Crate Training

[Mueyinter]

Sango isn't crate trained, she will sleep just fine on the floor on her little doggie pillow in my bedroom. But I'm always afraid that she will go chew on my electrical wires that I have had her sleeping in my bed for the past few weeks. I was thinking of crate training her but im not sure what size crate to use & what brand is a good one to use. Any suggestions?

[Deegan's mom]

Originally Posted by Deegan's mom

Maybe that's what I should do too. I bought a 24"crate because I am not sure how big he is going to get. The breeder said about 5-6lbs, but the vet said maybe even 7,8 or 9 lbs. Anyway, maybe if I put a blanket in the back half he'll feel more comfortable in it. I'll give it a shot!

Thanks for the idea.

Ok, So I've blocked part of the crate off with a little box in the back of it and Deegan seems to be doing quite well. No accidents at all since I did this!
Thanks for the tip guys!

[CHLOE'S MOM530]

I tried to crate train for two weeks when Chloe was seven months old she hawled all night everynighy for two weeks straight. I finally gave up I now put a baby gate up so that she is not allowed to leave my bedroom at night. She still sleeps with me as she has since she first came home. I take her outside before bed, and soon as she gets up in the morning sometimes at 4:30 am. anyway its worth getting out of bed to save my carpet. The only problem is I am unable to get her to realize she has to go out on her own. If I don't take her out about every three hours sometimes less she will go where ever she pleases. I am wondering how to make her go to the door. As far as crate training it may work for you my dog was very spoiled, I could not get her to deal with crate training and two weeks of no sleep took its toll on my husband and I.

[AngieDoogles]

I just wanted to share a success story. My little one is sleeping in his crate right now!! I'm so excited about it. My husband and I have been getting very little sleep since we got him on Wednesday! Maybe tonight will be better. Thanks to everyone who posted tips. They were very helpful!

[cacbeary]

My two are being crate trained & I didn't even realize I was doing it. They would drop & fall asleep anywhere. My crate has an opening at the top as well. I would put them in the crate once they fell asleep to keep them from being stepped on. They started going in on their own & even play in there.

My 3 sons are in there early 20's & in & out all hours of the night & waking the babies. When they go to sleep now I carry the crate & put in on my dresser in the bedroom. Once I started doing that, they started sleeping the night. Eventually I will need a bigger crate. I originally was getting 1 pup but now have 2.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

I choose not to crate train per se although I use a crate when I need to for safety reasons to transport or contain them for some reason, but I choose a little more freedom and use a playpen for my puppies and xpens for them when they are older as well as gated areas.

I think crate training is fine if it is not abused. It is too much like a cage for me and I would never leave a dog in that small a space for longer than a couple of hours at any age. That is just me. If I had to be gone for over 8 hours a day, I would get a larger xpen so they could relieve themselves on a wee wee pad or newspapers and have room to play. I would also make sure they had company like a cat or another dog.

[cacbeary]

I agree with you. That's what I bought mine for was for transporting back & forth but it's perfect right now. I bought a gate and when I'm gone they will have the kitchen & a hallway & have the crate to lay in. I figure by the time they outgrow the crate they will be safe to have the run of the house. I'm still trying to puppyproof the house - taping all the wires, etc.