man this crate thing has ups and downs

[hounddogdaddy]

my dog he gets in crate somedays alright other days he acts like crazy making crate move is this normal and is there anything i need to do?

[imported_Kat]

you didn't state what age your dog is. A younger pup will adapt easier to a crate than an older dog but with an older dog the same rules apply. Leave the crate open for him to explore and keep it in one place. Let your dog go in and out as he pleases and when he is in it praise him. Gradually get to the point where you close the door and treat him. Open the cage again but don't make a big fuss over the scenario. Its just a matter of him getting acclimitised to it, but with patience on your behalf he will get the idea. Good luck. :fadein:

[hounddogdaddy]

oh sorry 10 weeks

[DogPaddle]

See the sticky on training in the Training section. Crate training takes time and with some dogs, tiny little steps. Not all dogs respond to it but I would say most do and it makes housetraining a breeze and provides some nice safety. My usual suggestions for dogs with problems with crates are feed and water you pup in there, toss toys for retrieval in there, play games with the crate, start crating for short periods with you present, never punish by crating and PUPPIES EAT CRATE PADS. Good luck.

[CKMILK]

so puppies eat cate pads so i shouldnt get one? what about a towle in there? she is only going to be in there at night and for about 20 - 30 min in the day. husband leaves for 2nd when i get home and about a 20-30 min space between. i am trying to get list made and all the things i need now befor we get her. also what is the best way to block off a cage. i think the one we have now is 3 foot long 2 foot wide and 2 foot tall is this too big for a small beagle mix puppy? i just dont want her to go potty in the cage. also i should leave water in the cage or not to leave water. food probubly wont be left in there because of the short time she will be in there during the day.

[sarahmyjoy]

I wouldnt put a towle or pad in there till you know forsure that your pup is trained. I put one in with Sarah and she tended to potty on it instead of waiting. It took her till she was 1 1/2 yr old till I could put a blanket in there :oops:

[DogPaddle]

I've never known a puppy that didn't try to eat its crate pad :lol:
I used really old towels - ones I didn't want back but it all depends on your dog. As for the size of the crate - the crate should be big enough for your dog to sit, stand, turn around or lie down in - no bigger. If you need to section it off there are partitions you can buy for SOME crates other people use a custom cute peice of plywood fastened to the crate sides - removable later or wire mesh at least one gage up from chicken wire, increse the gage for stronger chewers - you do not want the vet bill if your dog eats that. Anyway check that sticky in the training section and any questions just ask.

[DogPaddle]

I've never known a puppy that didn't try to eat its crate pad :lol:
I used really old towels - ones I didn't want back but it all depends on your dog. As for the size of the crate - the crate should be big enough for your dog to sit, stand, turn around or lie down in - no bigger. If you need to section it off there are partitions you can buy for SOME crates other people use a custom cute peice of plywood fastened to the crate sides - removable later or wire mesh at least one gage up from chicken wire, increse the gage for stronger chewers - you do not want the vet bill if your dog eats that. Anyway check that sticky in the training section and any questions just ask.