How do I know what size crate to get?
Just stand the dog next to the crate if he is full grown and make sure the crate extends about 4 inches above the shoulders and four inches each side and from front and back of the dog. Big enough for him to turn around in and lay down in. If he's a puppy, you'll have to estimate his full grown size and then place a cardboard box in there to make it just comfortable for him and keep changing the size of the box as he grows. Some brand names of plastic dog crates are: Vari-Kennel, Kennel Cab and Sky Kennel.
Where is the best place to put the crate?
The busiest room in the house, wherever the family congregates.
He keeps crying when in the crate, now what?
Most dogs hate being confined in the beginning, but with a little time to realize they will not be in there forever, your dog will love the peace and safety of his crate. If he cries, just tap the crate and say "No, Quiet now!" in a firm voice. Keep repeating this and don't give in!! Puppies cannot be expected to go for long periods of time without relieving themselves, so you have to make the time confined for short periods and praise the puppy for going in the crate and give him a treat when he goes in willingly. If he doesn't, then just give him a push into the crate and then a treat and a "good boy" verbal command and shut the door. After he is quiet in the crate for a few minutes, come back and open the door and allow him to go use the bathroom spot outside of his crate or wherever you expect him to relieve himself. Make sure the exercise area is sturdy enough that he cannot knock it down.
As the puppy gets older, he will be able to "hold it" longer and by 6 months should be able to spend an entire night without having to relieve himself.
Be sure to let the puppy relieve himself before you shut him in the crate for the night. DO NOT let the puppy out when he is crying!! If you do, you have just taught the puppy he can get his way by being vocal. Always wait until the puppy is quiet before you let him out of his crate. There is an exception to that rule, and that is when you get home after the puppy has been in the crate for a while. The excitement of your return will make your puppy need to "go" so you should take him immediately to the designated "spot" and praise him exuberantly when he does his thing. Do this same thing in the morning, after he has been crated at night. Crate training the Adult dog is a little harder but patience, persistence, and a set of ear plugs should get you through this. Put his bed and toys into the crate and throw in a treat that he loves, and tell him "bedtime" or "crate time." Tell him how wonderful he is for going "in the crate." Play with him for a minute and then close the door when he is comfortable in the crate. Do this a few times and use the same command each time. Put him in there if he refuses and praise him for going to the crate...Good Boy! Keep repeating this command and getting him in the crate until he realizes he will get a reward for going in the crate and eventually you will let him out. You must be consistent. Once the dog will go in there on command, and you can leave him there for a few minutes without crying, you can increase the amount of time that he is in the crate, a little bit more each time. Always be sure he has been to the "potty" before crating. With small dogs, it's sometimes easier in the beginning to put them in the crate at eye level at night, like on your bed stand night table. |