Three Common Crate Training Problems and Mistakes – How to Avoid Them
Many people are reluctant to crate train their dogs. They feel it is either cruel or too complicated. Crate training is easier for the dog, and less stressful for the owner in the long run. Once you have set up the crate and introduced the puppy to the crate you might run into some of these common problems.
1. The puppy does not want to go into the crate – If this happens as a new puppy you need to think of the trauma your dog has just gone through. They just left their litter mates and mom. They are probably lonely. You should ask the breeder before you pick up your puppy if you can give them the blanket that you will put in the crate. Let the other puppies play/sleep on it so that it has a familiar smell. This will help it be more comfortable for your puppy. If you adopt a dog from the shelter, you can try sleeping with the blanket for a couple of days before you get the puppy. This way it smells like you, and that is comforting too.
2. The puppy is crying and I can’t sleep – A puppy is very similar to a baby. You need to remember that they are scared and unfamiliar with the environment. Remember to stay calm and positive around the dog. If you scream and yell, they are not going to behave and the crying will get worse. You should also ask yourself if they are crying for a reason. Maybe they need to go outside, or they are hungry or thirsty. Take care of their needs, and they should calm down. If there are two of you, you can also try switching nights of responsibility for the dog. If you are consistent, this should stop after a few nights.
3. The puppy is eliminating in the crate – This shouldn’t happen. Dogs are very clean animals and they won’t go to the bathroom in their crate unless they don’t have an option. There are two likely causes for this. One, the crate is too big. If the crate is too big they will have the extra space to eliminate. Make the crate smaller (if that is an option) or you will need to purchase a smaller crate until they grow. The second cause is that you are keeping them in the crate for too long at a time. Remember, puppies have small bladders and need to be let out frequently. A rule of thumb is every 2 hours from 6 to 10 weeks, and every 3 to 4 hours for puppies 10 to 14 weeks.
When it comes to crate training, the following three mistakes are some of the most common. Unfortunately, committing just one of them may set back the crate training process. Use caution to avoid some of these common pitfalls.
1. Never take the puppy out of the crate in the night and invite them into your bed! This may quiet them up so you can sleep but there are many dangers involved. You could accidentally roll over and hurt them. They could have an accident in your bed. They could fall out of the bed and get hurt. However the worst reason to do this is because they will get used to sleeping with you. Any person that has ever allowed a baby to sleep in your bed with you knows that it is really challenging to get them to sleep out of your bed and in their own. If you do this you may never be able to get them crate trained.
2. Don’t rush the training! As humans we are always in a hurry, and have very little patience. That is just the opposite of a dog. They move at their own pace, and are not in a rush to do anything they don’t want to do. Stay calm. If you force the dog in the crate, or yell at him when he is in there you are damaging your dog. The memory of a dog is fascinating. They will forget that they did something wrong within minutes, but will remember any anger or mistreating for years. Give them time and positive encouragement. They will get there eventually, and it will happen much faster if you don’t lose your temper.
3. Never use the crate for punishment! The dog should want to go in the crate. It should become their own personal retreat. If you force them inside the crate because of a wrong doing, they will become less likely to go in on their own. This could become so damaging to the dog, that they will only see the crate as a cage for punishment, and could eventually become hostile to being crated.
Use common sense and stay calm. Keep a routine, and your puppy will be crate trained in no time.
By Shannon Major
