Crate training?

[jrfan]

I just got my four month old lab puppy and the seller told my wife that they started crate training him. Is this something I should be doing? and what for/how do you do it?

[Bullrdr82]

My understanding of "crate training" is to train them not to "mess" in the crate. This is also a way to get them used to being in a kennel.

I would suggest crate training.

I got my lab about a month ago and she picked up kennel within two days. That was with the help of the other dog who already knew it.

I like to crate train my dogs because they spend a lot of time in the kennel while I am at work.

[CastAndBlast]

Yes, crate training is a must! As long as you do it right!!! Just like everything else, if it is done wrong, it can teach bad habits.

[Deer Tracks]

Definitely crate train.

There is lots of good information about proper crate training online.

1. Never give in to the crying and whining whatever you do.

2. It always helped my puppies to cover the crate with a blanket.

3. If they pee/poop in their crate, get a smaller size crate.

4. Very young puppies have to go to the bathroom every 2-4 hours. By 12-15 weeks they can hold it for about 6 hours.

[bowhuntermac]

If you are going to hunt them, it is pretty important as well. It makes me sick to see dogs boucing around free balling in the back of a truck. I have two friends who have lost good dogs that way and it was an easily preventable accident.

Getting them used to being in a crate or kennel makes traveling with your dog easier AND safer. During duck season, Spanky's travel crate STAYS in the back of my truck strapped down. With a drop of the tailgate and the command "KENNEL" he is up in the back of the truck sitting in his kennel and ready to travel safely to wherever it is we are going. In my opinion, you owe it to your dog to teach him how to travel safely, for hs benefit AND yours.

[prkchp]

I always put underwear on my dog, just can't stand to see a dog free balling in the back of a truck.

[Mike D]

Our Boston Terrier is crate trained and it's awesome. Most of the time she would rather be in her crate snoozing than laying around on the couch or floor. She knows when it's bedtime and she readily goes to her crate and waits for her treat. She will even bat the door open with her paw in it's not open all the way.

[ShockValue]

It is helpful for alot of different reasons. You should continue the crating.

Dogs will eventually look at the crate as it's den. They feel safe in that environment and should not (sometimes when very small) pee or poop in the crate. It is also a great way to make sure those razor sharp teeth don't get themselves into trouble.

Good luck with your pup! Pics?

[Brannon74]

yes crate train

[Rex]

Lmao!!

I always put underwear on my dog, just can't stand to see a dog free balling in the back of a truck.

I was wondering if anyone else saw that!!! Too funny!

[AgHntr10]

I always put underwear on my dog, just can't stand to see a dog free balling in the back of a truck.

lmao good one

[jpbruni]

Yes, Crate Train! Just don't ever use it as a punishment. Once they are trained, they should want to go in their crate. Diego's crate is in my office (I work out of the house) and he just wanders in and out of the crate all during the day. I trained him on the Kennel command and he just walks right in and lays down. I can leave him in there for about 8 hours when we're gone with no problem.

J.P.

[bdchorn]

Only way to go IMO

[Bill]

Absolutely. The dog naturally wants to be in a den-like area. My friend's lab got all upset when they put the crate away on him (they called him Dufus by the way), so he started taking parts off one at a time, until all that was left was the metal pan and his blanket, and the dog would still go and sleep there.

Google <crate training> and there are a bunch of web sites to read-up on it.

[Codypatt1]

Crate Training is a MUST. Since your dog will get much larger go ahead and buy an XL kennel so he can grow into it later on. While he is smaller put something inside the crate so it will reduce the size(only big enough for him to turn around) He won't mess in his den as long as you don't give him alot of free space in there.
I also use the "Kennel" command and it works great. Sometimes I would even drop a treat in the kennel while he was outside and he would find it in there later on as a surprise so this taught him his crate is a positive.
Like said earlier, if he whines don't respond to this. When he is quiet give him praise and treats.

Gluck! Its a long road but well worth it!

My lab loves going for rides in his kennel in the back of my truck! He knows he's going somewhere fun!