Pets
Related: About this forumIf you want peace in your life, train your dog to love its crate
Its 3:30 p.m. on a Saturday, and Angus is in his crate. Hes had a very busy day so far up at 5:30 a.m., two walks, a little name game, some corrections when he barked at a woman on a bench, some huge praise and treats when he didnt bark at a jogger, a little tennis ball fetch, a little tug, a lot of romping with his big sister Rosie in the yard.
But now he is in his crate, and he is sleeping, and my husband and I can do whatever we like without those puppy fears you know, fears that hell chew up an electrical cord or jump on the coffee table or suddenly mark in the living room. The puppy is in his crate, and we are free.
We did not always have this freedom with our dogs. Toby, as Ive mentioned here before, was my first dog, and I knew nothing. I didnt crate-train him because I thought crates were cruel, like jail, like being in the pound. Consequently, he roamed freely throughout my apartment, destroying my couch, eating my then-boyfriends favorite ball cap and, for several months, peeing regularly behind the easy chair in the living room.
(snip)
Our third dog, Riley, was terrified of everything, and that included being in a crate. We dont know what happened in his first home, but it wasnt good. While we did crate him for the first few months, he never got used to it. It was heartbreaking. I would drive home every day on my lunch break to let him out, and he was so happy to be in the yard. And then when lunch was over Id have to physically wrangle him back into the crate hed actually spread his four legs as wide as possible to keep from fitting inside the crate door, and Id peel them off, one by one, and stuff him in.
As I drove away I could hear his screams and howls. It killed me.
As soon as it was responsible to let Riley stay home unsupervised without being incarcerated, we took the crate apart and stored it away. He never used it again, although he did stake out little den areas under the kitchen table, and under the dining room table.
I had heard people say that their dogs loved their crates and sometimes went inside of their own volition, and I have to tell you, I thought those people were lying to me.
And then we got Rosie. And now, Angus. And both of them have loved their crates from Day 1. And oh, what a wonder it is.
Both learned that when they went into their crates only good things would happen there food and toys and treats. When I sing out, Angus, go to bed! he turns and races into his crate and I toss in a handful of kibble and he is happy. He stays in there without a peep.
And why not? It has a thick soft mat that he is systematically destroying, and the blue fleece frog blanket that he came to us with, and a small water dish, and a whole array of chew toys. All it needs is an electric teakettle and a reading light and Id crawl in there, too.
Angus sleeps in the crate and eats in the crate and when we eat hes in there, too, to prevent begging, and when we are not home he hangs out in that crate and sometimes hes in there just because we all need a break.
And yes, sometimes he goes in of his own volition. Its a miracle.
http://www.startribune.com/the-puppy-chronicles-if-you-want-peace-in-your-life-and-respite-time-train-your-dog-to-love-its-crate/480378213/
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RKP5637
(67,030 posts)in and lie down, like it was his own little cabin. Then, if he saw me on the bed, he would jump up by me. He just loved his cat carrier ... EXCEPT on trips to the vet.
iscooterliberally
(2,849 posts)I would always have special treats that they loved and only got when they were in the crate. My dogs are much older now and the crates have long since been stowed away. I know if I broke one out and set it up my nine year old would go right in and lie down. We also put blankets over the top the the crate to make it like a fort. They loved that too. Thanks for posting this!
Ohiogal
(31,657 posts)and she loves her crate even with the door left open. It's her safe space.
procon
(15,805 posts)Actually, she's too big for a closed crate, so I use one of those fold away wire playpens, but it serves the same purpose. She often goes in on her own for a nap on her plush bed, and she gets a couple of dog biscuits when I put her away from the night. Sometimes one of the cats will climb over and they have a nice sleepover.
I learned from a breeder the whys and hows of crate training when I bought my first dog, a feisty little Beagle what was a total house wrecker if left alone. Don't ever use force or use their crate for discipline or as a punishment. As long as you make it their safe spot, their comfy sanctuary, then it's like a den and dogs enjoy it. It also a useful training when you have to transport your dog, or if they need to stay at the vets, or go to a kennel, it will be less stressful for them.
mopinko
(69,803 posts)if my pup wasnt a crate lover, he would be dead or back at the shelter.
i cant wait for him to get over destroying everything so he can have a bed.
my 2 old ladies are being reminded about crates. they need the extra security. they wander around looking for me when i am gone. or they could be chewing juicy bones in their crate.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)The dog knows that when he is in the spot he is safe and can relax.
Eventually the crate will not be necessary and the dog's bed in the corner will give him the spot where he can go and unwind.
Crate training is a kindness to a dog.
sweetroxie
(776 posts)people leave their dogs cooped up for hours in the crate. Then it is a punishment and not fair to the dog.
marybourg
(12,540 posts)kiddies in the house.
Phentex
(16,330 posts)Mine think of it as their bed. When my husband grinds the coffee at night, they head over to the crate like "It's time for bed! My people are about to go upstairs."
I've left them loose when I've gone to run a quick errand and come home to find them in the crates with the doors open. In that case, I think they think *I* forgot to crate them before I left.
get the red out
(13,458 posts)We had far fewer problems with puppy #2 than we did with puppy #1 6 years prior because we crate trained our second dog.
The dog in that picture is a GORGEOUS Border Collie!!!!!!!! Having a BC mix and a BC, I find crate training puppies to be a very good idea. I don't like worrying constantly if puppy is going to chew an electrical cord when I'm not looking, things like that above and beyond tearing something up. It's easier to make good habits than to break bad ones, with dogs and humans. Our second puppy made very good habits by being happily crated when not supervised. He doesn't have to be crated at home now since he developed into a dog that is well behaved inside. Our first dog finally got it despite us and does great now, helped show the young guy the ropes.