More on crate success

Crates are wonderful, but as with any good tool, they need to be used or modified according to the situation. Just putting a puppy into a comfortably prepared crate won't guarantee success. Here are some things that have worked for me when I have a puppy that is having a little trouble becoming acclimated to his/her new sleeping place.

- This is up to you, but I strongly recommend (and have always been successful more quickly ) if at night they are close enough to see and hear someone sleeping in the room with them.

- If you get a whiner, try blocking their direct vision of you with a box or by draping something over that side of the crate, leaving the other sides of the crate exposed so they can still hear you.

- When it’s time to get up, go directly to them, praise them and take them out to pee as soon as possible.

• Young puppies can only hold their bladders a few hours depending on age and individual tendencies. It’s like a baby, you might have to wake up in the middle of the night, give them a little snack and take them out. Then back to the crate

- Many times the puppy whines in the middle of the night because their blood sugar is down. For a healthy pup, they usually should be fed every 8 hours – consistently.

• If you avoid free-feeding and feed on a regular schedule, the puppy will most likely also quickly develop a poop reflex. The puppies will be ready to poop soon as they finish eating.
• So, it becomes an easy routine, give the pup food. Then take the pup immediately outside ( when I have multiple pups, I make it easier by feeding them out on the grass and never inside until they are potty trained). Wait till they pee and poop (patience, patience).
• Then praise them, give them a treat and take them back in to play or the crate to sleep.

- Always take the puppy in the crate when you need to drive in your car – resist the temptation to have them ride next to you until they are older and trained to sit still and not pee.

• Again, make sure they have “safe” toys in the crate and that you carry extra towels and a plastic bag in case you have to make a quick clean up of the linens
• Put the treats in the crate to get them in, but don’t add more during the trip.
• Again, it is probably better if they can see and hear you.

- Schedule is EVERYTHING until they are big enough to keep their blood sugar and other bodily processes going steadily. So, if you can keep them to as close to a feeding sleeping schedule as possible, it will pay dividends in both a healthy and calm puppy.

- If you can’t go to sleep when the puppy has to, simply put them in their crate and turn down the lights. You can work quietly or watch TV in the same room.

- If they wake up during the night NEVER let them sleep with you. If they fall asleep in your arms, transfer them into the crate, make sure little treats are in there and close the door.

- If they get up and it is not time for them to eat, take them outside ON A LEASH. Don’t let them run around.

• Once they do their business, or show that they aren’t going to do their business, repeat the process you use when you first put them to sleep.

Any other crating tips out there?