what about crate training? is it a need to do thing?

Question

hi, thank you all soo much. ok i have a mini pin i got for x-mas. the dobie is my hubbys. we arent crateing to him. at the momment. but the mini pin gets into everything. she is doign good on potty training thow.

Answer 1

I have raised MANY dogs, in my home. I never sell a puppy until it is housetrained and well mannered. I have never used a crate..
A crate does not train, it only restrains. Training is a communication between master and pet..there is no communication skill developed with a crate.

I am not against others who crate train, but I have just never felt a need for it.. I DO use baby gates..

Answer 2

many people do not like crate training because to them it feels like your putting you dog in a cage therefor a jail
But a crate is more like a home with boundries. Once you sucessfully crate train a puppy you can put a soft bedding
on the bottom. as your puppy grows the crate should get larger as well. I look at it this way i feel confident that my
puppy and now my dog will not break or hurt themselves.
it takes time to effectively crate train a puppy

just follow the outline below and you and your puppy will be happier and safer for it.






First and most important thing to use when housebreaking a puppy is a crate. Now make sure you use a crate constructed totally of wire not the plastic travel crate. The puppy should be in the crate at all times unless you can totally have your eyes on him. If he whines while in the crate ignore him! If you go to him while he is whining it will not reassure him, it will teach him that all he has to do is whine and someone will come. Only go to him when he is quiet. When he is taken out of the crate he needs to be brought outside immediately. Use the same door everytime and bring him to the same place each time. If he is small enough to carry it is better to carry him to the pottying spot so he doesnt have an accident on the way. When he does eliminate praise him tremendously as if he just spoke to you in japanese. Giving him a small treat works wonders too not a biscuit, that takes too long to eat. a piece of hotdog or dog jerky treat works very well. The times a puppy will have to eliminate is: 1.when he comes out of his crate 2. 15-20 min after eating or drinking anything 3. When waking up from a nap 4. after playing and running.
If your puppy made a mistake in the house and you didnt see him make it its too late to punish he will have no idea that he did it. You have to catch him in the act and react at that time. Never ever call your puppy to you to punish him he will think he is being punished for coming to you and that could be dangerous if he decides to run into the street and wont come back when called. anyway the other thing that is very important when training is that you will have urine smell in your carpets and floors. It is very important to neutralize that odor or your dog will eliminate there again. A dog can smell 1 part urine in a million parts water so Resolve or Glory just wont work. Go to a pet store and get the odor neutralizer called Natures Miracle. When the puppy has an accident use the neutralizer on it. You see, with dogs when they smell urine it makes them feel like they have to eliminate. Just like us when we hear water running. above all dont get discouraged and dont EVER hit your puppy!!!! May take 30 days but it will work just follow those simple rules and you and your puppy will be much happier. Good Luck! P.S. The reason I said to use the same door every time is that you will start to notice your puppy hanging around that door when he has to eliminate. You can even go another step and hang a bell on the doorknob and find a way for him to ring it before you open the door possibly jumping up at it. He will figure it out trust me

Answer 3

A lot of people crate train their dogs. I personally don't like the idea. I've decided to use an indoor/outdoor dog pen instead. It keeps the puppy safe but not locked in a crate. The one we have is adjustable to different sizes and shapes. I love it. It's easy to put up and take down. I bought mine at Petsmart. My puppy and I are both happy with the pen. We use it at night for sleeping and during the day when he wants to run and play and I can't watch him every second. We keep his toys in it so he can play all he wants while I do my daily things without having to worry about him.

I hope this helped!
Good Luck!
Brit

Answer 4

You don't have to crate train, it's just an easier way to handle potty training and destructivness. You try to use things like bitter apple to deter the dog from chewing and start a vigerous training program along with 30 min - 1 hour of exercise a day, at least. It will burn off the excess energy and help with behavior issues.

You can't correct a dog unless you catch them IN the act. It won't matter how much you scold, yell, scream, or spank if the deed is already done - it just teaches the dog not to trust you and to fear you.

Try exercising her and training her. Keep her in one designated area unless you're able to keep and eye on her. That should stave off the crate for a bit.

Good Luck

Answer 5

I think its neccessary for the dog to develop boundaries. People assume that dogs are like humans and keeping them in a cage is cruel, but once they are used to it, they actually like it. My dog was crate trained and we still use it (he's 9 months old). I truly believe he is better behaved than he would have been if we hadn't crate trained him. He sill runs in there to sleep or if he's scared so I know he doesn't hate it. Also, puppies get bored when you can't pay constant attention to them, so when you aren't looking they can tear thngs up. This wont happen if they are in a cage.

Answer 6

Crate training is good for many reasons. In the long term, it provides a dog with his own space. Dogs are den animals and a crate is like a den. Most dogs will take to their crates - some enjoy them so much, they'll even go in them later to relax (usually as adult dogs, rare with puppies). If your dog goes into his crate on his own, he basically wants time to relax, so don't bother him then.

However, that's in the future. In the immediate term, I find crates to be great for many reasons, such as house-training. I must stress, though, that while it can help you house-train your dog, it's not immediate. I have two pups and both have gone in their crates at times (one more than the other). I lost a 13.5 year old dog last year (sigh...). But when he was a pup, he too would go in his crate. In other words, just because you put a dog in his crate, it doesn't mean he won't go in it. However, being in his crate will slowly help him adapt to being in a smaller space where he will get used to holding it and not going in the house. My pups are now both 6 months old and haven't made a mess in their crates in quite some time.

I also find crates are a great place to keep a dog, especially a puppy (any dog under 2 years of age), when you cannot watch them. Puppies chew... and chew...and chew. Years ago I felt guilty keeping my pup in a crate, so I let him free. I paid the price - he chewed everything, and I do mean everything! Even if you have tons of toys and treats around, dogs get bored and are mischievous - they will get into things and chew them. So having a pup in a crate gives you piece of mind. They are secure, as are your belongings. Plus, they won't digest something that could harm them.

Therefore, I do recommend crates. Just buy a large enough crate for the size your dog will eventually become. The crate should be large enough for the dog to stand and turn around in.

One warning - do NOT keep your pup in his crate for extended periods of time. I keep mine in their crates only for short periods. For example, when I go to work, I keep them in their crates, but then I come home for lunch where they are free for an hour. So the day is broken and they have time to stretch, play and relieve themselves. Keeping your dog in his crate for 8 or more hours is cruel. If you are unable to come home during the day, look into daycare centers or dog-walkers.

I hope this helps!

Answer 7

If your dog is potty trained I wouldn't worry about the crate.

Answer 8

Your dog needs to be crate trained. If you decide to leave her at home she'll wreck everything. I foster dogs and at the moment i have a small pin who gets into everything. Get your dog to like her crate by putting treats into it and leaving the door open. She will love her crate in time.God Luck!!!!

Answer 9

Crate training is a good thing for the safety of your puppy. If she gets into a lot of stuff, she can get into something that can cause her harm -- like chocolate (like my puppy did, nasty mess :) ) Crating is good, and it is something you can wean her off of when you think she is ready to not be left in it. Good Luck!

Answer 10

crates are good for puppys it makes them feel secure they have a place to go to if they feel scared.puppys generaly dont go to the bathroom where they sleep.if they are not kept in a crate at night they will go to the bathroom any place they want. it will also keep them from chewing everything up at night when you are sleeping.