Crate Training Questions

I never used the crate to potty train Drake. So, I am not very familiar with how to crate train. Our crate is used for travel only.

My mom is trying to potty train Ripley and has been having a heck of a time. She has been monitoring his food and water intake and taking him out every hour etc... He does his business outside but is always having accidents around the house.

I told her that I would inquire about crate training for her and have searched here on Pet Talk for threads, but have only gotten bits and pieces. Mom works and is out 8 hours a day. My brother is there now, so he can help while she is gone.

Some websites said he had to be crated only when she is home. Other sites said the opposite. I am totally confused and she is getting so discouraged. It has been 25 years since she last owned a dog.

Help us, please!

Ripley will be 5 months old on October 10th.

That is really weird that some sites said only to crate while she's home! The whole idea of it is the dog is in a crate when he can't be supervised. It is like a "den" for the dog. It works with potty training because the dog is reluctant to potty in his sleeping area so will try to hold it for longer. If the crate is too big, the dog will sometimes potty on one side and sleep on the other so size is an important factor. Be sure the dog can stand up, lay down, and turn around comfortably but not too much more space than that. Once a dog is potty trained, extra space is okay though. If her crate is too big for the potty training phase, she can block off part of it with something (upside down laundry basket or something similar - just be sure it won't be ruined by the dog chewing on it).

The crate should be made a positive place and never be used for punishment. I keep radios by my crates and play classical music. I also have blankets and toys in the crates (as long as I know the dog isn't destructive and won't rip everything apart. I don't crate my own dogs anymore, but I always crate fosters).

You can't expect to buy a crate one day, put the dog in it, and just leave for work and have everything go smoothly. The proper introduction to the crate is a slower one. Certain dogs will take to it much faster than others. I always prefer a slower introduction because that will greatly reduce the stress of the dog when he is left alone in it. I start out by placing treats (usually something GOOD like small cut up hot dog bits) around the crate and saying "check it out!". When the dog is comfortable with that, I throw treats inside the crate and let the dog go get them and walk back out. I leave the door propped open at this point and don't even touch it until the dog seems comfortable inside the crate. When the dog starts lingering on the inside of the crate waiting for more treats to be thrown in, I will give a treat and then close the door VERY briefly without latching it. I open it back up and allow the dog to walk out (no treat for walking OUT). I do this several times until the dog is comfortable with this step. The next step would be luring the dog in with treats and then shutting and actually latching the door shut. Gradually increase the time you leave the dog in. When the dog can stay in there for 1-2 minutes calmly, then start leaving the room for 5 minutes at a time and returning to let the dog back out. Never let the dog out or reprimand the dog if he is whining, pawing the crate door, barking, yelping, etc. If the dog thinks that behavior will get him out of the crate, he will become persistent with it and you'll get a mess on your hands. Also, never give the dog a treat for coming OUT of the crate, only going IN. Coming out of the crate is a reward in itself. If a dog is expecting to get a treat when exiting the crate, he will become overly excited and really want out. The idea is to get him comfortable IN the crate.

When you're working on crate training, pick the dog's favorite few treats and ONLY give these to the dog in the crate, no other time. Crate time should be special and fun!

The dog should be pottied before going into the crate when being left in there for a length of time. When your mom comes home, she should take him directly out of the crate and into the backyard (preferrably on leash at first). If he doesn't potty, take him back inside and put him in the crate for 15 minutes. Then try to take him outside again. If he goes potty, then PRAISE and let him back inside the house with free run. His reward for pottying is time outside the crate.

If a dog shows anxiety in a crate, sometimes covering it with a sheet will help. Also the classical music helps.

Hope some of that helped :)

Thanks for your post, Aly. I will email your response to my mom. She will greatly appreciate it.

Souraya

I was at the shelter recently and heard one of the "counselors" advising a new adopter that you should NEVER crate train.

I nearly fell on the floor. I don't know if this was a new edict from the owners or something she decided for herself. I couldn't say anything since I'm not an employee, just a volunteer. I did say something to the adopter when we got outside.

Crate training, correctly done (as Aly has described) is the fastest and most humane way to train.

Mary

Aly, your post was absolutley PERFECT...my gracie is 4 months old and we have been crate training since day one..when she was 9 weeks old and she has done great! I have done exactly how you described and its a pleasant experience for her..I never use it for punishment. She is in her crate all night to sleep at this point and I am hoping by 6 months she will be able to sleep in our room in the bed she is getting for Christmas (fingers/toes crossed) She is also in it while I am at work which is 8 - 4 but I come home from 11 - 12 to let her out and we play outside/exercise (I am only 4 min from work) She has a little fleece pillow and I always let her take one chew toy with her. I think its the ONLY way to go..and I have read tons on the subject on the web and in books and talked to the vet, PetSmart trainer..and they all agree.

Tell your mom to hang in there..and the main thing is the size of the crate..for sure...it should be a security place for them...and it will be if its the right size!

I agree, Aly described training perfectly. The only thing I have to add is to beware of the smart dog. When we weref irst crate training Sadie, we used boxes to reduce the size of the crate. Smart girlshe was, she figured out how to get on top of the boxes and do her business out the back side of the crate!! Made her own little 2nd story bathroom! We then bought a divider made by the same company as the crate, and that worked much better :)