Puppy crate training suggestions?

**mike4cy** · 02-12-2008, 02:18 PM

My little puppy does perfectly fine at night in his kennel but when we go to work he still barks in his kennel. Does that stop eventually or do I have to do something to get him to like it during the day? Any suggestions on kennel training a puppy?

**4VR4CY** · 02-12-2008, 02:19 PM

A clock that ticks.... put it in the kennel with him.

Jack (age 3) used to bark, he doesn't now. Clyde (9 weeks) still wimpers.

**cyismydog** · 02-12-2008, 02:20 PM

It will eventually stop. Our dog barked 24 hours a day for his first 3 days in a kennel, but he never barks in his kennel now. He doesn't even bark in the house.

**JonDMiller** · 02-12-2008, 02:29 PM

If a dog barks in his kennel when you are at work, does anyone hear it?

**mike4cy** · 02-12-2008, 02:32 PM

OK. well we have been having him in there since last Sunday and he is getting a lot better (no bark at night and only for like 5-10 mins during the days.) Do I need to put him in there when we are home so he feels more comfortable in the kennel? I want him to feel like his "personal place" any time of day. Also, is there a way to get him to like to pee in the snow? He is so low to the ground I think he gets "cold" if you know what I mean. Thanks for any advice!!

**mike4cy** · 02-12-2008, 02:34 PM

If only Marty and Miller would be on at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm so he can go to sleep easier when I leave. jk. But seriously...

**CyinCo** · 02-12-2008, 02:35 PM

I've heard that covering the kennel can keep the dog quiet too. Like a sheet or blanket to make it seem more enclosed. Of course, nothing too suffocating.

**DaddyMac** · 02-12-2008, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by mike4cy

OK. well we have been having him in there since last Sunday and he is getting a lot better (no bark at night and only for like 5-10 mins during the days.) Do I need to put him in there when we are home so he feels more comfortable in the kennel? I want him to feel like his "personal place" any time of day. Also, is there a way to get him to like to pee in the snow? He is so low to the ground I think he gets "cold" if you know what I mean. Thanks for any advice!!

That is absolutely what you want to do. The crate needs to be your dog's place, where he's comfortable at.

Crate training is the A#1 thing we did with our dog. Make it fun for the pup. Lots of treats and rewards. Make it exciting.

We did alot of "kennel up" work with ours and she doesn't even hesitate to go in. Don't be afraid to do it at random times while you're home as well. And when he does it - reward the heck out him. You'll probably want this for when you have visitors. And don't ever, especially at a young age, put the dog in the crate when YOU are upset at the dog. Don't relate it to punishment.

As for the outside thing - clear a spot where you want him to go. Little dog like that, I imagine it's probably pretty miserable for him. But put that spot where you want him to go - not someplace that's convenient for you. He'll remember.

**tec71** · 02-12-2008, 02:41 PM

We often times at the beginning put our dogs in the kennel's during the day. We also left them in there when we first got up in the morning. Our one dog would bark when we first got up. We didn't go let her out until she quieted down. They never barked after that. We have one dog that when the kids are loud or irritating him he'll go to his kennel and lay in with the door open just to get away. Just keep it up. It'll quiet down. As for the snow thing I can't say. I have a dog that won't go out when it's raining at all, or sometimes when it's just really humid.

**mike4cy** · 02-12-2008, 02:42 PM

So I put him in there while we are home and he barks, I just try to ignore it? It really kills my fiance to have him in there while we are home. Do I just not pay any attention to him when I put him in there and we are home? It would be easier for me to stand the barking if I knew he will stop after a little while.

**MJAnderson** · 02-12-2008, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by mike4cy

So I put him in there while we are home and he barks, I just try to ignore it? It really kills my fiance to have him in there while we are home. Do I just not pay any attention to him when I put him in there and we are home? It would be easier for me to stand the barking if I knew he will stop after a little while.

I pretty much just ignore the barking if I'm sure he doesn't have to go outside. He usually quits after a little while.

**4VR4CY** · 02-12-2008, 02:51 PM

Have you ever tried to feed him in there? It will make him associate food with the kennel. Or treats. It gets better. You just have to stay strong. It is HARD! Every morning when I leave now I have heart pains. But, I know the new puppy will get used to it just like our older dog.

Our older dog goes to his place (kennel) when I get the treats out in the morning. He knows what to do if he wants a treat and does it before I ask him to.

**DaddyMac** · 02-12-2008, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by mike4cy

So I put him in there while we are home and he barks, I just try to ignore it? It really kills my fiance to have him in there while we are home. Do I just not pay any attention to him when I put him in there and we are home? It would be easier for me to stand the barking if I knew he will stop after a little while.

You most definitely don't let him out if he's fussing.

It's nothing more than separation anxiety. He'll get over it. Can't say it enough - for a young pup, it's all about making it fun. And keep all your training short and simple. Liken it to training a two year old kid. They can soak up alot, but have no attention span and become bored easily.

Another tip I've been told - don't let him get out until you "ok' him. Meaning, you don't want your dog to bust out of the kennel and run around the house on his own. And you don't want your dog to bust out the door as you open it, run out in the street and get run over.

I was at a seminar a few weeks back for starting off your hunting puppy. But the tips would work for any dog. What this trainer did was just to keep slightly closing the door on the pup trying to get out on his own. Nothing harsh like slamming the door. And he didn't say a word, encourage or scold. He would just cut off the dogs path out and wouldn't stop until the door could be opened with the pup staying put. After a few minutes, you could see the progress. When he could open the door and the pup would stay, he'd then just give it a simple command to come out - and the reward the heck out of the little guy.

One more along the same line. EVen on a leash, don't let your dog go out the door first. Some sort of alpha dog mentality. Again, might save it from rushing out an open door and getting hurt.

If it weren't so cold, I'd suggest you do the whole bathroom on command thing - that comes in handy.