Crates & Crate Training
Used properly, a crate can be an invaluable and useful training tool. The main purpose of using a crate is to provide security, safety and protection for your puppy. By providing a crate for your puppy, you can fulfill his natural need for a den. It is also a useful tool to aid house training as pups don't like to soil the bed area. A crate can also help in reducing separation anxiety and to keep puppy safe from dangers in the home and the home safe from puppy chewing!
Many people think that a crate looks like a “doggy jail”, but you will find, that when introduced properly, your puppy will love having his own bedroom where he can go to chill out, sleep, be safe and secure. This is why you should NEVER use the crate as a form of punishment - you will only turn your dog against it, cause him to fear it and be reluctant to go into it. Going into his crate should only be associated with pleasant, happy experiences.
Size of crate
For a Mini a 24 inch crate (on the widest side) is the minimum size to choose, a larger one would be better for the adult dog as the crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up without banging his head on the roof; be able to lie out at full stretch and to turn round in comfortably. If you buy a crate for the size your puppy will be fully grown, the crate can be sectioned off (you can now buy crates that can be split into 2 sections). You don't want the crate area to be large enough for your puppy to go to the toilet in one end and go and sleep in the other!
Type of crate
With there being a choice of metal, plastic or fabric. I'd suggest using the wire crates as they allow good airflow for the summer and can be covered to keep it cozy in winter and is easy to clean and fold flat when not in use. Plastic crates don't allow air to flow so well, don't fold flat but do clean easily. Fabric crates can hamster ball if not tethered down, they can also be difficult to clean and are easily chewed, so are best used for traveling with an already crate trained dog.
Introducing your puppy to a crate
Initially, the best place to site the new crate would be somewhere in the house where the dog can see the comings and goings of the household. The kitchen or family room can be a good starting point - that way your puppy won't feel lonely or isolated when he's in his crate.
Prepare the crate for its new occupant. It should have soft, cozy bedding in it and perhaps a blanket draped over the back of it, to keep out draughts and afford some privacy and enhance the security that the crate will bring. If your puppy chews any of the bedding you should remove it so that he cant swallow any of the bits. If he pees on any of the bedding, you should remove it and wash it as soon as possible to discourage him thinking that it's the place to pee. You can also add some favourite toys. Ensure the toys are safe though - large enough not to be swallowed and remove any toys that are starting to disintegrate. It is a good idea to swop around the toys, so pup keeps thinking he is getting new toys to keep him interested.
So that your puppy associates his crate with a pleasant experience, you can follow these steps for introducing him to it.
Start by dropping some treats or kibbles inside the crate. While investigating his new crate, the pup will discover edible treasures, thereby reinforcing his positive associations with the crate. You may also feed him in the crate to create the same effect. If he hesitates, it often works to feed him in front of the crate, then right inside the doorway and then, finally, in the back of the crate. Don't ever force your puppy into the crate; this will again only make it a negative thing to him. Whenever your puppy enters the crate, give him lots of praise. Also use a word for him to associate with his crate, e.g. Bed.
Once your puppy is happy in the crate and perhaps eating his meal in there, you can close the door while he is eating and when he is finished, open the door. You can lengthen the time you have the door closed after he finishes his meal, just to get him used to being in the crate for longer periods of time. Try to time it though that you are opening the door and letting him out before he starts to whine or cry to get out. If he does start to whine or cry, do not open the door to let him out or he will learn to associate whining and crying with being released from the crate. Wait for his crying to subside before you let him out.
Once your puppy is happy in his crate, you can now ask him to go into his crate and close him in, gradually building up the length of time he is closed in for. You should do this while you are at home so that he knows you are still there. Encourage him into his crate with your chosen command and give him a treat once he is inside. Then sit quietly near the crate for five to ten minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time, then let him out of the dog crate. Repeat this process several times a day. With each repetition, gradually increase the length of time you leave him in the dog crate and the length of time you're out of his sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in the dog crate for about 30 minutes with you out of sight the majority of the time, you can begin leaving him crated when you're gone for short time periods. This may take several days.
If you're crating your dog before you go out, call him to his crate with the usual command and give him a treat. You can also leave some safe toys with him or a Kong stuffed with something tasty. Don't make your departure an issue. Briefly praise him, give him his treat for entering his crate and his chosen toy and then leave quietly. When you return, don't get your dog over excited about your return. Keep your arrival home as low key as your departure. Calmly and quietly let him out of his crate when he is nice and calm, if he is overexcited at your return; wait for him to calm down before you let him out of his crate.
Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you're home so he doesn't associate crating with being left alone.
When using the crate for your puppy to sleep in overnight, it is helpful to place the crate either in your bedroom or near hand in the beginning. This is so that if your puppy needs to go out to the toilet during the night, you can hear him and attend to him. Once he is happily sleeping the night in his crate you can begin to move it to your chosen position.
Accidents in the Crate
Do not ever punish your puppy or dog for having an accident in his crate. Simply remove him from the crate, remove his bedding, clean the crate out with an appropriate cleaning solution (do not use ammonia based cleaning products or bleach) and replace his bedding with fresh. Do not make any kind of issue of any mishaps.
Additional Information
Always remove your puppy or dogs collar before crating him. It is very easy for a collar to get caught in the bars of a crate.
Do not allow children to go into or harass your puppy while he is in his crate. His crate is his haven for peace and tranquility and that should be respected.
Do not crate your puppy or dog for extremely long periods of time. The following is a guideline:
9-10 Weeks Aleppo. 30-60 minutes
11-14 Weeks Approx. 1-2 hours
15-16 Weeks Approx. 2-3 hours
17 + Weeks Approx. 3 hours maximum
If you need to leave your dog any longer then 4 hours, alternative arrangements should be made e.g. with a friend or neighbour to look after the dog or call in a pet sitter or dog walker.
Used properly, a crate can be an invaluable and useful training tool. The main purpose of using a crate is to provide security, safety and protection for your puppy. By providing a crate for your puppy, you can fulfill his natural need for a den. It is also a useful tool to aid house training as pups don't like to soil the bed area. A crate can also help in reducing separation anxiety and to keep puppy safe from dangers in the home and the home safe from puppy chewing!
Many people think that a crate looks like a “doggy jail”, but you will find, that when introduced properly, your puppy will love having his own bedroom where he can go to chill out, sleep, be safe and secure. This is why you should NEVER use the crate as a form of punishment - you will only turn your dog against it, cause him to fear it and be reluctant to go into it. Going into his crate should only be associated with pleasant, happy experiences.
Size of crate
For a Mini a 24 inch crate (on the widest side) is the minimum size to choose, a larger one would be better for the adult dog as the crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up without banging his head on the roof; be able to lie out at full stretch and to turn round in comfortably. If you buy a crate for the size your puppy will be fully grown, the crate can be sectioned off (you can now buy crates that can be split into 2 sections). You don't want the crate area to be large enough for your puppy to go to the toilet in one end and go and sleep in the other!
Type of crate
With there being a choice of metal, plastic or fabric. I'd suggest using the wire crates as they allow good airflow for the summer and can be covered to keep it cozy in winter and is easy to clean and fold flat when not in use. Plastic crates don't allow air to flow so well, don't fold flat but do clean easily. Fabric crates can hamster ball if not tethered down, they can also be difficult to clean and are easily chewed, so are best used for traveling with an already crate trained dog.
Introducing your puppy to a crate
Initially, the best place to site the new crate would be somewhere in the house where the dog can see the comings and goings of the household. The kitchen or family room can be a good starting point - that way your puppy won't feel lonely or isolated when he's in his crate.
Prepare the crate for its new occupant. It should have soft, cozy bedding in it and perhaps a blanket draped over the back of it, to keep out draughts and afford some privacy and enhance the security that the crate will bring. If your puppy chews any of the bedding you should remove it so that he cant swallow any of the bits. If he pees on any of the bedding, you should remove it and wash it as soon as possible to discourage him thinking that it's the place to pee. You can also add some favourite toys. Ensure the toys are safe though - large enough not to be swallowed and remove any toys that are starting to disintegrate. It is a good idea to swop around the toys, so pup keeps thinking he is getting new toys to keep him interested.
So that your puppy associates his crate with a pleasant experience, you can follow these steps for introducing him to it.
Start by dropping some treats or kibbles inside the crate. While investigating his new crate, the pup will discover edible treasures, thereby reinforcing his positive associations with the crate. You may also feed him in the crate to create the same effect. If he hesitates, it often works to feed him in front of the crate, then right inside the doorway and then, finally, in the back of the crate. Don't ever force your puppy into the crate; this will again only make it a negative thing to him. Whenever your puppy enters the crate, give him lots of praise. Also use a word for him to associate with his crate, e.g. Bed.
Once your puppy is happy in the crate and perhaps eating his meal in there, you can close the door while he is eating and when he is finished, open the door. You can lengthen the time you have the door closed after he finishes his meal, just to get him used to being in the crate for longer periods of time. Try to time it though that you are opening the door and letting him out before he starts to whine or cry to get out. If he does start to whine or cry, do not open the door to let him out or he will learn to associate whining and crying with being released from the crate. Wait for his crying to subside before you let him out.
Once your puppy is happy in his crate, you can now ask him to go into his crate and close him in, gradually building up the length of time he is closed in for. You should do this while you are at home so that he knows you are still there. Encourage him into his crate with your chosen command and give him a treat once he is inside. Then sit quietly near the crate for five to ten minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time, then let him out of the dog crate. Repeat this process several times a day. With each repetition, gradually increase the length of time you leave him in the dog crate and the length of time you're out of his sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in the dog crate for about 30 minutes with you out of sight the majority of the time, you can begin leaving him crated when you're gone for short time periods. This may take several days.
If you're crating your dog before you go out, call him to his crate with the usual command and give him a treat. You can also leave some safe toys with him or a Kong stuffed with something tasty. Don't make your departure an issue. Briefly praise him, give him his treat for entering his crate and his chosen toy and then leave quietly. When you return, don't get your dog over excited about your return. Keep your arrival home as low key as your departure. Calmly and quietly let him out of his crate when he is nice and calm, if he is overexcited at your return; wait for him to calm down before you let him out of his crate.
Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you're home so he doesn't associate crating with being left alone.
When using the crate for your puppy to sleep in overnight, it is helpful to place the crate either in your bedroom or near hand in the beginning. This is so that if your puppy needs to go out to the toilet during the night, you can hear him and attend to him. Once he is happily sleeping the night in his crate you can begin to move it to your chosen position.
Accidents in the Crate
Do not ever punish your puppy or dog for having an accident in his crate. Simply remove him from the crate, remove his bedding, clean the crate out with an appropriate cleaning solution (do not use ammonia based cleaning products or bleach) and replace his bedding with fresh. Do not make any kind of issue of any mishaps.
Additional Information
Always remove your puppy or dogs collar before crating him. It is very easy for a collar to get caught in the bars of a crate.
Do not allow children to go into or harass your puppy while he is in his crate. His crate is his haven for peace and tranquility and that should be respected.
Do not crate your puppy or dog for extremely long periods of time. The following is a guideline:
9-10 Weeks Aleppo. 30-60 minutes
11-14 Weeks Approx. 1-2 hours
15-16 Weeks Approx. 2-3 hours
17 + Weeks Approx. 3 hours maximum
If you need to leave your dog any longer then 4 hours, alternative arrangements should be made e.g. with a friend or neighbour to look after the dog or call in a pet sitter or dog walker.
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Tialexi Miniature Schnauzer
After Care
