pack thing is interesting @KHP. Rocco is part of our little clan, and behaves like it, he will push/pull on the lead to get us alltogether if there's a stragller out walking often. . . he gets jealous if I give too much attention to other dogs sometimes he's definitely more a pf a people dog than a dogs dog. not a lot of wolf in a Twatterdale Terrier!

 

[portslade seagull]

Brought a crate when we got our sproodle as a pup, lasted 1 night and he ended up in the bedroom as good as gold. Had a few puddles but always during the day in the kitchen which is tiled. Never been an issue but is a mummy's dog and whines when wifey is at work

 

[wellquickwoody]

I think the secret of not going to see them is a school of thought slowly going out of favour as we understand more about dogs and behaviour. Each to their own, and it will work for some dogs, but it can be a really risky strategy in some dogs that could become anxious, suffer separation anxiety later and untrusting as a result.

https://www.happyofficedogs.com/post/let-sleeping-dogs-lie-but-never-let-puppy-dogs-cry
http://www.simplybehaviour.com/letting-dog-cry-cause-permanent-damage/
https://ourfamilydog.org.uk/puppy-crying-at-night

I disagree entirely, seems to be almost 100% successful from all pup owners that I talk to. Yes certain breeds adapt quicker than others but for all that have the willpower to stick it out it seems to be around a week at most. There are many articles that can be quoted from for most schools of thought, I am just adding what myself, my friends and neighbours have found to be a great way of introducing a new member to the household.

 

[KeegansHairPiece]

I disagree entirely, seems to be almost 100% successful from all pup owners that I talk to. Yes certain breeds adapt quicker than others but for all that have the willpower to stick it out it seems to be around a week at most. There are many articles that can be quoted from for most schools of thought, I am just adding what myself, my friends and neighbours have found to be a great way of introducing a new member to the household.

I was referring specifically to crying / puppy in distress than general barking for attention etc. It maybe you and your neighbours didn't have puppies that cried in distress so it wouldn't apply anyway.

I don't think you'll find many qualified behavourists endorsing letting a puppy 'cry it out' anymore.

 

[Iford Albion]

I wasn't and am not a huge fan of the crate, but it does give the dog some secure quiet space.

The pack thing is interesting @KHP. Rocco is part of our little clan, and behaves like it, he will push/pull on the lead to get us alltogether if there's a stragller out walking often. . . he gets jealous if I give too much attention to other dogs sometimes he's definitely more a pf a people dog than a dogs dog. not a lot of wolf in a Twatterdale Terrier!

Is Rocco a Patterdale? We have an eight year old broken haired beauty called Belle. She is a Nutall from a working family. Fantastic dog. Crated for first few years.

 

[BN9 BHA]

of dogs.

 

[junior]

Much excitement at neighbours who are getting a puppy. Mrs Neighbour has already apologised for any noise while it settles (very nice of her) but mentioned it shouldn't last long as they're "crate training" it.

Anyone know what this is? I've never heard any of my dog owning mates mention it. Will it miraculously have the little pup sleeping through the night within the week? Or can I actually expect a rather more lengthy yap and howl based disruption? Youngest GB keeps harping on about getting a puppy and one of the biggest things putting me off is that, at my advanced age, I simply can't do another round of infant/animal based insomnia.

Yep, crate trained both my last 2 German Shepherds and they were quiet and sleeping through the night within a week. It only works if you do not react to thier noise AT ALL in those first couple of nights. If you give in and go to them when they are crying, then you've failed. I actually go one step further and they have a blanket over their crate at night.
Latest one is 6 months old now and lives outside in a kennel and doesn't make a peep at night. Unless someone starts snooping on the driveway.

 

[Tokyohands]

Put a toilet tray in the cage, they get used to doing their biz there pretty quickly during the night.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Yep, crate trained both my last 2 German Shepherds and they were quiet and sleeping through the night within a week. It only works if you do not react to thier noise AT ALL in those first couple of nights. If you give in and go to them when they are crying, then you've failed. I actually go one step further and they have a blanket over their crate at night.
Latest one is 6 months old now and lives outside in a kennel and doesn't make a peep at night. Unless someone starts snooping on the driveway.

Put a toilet tray in the cage, they get used to doing their biz there pretty quickly during the night.

Did both of the above, worked perfectly.