What is your theory to crate training a puppy (I have a Beagle)?

Question

Everywhere I read, I hear different theories on how to train my beagle. He is 14 weeks old. Need help on proper crate training etiquette so I can get him house-trained as soon as possible.

Answer 1

I believe in crate training completely. My dogs end up loving their crates and go there to be alone. You'll get to the point, later in your dog's life, that you don't have to close the door on the crate...it is just his bedroom/private space.

That said, there are tough times in the beginning stages of crate training, too. He doesn't want to be locked away in the middle of the night. And you will feel horrible at first. Don't give in!!! Keep it up and after a week or so, it'll get better. Don't give in to his lonely wimpering and barking: keep a light on, and maybe some light music. But in the beginning, you must let him out at least once in the middle of the night. Preferrably, when YOU decide to take him out....not when he is crying.

There are books, ect. to help. Good luck!!!

Answer 2

at first I did not like the idea... but when you think about the idea... dogs are den creatures anyhow.....
well i first got my dog used to the crate by getting her in and out using treats, I did this when we go it that afternoon, before bedtime. She sleeps pretty much straight through the night, but the way we set her up is we have a play pen, we put the crate in the playpen, to one side of the pen is food and water bowls, another side pee pee pads for accidents (which she does not really uses anymore, only rips to pieces), and then the crate.
I walk her every morning when i get up, then feed, walk again, then again before I leave for work, when she was between 2-5months I came home each day during the day to walk her, and slowly came home one hour later until it was about my normal coming home time. She does great, now I get home in the evenings, feed and walk her, then walk her before bed. She knows that when she gets let out the crate, even if its not those time, and when we go out she does her business, b/c she will go at anytime we take her as long as it's right out of the crate.... when we are home at nights and all weekend, she plays around the house, and she will go the door and scratch if she needs t go out, but that rare now that she is older, and goes much less, I have associated her crate with sleeping for her (she has a bed and a toy there and sometimes something to chew), the house to play (we have toys everywhere) and outside as the bathroom and a place t meet friends.

Answer 3

I partially crate trained my husky puppy...he sleeps in it at night so he can't get into mischief. You have to make it a good thing! Set up the kennel in a family room, like the kitchen or living room. I put my boy's food and water in there and gave him treats when he went in. I started by shuting the gate for a little bit at a time and when he was quiet, I'd let him out. Now he'll go there when he wants to get way from people or my daughter because he knows that she isn't allowed to bother him in there...Its his own personal space. If you put it in a family room, he'll be more likely to use it an become comfortable with it because he is still part of the family, he is still with people, but in is own space! Just NEVER use it as a punishment! I will tie my puppy to the door knob when hes naughty, but if I were to put him in his kennel, he'd associate it with being punished.

BEWARE: the first couple of nights I had to lay next to my puppy's kennel until he fell asleep.

If you can get him NOT to pee in his Kennel at night and RUN HIM outside first thing in the am...I used to not let Jack out until I could literaly PICK him up and RUN him outside to do his business! If I let him out without picking him up, he pee 2 feet from him kennel! Jack house broke REALLY easy after that! Before 3 mo he was completely house broke! Now I know that if he cries or barks at night, it is because he has to go out!

Otherwise I don't really use a kennel for anything, but at night. BUT thats because hes gotten used to it. The kennel is in my bed room now...at "bed time" he goes and gets his stuffed rabbit
( he won't sleep without it...) and crawls into his kennel and flops down on his nice, cushy bed...asleep in mins!

Answer 4

It didn't work for my two dogs. They hated the crate. I guess they felt like they were being locked up. After he eats take him outside until he potties.

Answer 5

i hate that idea i have never done create training.i think its stupid.i wouldn't want to be in a create.after you feed your puppy wait about 5-10 min and take him out.and also they sniff around when they need to go out .if they go to the bathroom in the house.give them a stern no.and take them out also when the go out side tell them good.with a happy voice.its always worked for me and anyone will tell you basset hounds are hard to train but i did it with mine + other dogs that i had good luck to you.

Answer 6

I know a lot of people who have used that method and it seems to work for them. I for one won't have a dog because of that reason. I work 12 hour days, I think it would be unfair to have a puppy or dog and leave them caged up for that many hours daily.

Answer 7

Check out this website: http://www.training-dogs.com/crate-training.html

Good luck!