I just adopted a Mini Pin from the local Humane Society. He seems to be housebroken as long as someone is in the house with him. He will come and whine when he needs to go out. When we are gone tho it is a different matter. He is between 3 and 4 years old. I would like to know if it is possible to crate train him at this age. I would also like to get him totally housebroken. I could deal with Paper Training him too. Anyone have a suggestion ? I have put him in a crate a couple times but he really goes bonkers. He hates it. He will not be left in the crate for more than a few hours at a time while I am at work. He will also not have to be crated everyday. No more than three days a week and for not more than 4 or 5 hours at a time. I hope this is not to long... If he can be trained any idea how long it might take? Thanks for any advice...
2007-02-21 14:52:53 · 8 answers · asked by Terry R 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
as a long time former breeder and one who rescues these days I can tell you that crate training a pin though sometimes difficult can actually be done at any age. I have one that is now 13 that I rescued at 10 who had never been in a crate til I got her. It took one week and she now loves being in there.
I recommend first, a piece of your clothing. Something that carries your scent on it. This serves as a security blanket, something that implies to him that you are still near by. Secondly, feeding the dog in the crate establishes that it is a place he wants to be. All mine are fed in their crates and in turn see this as a good place. I currently have 10 and all at supper time will go to their crates on their own and wait. When I am gone during the day, I get out a treat for each and them go to their crates waiting. Pins like most breeds are routine oriented. Once they get the routine down will pretty much follow it on their own. Mine tell me when it is bed time. They all as a pack want out about the same time every evening and then when they come in will wait near their crates for a treat then proceed to go in and to bed for the night. Good luck with the new addition.
2007-02-22 03:52:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you can crate train your dog. I only say this because I have a boxer, that I got at 8 months of age. It has taken 9 months for me to get her to go into her crate without me dragging her, but she will now go in on her own. Here are a few ideas (that I have read)....put the crate in a room where you spend a good portion of your time when you are home. Leave the crate open for him to go in and out of, while you are there. When he goes in, praise him like crazy, offer treats, etc. As he continues to go into the crate, close the door for brief periods of time (2-5 minutes), then let him out. Slowly add more time. I know this takes time and energy, but eventually it will pay off. I also provide a Kong with peanut butter to my dog to take away some of his anxiety. The other thing that works is finding a blanket, bedding, toys anything that he likes and put it in the crate with him. Also five hours is not too long to keep him in the crate. I have read that 6-8 hours is the limit. I do always come home for lunch to break up the time, but he should be fine if you are not able to do this. Good luck and hang in there.
2007-02-21 23:23:26 · answer #2 · answered by Kristi B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my minpin jasper is crate trained and he does well up to 7 hours although i rarely leave him in there for more than 5. He is completely housed trained which helps and can "hold it" for a long time. Minpins are fisty and unless they are entertained they can be a handful in the crate. I would try leaving him in the crate with some toys and possibly a kong toy with peanut butter while you are at home. try an hour or two. Then he will get use to being in there. He should like being in the crate because it is his cave if you will. Try leaving him in there longer until he settles down. I always leave a couple of toys for him to chew on. his crate is in front of the tv which i leave on with low volume to keep his attention.
As far as paper training you should begin with the paper in a place you can easily clean up. ( tile), The sent should attract the dog. then slowly move the paper towards the door day by day. Eventually you will make it to the door. Try putting it outside your door with the door open and let him use it. soon he will know to go outside and will tell you when he's ready to do. My minpin runs up to the door and jumps 2 feet in the air.
2007-02-21 23:18:52 · answer #3 · answered by MyNameHere 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest starting the training as soon as you can!! He must come into your house knowing you are in charge, and you wont back down.
Dont punish the dog and send him to the crate. Place a toy of chewie in the cage, let him go in there on his own.
Start off with a couple minutes in the cage. Then work up to more time in the cage. Then work up to even more time in the cage.... as long as he knows that you will always return to let him out, he will get the hint.
Once he is more used to the crate and able to be left in the cage while gone, then you can open his "free area". Like if you have the crate in the kitchen, then block off so he can only be in his crate and the kitchen.
Increase the "free area" over time, and he should look at the crate as his shelter and place to rest.
I had a minpin who I paper trained... biggest mistake I made!! She never got the hint of where to pee. She would go in the same room as the pee pad, but not even on the pad!!
Anyway.... Good luck with the new addition to the family!
2007-02-21 23:02:29 · answer #4 · answered by enyates2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 4 year old min pin and one thing i can tell you about this breed is that they may be little but they think they own everything and can do anything they want. My min pin Dj when we first got him the first night in his cage he cried the whole time and pooped all over it took about 1 week for him to be use to it. Now he likes to go in there just to sleep threw out the day. No thats not to long to keep a dog in a cage not at all I work for an animal clinic where they somtimes half to be in one for longer then 1 week and they do fine althow I dont recomend it. Put a couple pillows in the bottom of the cage and a blanket min pins love blankets and toys they are know for being king of toys. For potty training try giving them a treat when they go outside that worked for us if not try the newspaper trick if she goes in the house tell them no thats bad but there nose in it and put them outside for a little bit sooner or later they catch on.
2007-02-21 23:05:54 · answer #5 · answered by Amy D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually if you have time to: leave the crate door open, put a toy and maybe a treat in the crate and wait until he goes in on his own, once he realizes its not so bad inside the crate he will be comfortable and it will feel more like his area. He will eventually go in on his own making it easier for you to shut the door with out him going crazy.
2007-02-21 23:00:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crate training is the best alternative if possible. Check out this website http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/puppy-crate-training.html
If you are consistent the process should only take you a couple of weeks.
2007-02-21 23:43:50 · answer #7 · answered by Chris Smith 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you already have the right idea, crate training will work, even 7 or 8 hours is not too much....he will learn to enjoy his personal den, be persistent
2007-02-21 23:01:32 · answer #8 · answered by Eric J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋