Quote:
Originally Posted by livingdustmops  Good question...Is the family doing things while she is suppose to be in her crate? Do you have an Xpen? |
Agreed.
Before I got my Sophie I read over 20 training books. So I thought I would be pretty well prepared but I have to keep re-renting those books from the library to have on hand cuz its important to refresh. Anyways I had to refresh on crate training allot. Sophie absolutely loves her crate now.
What I did is when I brought her home I tossed a couple of the toys she liked inside at first she would go just to the door but not inside. Then she started going inside. then I would give her a kong in there (she doesnt quite get kongs yet but I havent tried to stuff them too much as to not interfere with her housebreaking) anyways then she started liking the crate. I fed her the first several days right by her crate. And then every time. And I mean every time she would get sleepy I would put her in the crate and then shut the door. Now we leave the door on the crate open and when she's tired or just wants me or my brother to get out of her face haha!
=p she goes inside her crate. And I'll shut the door.
So give that a try also its important to do it when she's sleepy and when She's awake I would recommend using a pen with toys and a pee pad or litter box and a sleeping area in it. She will bark and cry but you will notice that in the play pen she will shut up relatively quickly because theres stuff to do in there. So just try and associate the crate with good things toss treats inside and praise her when she goes in. Also to help further set that "Crate=Good" you might want to get a clicker. Clicker Training helps dogs understand things so much faster I got mine for $1.99 at PetCo.
Hope that helps.
If you need anymore tips about this just let me know.
good luck =D