Crating an 8mo chih.mix

[fidori]

Our 8mo female, Shadow, is a rescue dog that we adopted just a few weeks ago. She and our other dog will be outdoor dogs, but spend time in the house as well. Shadow has eliminated in several areas of the house before we've seriously tried to housebreak her.

So many people recommend crating. How does it work? If we kept her in the crate for several hours a day, and then walked her with a leash directly outside to eliminate, would she get the idea that she's not supposed to eliminate anywhere in the house?

Would pee pads work better than crating?

Thanks!!

 

[Doberluv]

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4679

Pay special attention to Mordy's post.

A Chihuahua should not be outside unsupervised. I don't recommend that any dog be an "outside" dog...where they spend the majority of their time away from their human family.

Here's something I wrote on accustoming a puppy to a crate:

ACCUSTOMING YOUR PUPPY TO A CRATE

When you get your puppy, have a crate already set up for him with a comfortable bed or blankets, some good chew toys and some water. Crates are pens made of wire or molded plastic. There are a few other types made of cloth or wicker, which I don't recommend for a young puppy with teeth like a barracuda. I personally prefer the molded plastic type. Throw in some treats and leave the door open. Let him come and go as he wishes. When he comes out, toss in a couple more treats. Do something else and come back to that later.

When he seems quite comfortable going in and out of his crate, place a chair next to it and get yourself a magazine or book. Place his meal in the crate and quietly close the door. He may cry because he's not use to being shut in there but you'll be sitting next to him reading your book. Do not react to his protests. Don't speak to or look at him. Don't cave. Stick to your guns. He may go back to eating. After about 5 minutes, you can let him out again. But do not open the door or pay any attention to him if he is crying. Wait for a lull, a few seconds of quiet to open the door. In other words, you do not want him to learn that crying or whining is what gets him his way. Try not to get too emotional about his drama. Dogs are good at "manipulating" us and know how to get us to attend to them. They've had about 15,000 years to figure it out. Practice that each time he has a meal and practice letting him go in after a treat or the toss of a toy with the door left open a few other times during the day. Associate it with fun.

Do not force him in if you can avoid that. Coax him in and give a treat with a command word, like "crate,†“kennel up†or "go to bed." This will come in handy later. After he stops showing signs of distress of being closed in the crate, move a little further away but in the same room. Go about your business and let him spend a few minutes in his crate with the door closed. Again, let him out but only when he is quiet. Never ever use a crate as a punishment. Only associate it with a pleasant and rewarding place to be and he'll come to love being in his crate. My dogs will use their crate voluntarily when they just need some quiet time or to get away from any commotion.

A crate is useful for traveling in the car and spending time when he can't be supervised. It is also good to become accustomed to a crate for veterinarian office stays. It must be made to be a comforting and pleasant place for him and not used to excess. Four hours at a time is the maximum I recommend. Anymore than that is unfair to an animal. It gets boring and frustrating to a dog.

His crate should be large enough that he can stretch out, turn around and stand up comfortably. It should not be so big as to give so much room that he is apt to use part of it for a bathroom area and part for a sleeping area. A dog will tend not to want to fowl his sleeping area if possible so a crate is an invaluable tool to assist in house-breaking a puppy as well as a safe place when he can't be supervised.
Puppies get into all kinds of trouble, just like human toddlers. When a puppy cannot be supervised, a crate is a safe place for him to be. But it should not be used to excess or as a "baby sitter." Puppies take a lot of involvement, attention and training. Much of your time for your normal activities will instead be used for raising your puppy. A crate is only a tool and no substitute for healthy involvement and interaction with your puppy.

Sleeping at night: I recommend putting your crate or having a second crate next to your bed or somewhere in your bedroom at night. I do not advise letting your puppy sleep in bed with you. Later, when he's well established in your home, you can change that rule. But to start out, it's best to get him accustomed to using his crate and learning a little independence. Dogs, being very social animals do well to be with their human family at night as well as much of the time during the day. So, this is a compromise. He's in your room with you, but in his own place. Dogs just aren't wired to be alone. Having your puppy close to you at night will also enable you to hear him whine if he wakes up and needs to make a potty trip outside.

Getting puppy accustomed to being happy in a crate will take a little time. Don't despair or lose your patience with your puppy if he wails and whines. He'll get use to it in time. Remember not to inadvertently reinforce his protests with attention of any kind unless you think he has to go out to potty or if you think he is ill. There are usually other signs to accompany illness. It is a hard call sometimes. And remember to not associate the crate with punishment or an intolerably boring time.

Happy training!

 

[Maxy24]

Crating prevents a dog from going potty when you are not able to watch him (dogs don't like to potty where they sleep, usually). When you are home and able to watch the dog she should be on leash and with you so she cannot go off and potty. Prevention inside and lots of rewards for going outside is the key.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Wee Wee Pad training dogs can be great... however, it is really best to use them only if you plan to use them long term... many dogs once they get used to going on them expect them to around.

Crate training is also good but you need to always have the dog go before and after being put in the crate so that they never have the opportunity to have mistakes in the crate or the house.

Also, I am hoping we misunderstood the initial posting... chis are not dogs that are meant to live outside... chis are "companion dogs" more than many other breeds they crave and need human attention. As well, they are tiny dogs they do not have the tools to survive outside long term.

 

[Doberluv]

Also, I am hoping we misunderstood the initial posting... chis are not dogs that are meant to live outside... chis are "companion dogs" more than many other breeds they crave and need human attention. As well, they are tiny dogs they do not have the tools to survive outside long term.

Exactly...not only the weather elements, but things like hawks and eagles, other animals. They won't last long outside without direct supervision. Plus, like Poodlemommy implied, they would be miserable if delegated to the outside without their family. All dogs need to spend most of their time with the humans. It's how they're wired through evolution.