Crate training success

pawzaddict · 08-22-2009, 08:57 PM

So I train my dogs to get used to their crate by feeding them in it, showing them it is a happy place. Harvick, Wendy and Tinkerbell go right in on command and Peyton recently has done the same. Tonight as I was mixing their oatmeal and food, Glacier (my almost 4 month old puppy) went into his crate and sat down for his food. This is big success to me because he does not always look at me for appraisal signs so I was excited

He still is not quiet when put in his crate and not being fed. It breaks my heart and Peyton did the same thing for such a long time. I wait for him to quiet down then open the door but of course he starts to bark when he sees me so I stand there and don't even look at him until he gets quite then I look over at him and give him the "sit" signal to which he sometimes does right away, BUT if he starts jumping and barking again I look away, once he sits I give him the "yes" and let him out. Am I doing everything ok?

**Criosphynx** · 08-22-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawzaddict

So I train my dogs to get used to their crate by feeding them in it, showing them it is a happy place. Harvick, Wendy and Tinkerbell go right in on command and Peyton recently has done the same. Tonight as I was mixing their oatmeal and food, Glacier (my almost 4 month old puppy) went into his crate and sat down for his food. This is big success to me because he does not always look at me for appraisal signs so I was excited

He still is not quiet when put in his crate and not being fed. It breaks my heart and Peyton did the same thing for such a long time. I wait for him to quiet down then open the door but of course he starts to bark when he sees me so I stand there and don't even look at him until he gets quite then I look over at him and give him the "sit" signal to which he sometimes does right away, BUT if he starts jumping and barking again I look away, once he sits I give him the "yes" and let him out. Am I doing everything ok?

Sounds like what I would do...strangely tho, none of mine freak out wanting out. In fact I have been guilty of forgetting Emma especially in her crate because she doesn't protest. None of them protest but Emmas crate is out of sight...lol

Occasionally Tippy will cry when I leave, but its related to me leaving, not the crate.Iam actually just starting Chili on this now...we used a bed instead of a crate.

I'm glad your having success... honestly I think feeding them in it is the real key to success with it.

pawzaddict · 08-23-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Criosphynx

Sounds like what I would do...strangely tho, none of mine freak out wanting out. In fact I have been guilty of forgetting Emma especially in her crate because she doesn't protest. None of them protest but Emmas crate is out of sight...lol

Occasionally Tippy will cry when I leave, but its related to me leaving, not the crate.Iam actually just starting Chili on this now...we used a bed instead of a crate.

I'm glad your having success... honestly I think feeding them in it is the real key to success with it.

He does the same thing when I walk out of the living room and he cant follow because the baby gate is up. Its like he gets upset when he cannot be in the same room as me, or just when he being blocked from what he wants. Does that make sense? I don't know how to handle that haha other than ignore it and praise him when he quits or toss him a treat when he quits.

**Criosphynx** · 08-23-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawzaddict

He does the same thing when I walk out of the living room and he cant follow because the baby gate is up. Its like he gets upset when he cannot be in the same room as me, or just when he being blocked from what he wants. Does that make sense? I don't know how to handle that haha other than ignore it and praise him when he quits or toss him a treat when he quits.

If hes already whining, thats awesome, just ignore him....For training purposes I would not let him start...pretend like your going to leave the room and then toss a treat...take a step toss a treat...go over the gate...toss a treat...on the other side of the gate and one step...toss a treat...etc etc.

You can build up to leaving the room pretty fast.

also toss the treat AWAY from the gate...remember the training with food thread? Reward for position... eventually he will sit ten or so feet away from the gate (if thats where the treats normal land) when you go over it...I find that the further they sit from it the less reaction you will get from them...since its not right there holding them back, they tend not to fixate on it..

Or...if you can just throw a handful of kibble on the floor (everywhere) when you leave the room...it will distract most dogs...its only a bandaid tho...this worked with Chili for two months, then he decided going with me was more valueable than the food.

pawzaddict · 08-23-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Criosphynx

If hes already whining, thats awesome, just ignore him....For training purposes I would not let him start...pretend like your going to leave the room and then toss a treat...take a step toss a treat...go over the gate...toss a treat...on the other side of the gate and one step...toss a treat...etc etc.

You can build up to leaving the room pretty fast.

also toss the treat AWAY from the gate...remember the training with food thread? Reward for position... eventually he will sit ten or so feet away from the gate (if thats where the treats normal land) when you go over it...I find that the further they sit from it the less reaction you will get from them...since its not right there holding them back, they tend not to fixate on it..

Or...if you can just throw a handful of kibble on the floor (everywhere) when you leave the room...it will distract most dogs...its only a bandaid tho...this worked with Chili for two months, then he decided going with me was more valueable than the food.

Sounds good! I will try this TY