I had to buy a crate for my dog, any advice?

Question

I had to buy my one year old lab mix a crate yesterday because she will not stop tearing up the furniture, not matter how many new toys I get her. Can anyone please give me advice on how to properly train her in it? I feel kinda guilty leaving her in it but I've heard that its actually really good for a dog. She would only be in there until we get home from work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

A crate large enough for the dog to stand up in and stretch his legs. We keep our dog in the crate at night otherwise he barks at every little noise. He only sleeps in it too whenever he is tired he goes to his crate and sleeps, Go to your local Pet store they will give you the right advice

Answer 2

You say "only" until you get home from work. How long is that? 8-9 hours? That’s not really the point of a crate. When people say it’s good for a dog, they aren’t talking about leaving them in it all day. That borders on cruelty.

Isn't there any room in the house without soft furniture, like the kitchen? Get a baby gate and confine her in there. Buy Bitter Apple Spray and spray anything she can reach. It's super bitter, so she won't want to chew it. There's just got to be something better than a crate. A little crate time won't hurt, but all day is far too long.

jonathonspanks, you are a disgusting human being. I have never laid a hand on either of my dogs in violence and they have both turned out wonderfully. They respect me out of love, not fear. Just reading your post makes me feel sick for any animal that may come into contact with you. If you need to beat up dogs to show them who’s boss, maybe you should get some professional help with your anger issues.

Answer 3

There is nothing wrong with crate training!! I have 4 cocker spaniels and they have all been crated trained. Make sure it is the right size she should be able to stand up and turn around in it. Place it where she can still see what may be going on. Sometimes it is best to start out slow like a couples of hours at a time like during dinners or company . Give her a small treat when she goes in and use training words like "crate" or "get in ur crate" they learn that just like when u ask them if they need to go outside! Put her favorite blanket or toys in it. Night time is also a good time to crate train. Unless she sleeps with you! She might fuss some but just reassure her that it is okay. Kinda like the first night you brought her home and she cried! My dogs love their crates and have can often be found just laying in them sleeping with the door open! I think they feel "safe" in them even if I am at home.

And............you could also "gate" her in a certain room. I use my kitchen. I have 2 kid gates ( that you use to keep kids in or out of rooms purchased at wal-mart) If I am not going to be gone very long I just gate them in the kitchen they can't do much harm there and they have dog pads to lay on for comfort. Don't feel guilty about crate training her! you could actually be saving her from hurting herself or choking on something that she has chewed on!! Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Crate training is the best thing you can do for a dog even though at first you may think it is cruel...it is not. All the experts agree that it gives them a feeling of security when you are not there. They tear your house up because they are basically having an anxiety attack. But do not leave them in their crates for more than four hours at a time...that is cruel. I go home for lunch at 12:00 everyday to let them out to go potty and play for a little while...at 1:00 when it is time for me to go back to work they automatically go right back to their crates and wait for me to come home at five. Petco or Petsmart can give you advise or books on crate training and believe me both you and your pet will be happy. Do not listen to the sadist that told you to hit and yell at the poor dog. I can only pray this person does not own a pet of any sort or god forbid have children.

Answer 5

not only will crate training your dog save your furniture and belongings, it will also protect your pup! you need to get her used to it gradually, because she has had free run for a while it sounds. get the crate and open the door to start, encourage her to check it out while you are there. make sure there is comfortable bedding in there. toss a few really good treats in there so she goes in. don't close the door right away, let her get used to the crate first. give her a bone or rawhide to chew and encourage her to do it in the crate. once she seems comfortable enough, close the door to the crate while you are there. the next step is to leave for five minutes, then 10, then 20 etc. she might bark and whine at first. the key is DO NOT go to her when she does this. you don't want to teach her that whining and crying is a way to summon you and get out of the crate. only when she stops crying should you return and let her out. it seems mean to let her cry, but it is the only way to teach her.

crating is a good thing to do, but you can't expect her to hold it for 8-10 hours if that is how long your work day is. dogs don't like to soil their crate. you really need to find someone who can come and let her out at some point during the day. a nieghbor, friend, or paid dog walker.

Answer 6

Start on a day when you will be home for awhile, like a Friday. Leave crate open, treats and few indestructable toys inside - so she can investigate. Then when she seems more calm with the crate, take her on a long walk and really tire her out. Feed and crate, or feed inside crate for a quick nap while you are near (same room) and then out to potty and back into crate. Do not give in to whines and cries or give attention to any negative behavior while she's confined. She will probably want out and it can only be on your terms when she relaxed. She will get used to the routine, and the best thing you can do is really excersize her before you leave if you are going to crate while at work, or at least confine to a laundry room or bathroom or larger room to stretch for long hours. If she is destructive in the crate you will have time to monitor her behavior before actually leaving the house to make sure she's not going to destroy a toy and choke, destroy the crate and get hurt, etc.

Answer 7

Crates are not cruel or inhumane. You do, however, need to get her used to the crate before leaving her in it all day. Start by putting her in the crate in the evening. Put some chew toys in with her or something else to keep her busy, i.e. Kong. You can even leave the crate door open for awhile so she can go in and out. Make the experience pleasant for her. Do not drag her into it or slam the door on her.

Start to leave her in the crate for longer periods of time. If you can get home for lunch to let her out for awhile, I would recommend it, at least for the first week or two.

Just remember not to let her out of the crate if she is barking or whining. This is especially hard after you've been at work at day. Help the situation by staying low-key, do not talk to your dog in a high pitched voice or get all excited before you let her out. She needs to realize that she has to stay calm and quiet in the crate. Ignore the dog when you come in the house and calmly walk over and let her out of the crate if she is quiet.

Don't feel bad about keeping her in the crate, it is better than chewed up furniture! Good luck!

Answer 8

Crates aren't bad, if you don't leave the animal in there 24/7. I had the same problem with my Husky and I trained her to a crate and she is now 8 months old and doesn't chew on furniture. She also trained quicker. I wouldn't advise putting food, water or toys. they could chew that stuff and maybe choke. Treats are also a positive reinforcement, which tells her that she is doing something good. But you also need to use negative reinforcement. I wouldnt recomment hitting but you should get a water bottle and spray her and tell her no when she does something bad. I hope I was helpful

Answer 9

First of all she is a puppy and destructive and she will have to be confined when you are not supervising her play. Think of her as a 2 year old child and how much supervision they need to stay out of trouble. After she is older and you have spent time training her what NO means and she understands what is acceptable ( these are what you must teach her) then she can spend more time outside the crate with less supervision. If you have an outside fenced yard that would be the very best solution.

Answer 10

The crate is a dogs home or house all ways have a blanket in it
The dog should and does enjoy going in it.

WHEN YOU PUT YOUR DOG IN THE CRATE, SAY "CRATE and then your dogs name" AND REPEAT THAT IN TILL YOU PUT THE DOG ALL THE WAY IN. ( pick th dog up and carry him to the crate and then put his head in and give him a little push, while saying "crate")
After about 2 mounths you will just have to walk over to the crate and say the word "crate and the dogs name" a few times and your dog should go straight in.

As for him eatin the furnature put the crate in the living room ( or in the room that he chews the funatur) and leave the crate in that room and put the dog in the crate when you are not home.
this way he will get use to being in that room.
AS FOR HIM EATIN THE FURNATURE PUT THE CRATE IN THE ROOM WHERE THE FURNATURE IS. AND PUT THE DOG IN THE CRATE AND LEAVE HIM IN THERE WHEN YOUR NOT HOME.
It might talk a little longer than 2 mounths because all dogs our diffrent.

The parts that are in cap locks are the most importan
good luck

Answer 11

Make sure the crate is large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around in. Put lots of fluffy bedding in it. This is especially important for big dogs, such as yours, that are prone to hip problems. Make sure she has plenty of toys that are safe for her to play with unsupervised. Every time you put her in it give her a treat so she associates the crate with something positive. NEVER, EVER use the crate for punishment.
If crate trained properly, your dog will think of the crate as her den and will enjoy being in it. Good luck.