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Crate Training for Dummies

9 replies

ADragonIs4LifeNotJustHalloween · 11/10/2009 21:26

Dill is 13 weeks.
I've not been doing this.
Please give me an idiots guide!

He has a play pen which he is used to being shut in - he is shut in whenever we are eating at the kitchen table for example - but I wouldn't say I've been rate training him properly. I now realise I was meant to be shutting him in at night [dim] so am going to start properly tomorrow.

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LittleRedCar · 12/10/2009 08:47

There's a good Dogs Trust factsheet here:

here

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ADragonIs4LifeNotJustHalloween · 12/10/2009 12:01

Fab thanks.

Should I shut him in it over night?

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LittleRedCar · 12/10/2009 12:09

Yes, I would. Not only does it help with house training, it also keeps pup safe.

Mine managed to chew through my fridge cable during 5 unsupervised minutes last week - thankfully not all the way through

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Romanarama · 12/10/2009 12:24

I'm getting one for my pup to housetrain him, keep him safe, and get him away from dcs. Have you got the book "A Perfect PUppy"? It's very good.

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minimu · 12/10/2009 13:21

Get your crate put in water and a comfy blanket. Throw in treats and your pup will go into the crate and eat the treats.

Always feed the pup in the crate and everytime he goes in there give him a treat. He will associate nice things with the treat and will grow to love it.

Eventually you can shut the door and give him treats when the door is shut he will still be happy. Take it slowly and in a few days you will have a crate loving pup!

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minimu · 12/10/2009 13:21

yes do shut him in overnight

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ADragonIs4LifeNotJustHalloween · 12/10/2009 16:36

thanks

I've got the Perfect Puppy. Unless the Not-so-prefect Dill has eaten it As he gets bigger, everything chewable is moving higher! It's like having a toddler again.

Luckily he's already happy to go in the play pen as that's where his bed has been since we bought him home and that's where his food and water are too. The children are aware that when he's in there it's his space and they are to leave him alone.

I've shut him in whenever I've gone out today and he's been fine. It helped that he was knackered from his walk this morning. Nervous about doing it overnight though. He's always confined to the kitchen, but not the pen.

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minimu · 12/10/2009 17:47

I find when I go to friends house it is habit just to put everything away in cupboards so used to doing it at home!

He sounds as if he already likes his pen so tire him out before bed put him in the pen with a cheery goodnight and then do not go into him if he makes a noise. He may fuss tonight but I doubt it and then it should be plain sailing from now on. Until he learns to get over the top of the pen!!!!

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ADragonIs4LifeNotJustHalloween · 13/10/2009 08:21

If he can get over the top of the pen he will be the biggest cocker spaniel in the world

Last night went fine. I am immune to hearing night-wimpering after more than 10 years of parenting though. Keen to see me in the morning, pen open back door open and no "accidents" to clear up (yet). I did put the cat litter tray lined with old weed on newspaper in the pen with him but even that wasn't used.