Crate Training

[benjihairybutt]

Hi,

I don't accually have a puppy, but i am looking into getting one. I want to be prepared if I do decide to get one so I thought I'd post some questions. I've been hearing a lot about crate training, but I still don't quite know what it is. Can someone explain why you crate train puppies? If I get a dog I want it to sleep in my room, and I don't really like the idea of putting it in a crate, I think it seems kind of mean. What is the purpose of the crate training?

 

[Mordy]

You can put the crate in your room.

Crate training has two purposes:

1. to have a place where the dog is "under control" when you can't closely supervise, which comes in extremely handy for house training - when the dog can't have an accident even if you are not watching, he will be house trained much faster than if you give him the run of the house when he can't control himself yet. And the sooner he can control himself, the sooner you can give him more freedom.

2. to get the dog accustomed to accept being confined when necessary. Just think about it, if your dog for example ever got really sick and required hospitalizing at a vet's, or a natural disaster strikes and you need to evacuate, would you rather have to deal with a frightened, stressed dog who is terrified and frustrated being confined in a crate, or one who is used to it and curls up for a nap?

You don't have to crate a dog forever. This is a misconception a lot of people seem to have. Once the dog is crate trained (meaning: used to spending time in a crate), it's up to you how you use it.

Some links:
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/crate.htm

 

[benjihairybutt]

Oh, ok so it's just to get the dog used to a crate in case you ever need it. You don't nessesarily have to use a crate all the time, or make the dog sleep in the crate or anything?

 

[yoko]

when i got yoshi she slept there because she wasn't houstrained and she wouldn't go to the bathroom in her crate. so that way i could sleep all night with no accidents then take her out. when she became more reliable i'd let her sleep with me for a while and then around 3 or 4 i'd get up and put her in her crate just until morning *around 9* after about a month with no accidents i started letting her sleep with me the wholenight, or atleast spend the night outside of the crate. but by then she'd gotten use to the crate and some times just to get some alone time she'd choose to go in there on her own

 

[benjihairybutt]

ok i think I understand more now. Thanks. So if I were to choose to crate train it wouldn't mean that my dog couldn't sleep with me, or that I would have to use the crate when I was gone or anything, it's more or less just helpfull for when they are housetraining and for when they need to use a crate in the future.

 

[yoko]

well it might be a good idea to kee your dog there when you are gone. that way it can't get into things and poison itself or tear up your belongings. but with it being alone that long i'd try to find someone who could come in and let your dog out once in a while. how old of a dog are you looking for?

 

[benjihairybutt]

I'm not sure yet, I want a puppy, but I am debating weather or not I could handle the training.

 

[Saje]

Crate training works for a lot of people but it has to work for the people and the dogs. I don't crate train. My schedule is far too erratic for it. I never really know when I'll be home when I go to work. If you do crate train you'll have to keep your puppy in the crate whenever you aren't home, through the night and when you can't watch him/her. I use a puppy proof room myself.

 

[benjihairybutt]

I don't really like the idea of keeping my puppy in a crate all the time. I'd rather use a puppy proof room while it's young and hopefully in a few years it would be ok to have the run of the house while I'm away.

 

[Saje]

It's up to you. I know I wouldn't leave a puppy in a crate with my schedule. If you can make regular stops at home to let it out to pee and for some exercise I'm sure it can work.

 

[Mordy]

So if I were to choose to crate train it wouldn't mean that my dog couldn't sleep with me, or that I would have to use the crate when I was gone or anything, it's more or less just helpfull for when they are housetraining and for when they need to use a crate in the future.

Yup, that's basically it.

You'll want to get your dog to like the crate, and ideally you will have it set up in a quiet spot where the dog can retreat to if he wants to - just like a regular dog bed.

Once the dog is reliable enough (in regards to house training and not chewing/destroying inappropriate items), there is no need to shut the door anymore, but I wouldn't pack up the crate so the dog stays familiar with it.

I use mine instead of a nightstand for example.

 

[moxiegrl]

Benji- Im actually very impressed that your putting so much thought into a puppy at 14. A lot of kids/teens get puppies, w/out thinking of the future, and how to train and be there for the dog. Thats when they end up at a shelter. It's just nice to see someone younger be that responsible...

 

[benjihairybutt]

Thanks moxiegrl, I'm too much of an animal lover to rush in uneducated. Besides, it gives me a reason to join another animal forum I love all this research anyway, I want to be a vet when I grow up, so anything I learn relating to animals might be well worth it in my opinion.

Neat idea using a crate instead of a nightstand Mordy. I could just steal that in the future.

 

[Mordy]

I agree with moxiegrl, it's great that you are putting so much thought into everything.

And benj, I applaud your plans to become a vet, just don't make the same mistake I did - I had chosen the same career path and started prerequisite classes like latin and biology in 5th grade but was so tired of sitting in school by the time I finished 10th grade that I didn't want to spend another 7+ years that way. So I changed my classes to majors in English, Business Studies and Economics instead and went on to work in an entirely different field for years. I still regret that!

 

[benjihairybutt]

Holly cow, you were studing biology in the 5th grade!! Don't worry, I'm not that far along in my studies. Right now I'm basically just researching my pets, or in this case future pets, with forums and such, not jumping too far ahead in my medical studies.