Crate Training Survey

ORIGINAL: bunni

Chuffy, The ideas of coping strategy and security in a crate are true for some breeds (and some dogs) more than others.

Of course.  I wasn't suggesting all dogs take to it like a duck to water.  When I get a new puppy I work on the assumption that s/he won't take to it naturally and work hard to train him to accept it using kind methods.  The end result is the same IME..... it becomes a coping strategy.  When kids come over and get too rough with the dog or he just gets tired out, he has somewhere to go.  When we go on holiday its all new and strange but the crate at least is familiar.  But having saidl, thats only IME..... there are several breeds I've never owned, poodle being one of them and perhaps that just isn't true for them....

 I have trained all of the foster puppies and dogs to use a crate. It takes about 2-3 days with a fussy or younger pup. Adults take maybe a day or two. You have to leave the crate open and keep filling it with surprises that the dog can find on their own. You can train them to go in by clicking and treating, or tossing awesome treats in it. You should also have the crate someplace central in your home so they can see you and not feel isolated in it. Crate the dog at times when you are home too so it doesn't associate teh crate with your absence. Also, you cannot leave them in it so long that they have to pee in it, or begin to hate it. The more crate time the dog gets, the more exercise you must provide. If you have a dog that isn't paincing but is just protesting the first night, cover the crate with a blanket so it can't see out- that helps them settle down, adn for new or nervous dogs, perhaps it reduces stress by reducing visual stimulatuion. Uncover it if the dog will be quiet.

1) Did you crate train a puppy or an adult dog?
2) How long did it take to train the pup (or dog) to quietly sleep in the crate all night?

 
Shakespeare was 8 months when we finally decided we needed a crate, for during the days while we were gone.  The first night was h#ll.  He usually slept in the bathroom, and thats where he liked to be.  He would be put in there during the day too.  The first night with the crate I closed the bathroom door and put his toys and blankets in the crate.  He cried all night.  The next day it took some force to get him in when we were leaving but he went.  Now I can tell both dogs to go to their rooms and they do it, and the voluntarily lay around in them at anytime

I prefer not to use crates for my dogs, but did acclimate them as adults in case of medical necessity. So far, we've been able to use the umbilical and a blow up mattress for medical, but you never know.  I do use crates for fosters and also at least test them without as I want them to be as adoptable as possible.

Did you crate train a puppy or an adult dog?--We crate trained Sally at 1 year old and Jack at 10 weeks old

How long did it take to train the pup (or dog) to quietly sleep in the crate all night?--Sally never has been in the crate at night.  Jack took a few weeks to sleep without crying at all. 

Did you start a few minutes at a time?--With Sally yes.  With Jack we started by putting him in there when he was really tired--he didn't mind it so much when he was sleeping.

With the door open or closed from the start?--Sally, open.  Jack, closed.

What treats did you use if any?--We fed Jack and Sally seperately, usually in their crates or with Jack in his crate and Sally out of hers.  We also give raw bones or any edible, high value chewy in the crates (supervised).  Unsupervised I'll occasionally give stuffed Kongs.

Did you make your pup sleep in the crate from day one?  Sally has never slept over night in it.  Jack has from day one.

Did he fuss?  A little bit of one (he was in the bedroom with us).  Not all night or anything, but a bit of a fuss.
Did you ever let the pup out because he was crying?  The only time we took him out because of whining was if we felt he had to potty.  We quickly learned the difference between "I want OUT" cries and "I gotta GO" cries.

Do you think that set your training back?  Not really.  If he was just wanting out we didn't give in to the cries.  He can be crated anywhere and anytime now.

What mistakes did you make in crate training?  With Sally I think we went too fast.  I was completely clueless when I got her.  If I were doing it now I would have eased her into it a lot more--I think she would have been more comfortable in the crate.  With Jack I think we've done OK.  I can crate him anywhere I need to without an issue.

1) Did you crate train a puppy or an adult dog?
    Both

2) How long did it take to train the pup (or dog) to quietly sleep in the crate all night?
    The puppies were 11 weeks when we brought them home, and they slept quietly (together in one GSD size crate) all night from the beginning.

    My current foster dog was already 75 lbs when he came to me as a stray.  He had obviously never been inside a home, much less a crate.  It still only took a few days, less than a week to crate train him completely to where he was content in there for hours.

I've also crate trained a few other GSD adult foster dogs, and the time period always varies with the dog's temperment, past, etc.  We have one in rescue now that goes ballistic in any confinement, but is a perfect gentleman when not confined.  His current foster doesn't mind leaving him out, so he doesn't get crated.

3) Did you start a few minutes at a time? Yes, always in short increments with lots of praise and treats.

4) With the door open or closed from the start?
Short bursts of closing it while he eats his treat and then open it right away, call him out and praise lavishly

5) What treats did you use if any?
Pieces of hotdog for the fosters.  I also feed their meals in the crate to associate "good things happen in the crate"
N/A for the puppiess - but they ALWAYS get a cookie even now when they "go to bed"

6) Did you make your pup sleep in the crate from day one?
The puppies, yes.
The foster dogs, not always, unless they take to it right away.

7) Did he fuss?
No fussing from the pups or from our current foster

Did you ever let the pup out because he was crying?
No.  There are times now that they are 100% crate trained that if they whine, I know they must "have to go".  But I still wait until they're quiet before I will open the door.

9) Do you think that set your training back?
N/A - but I think it would if I had let them out while whining.

10) What mistakes did you make in crate training?
    Since they're all very comfy and love their crates, I don't think I made any![sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]
     But then again, I've made plenty in other training areas to make up for it![:-]