Crate training

lynnlew1 · Jul 10, 2017

So last night was our ( my) first night with crate training my new 6 week old pup. It was rough to say the least! It's been 12 years since I've trained a pup.

I stopped the water and feed at 8pm last night. He doesn't like his crate yet. Every time he fell asleep i'd put him in it yesterday. Last night I heard him wine 3 times. Would take him out to potty and then he would want to play for about 20mins each time. I would put him back in the crate when he was done but had to stay with him until he was fast asleep. Which wasn't long.

So my question is...I'm I doing this right? Although this was his first night away from his litter and mother. Any great advice is appreciated!!

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Cbrugs · Jul 10, 2017

Unfortunately I failed at crate training with Jax and pretty much with Louie (my 5 month old bulldog) as well. So I am of no help whatsoever. I do know that if they don't have to go potty and are crying, you should ignore as you will teach them it is okay to cry and they will be taken out. Frenchies love attention whether it is good or bad.

I will say that 6 weeks is a little young to be taken from the mom/litter so that may have it's own challenges.

Alice Kable · Jul 10, 2017

It sounds like you are on the right path to crate training. I have not removed water, I feel it is important for them to have access to water 24/7. Getting up with him to potty 3 times during the night is excellent for a 6 week old. I agree with [MENTION=188]Cbrugs[/MENTION] that 6 weeks is too early for a baby to be away from littermates. One of the really important things in training is being consistent. These guys are rule followers, but they have to know what the rules are.

lynnlew1 · Jul 11, 2017

Well last night didn't do to well...my husband talked me into bring him to bed with us. We were both tired. Although I KNOW better than to do this. He did well and slept all night between us. There were no accidents to my knowledge. All morning I've been putting him in his create but he hates it!! Ugh. I have to go back to work today and he must stay in the crate. He will be in the crate for about 4 hours. I'm so nervous for him. I will keep you updated. [emoji26][emoji1317]

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Cbrugs · Jul 11, 2017

I don't know about others but in my own experience, once they came into bed, the rest was history lol. Jax never went into his crate because we always took him out when he cried but he did sleep in the kitchen in an ex pen. And then after a couple of months, he came into our bed and has never left. Louie, our EB, slept in the kitchen in the ex pen and would go into his crate during the day or in the mornings. But now he is in either our bed or my son's bed so when we do put him in the crate, he now cries.

So if you really want to crate train him, no matter how hard it is, you gotta leave him in there. Being that he is so young, I am not sure how he will do in the crate for 4 hours.

CarrotTheFrenchie · Jul 11, 2017

So, I crate trained Carrot and it almost killed me. But it was worth it. I thought I was prepared for the crying, but I didn't realize it would sound like she was being strangled!! And then she would also throw herself against the crate walls. I was convinced she was going to kill herself! It helps to have a significant other who will stay strong with you. I agree with the others who suggested not taking him out of the crate while he's crying, because he will learn that crying or barking equals FREEDOM.
I have two suggestions. One-put a piece of clothing that smells like you or your hubby into the crate with your dog. Second, what we do is we bring Carrot into bed while we watch TV and once she's passed out, then we put her into her crate. that way she's already tired when she goes in. Second, we will bring her into bed in the am ,so she knows she'll get into bed eventually, but she sleeps though the night in her crate. It's so hard to crate train, but it IS WORTH IT. Especially, if, like in your situation, she will be crated during the day. Eventually you can put treats in there so she knows it's a good place. Not every dog loves their crate though. Carrot will not go into her crate unless we put her there. HANG IN THERE!!!!

Cbrugs · Jul 11, 2017

CarrotTheFrenchie said:
So, I crate trained Carrot and it almost killed me. But it was worth it. I thought I was prepared for the crying, but I didn't realize it would sound like she was being strangled!! And then she would also throw herself against the crate walls. I was convinced she was going to kill herself! It helps to have a significant other who will stay strong with you. I agree with the others who suggested not taking him out of the crate while he's crying, because he will learn that crying or barking equals FREEDOM.
I have two suggestions. One-put a piece of clothing that smells like you or your hubby into the crate with your dog. Second, what we do is we bring Carrot into bed while we watch TV and once she's passed out, then we put her into her crate. that way she's already tired when she goes in. Second, we will bring her into bed in the am ,so she knows she'll get into bed eventually, but she sleeps though the night in her crate. It's so hard to crate train, but it IS WORTH IT. Especially, if, like in your situation, she will be crated during the day. Eventually you can put treats in there so she knows it's a good place. Not every dog loves their crate though. Carrot will not go into her crate unless we put her there. HANG IN THERE!!!!

:2thumbs:

Frenchie Grrrl · Jul 11, 2017

When we first brought Gus home at 7 wks, he slept in a basket at the side of my bed at night - I really think being right there with me was the key. He usually woke up twice a night and I took him out to potty (I wouldn't wait for the whining, just took him when I felt him staring at me, lol). After I put him back in the basket, he would play for a bit and usually take about ten minutes to settle back down.

I think the fact that I was right there (I could literally reach in and pet him) really helped. I also had one of those little heartbeat sound-makers and a little stuffed animal in there for Gus to sleep with - whining or fussing was never an issue.

At 12 weeks I moved him downstairs to see how he did and see if he could make it longer without needing to go potty. He did great and is now downstairs every night. He's 15 wks now, and will eventually earn the right to sleep with my kids when he is fully house trained and asks to go out to potty consistently.

He also is fine going in the crate during the day. At first, unless he was sleeping/very sleepy, I tried to only put him in the crate when we were leaving the house, or upstairs out of sight. I would just say, "get in your crate" and plop him in there with a small treat. Now, I have him walk in himself to get the reward.

Ripley509 · Jul 12, 2017

We started crate training when we brought our 8 week old home last week and the first night was rough! She was on a crate on the floor next to our bed and cried for prob 45 min to an hour each time she went back in her crate after she woke up and went outside. The next night, I tried a tip I found while researching - raising her crate off the ground with a chair or ottoman. We put her crate on a ottoman next to the bed so she could actually see us, and I moved it close enough that I could rest my hand just outside the cage where she could sniff/lick it. This helped TREMENDOUSLY. It was like night and day. No crying now! During the day we also feed her in it to try and build a positive association (we take the bowls out after and leave it open for her to go in and out (though I will say she doesn't really go in it of her own free will during the day. Good luck!

lynnlew1 · Jul 12, 2017

Thank you to all! These are all great tips and tricks!! I was so worried he was going to hurt himself. He only peed a little on his blanket. That is to be expected. My husband got home last night and sent me this picture saying he is ok.

I will try all these tips and tricks. I want him to be crate trained. He's just so young and wants to be with us all the time. He has done pretty well with the potty training. He has had a few slips but I know this is part of the process. I am so proud of him. I think he gets it. Thank you again to all!!

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Frenchie Grrrl · Jul 12, 2017

Ripley509 said:
We started crate training when we brought our 8 week old home last week and the first night was rough! She was on a crate on the floor next to our bed and cried for prob 45 min to an hour each time she went back in her crate after she woke up and went outside. The next night, I tried a tip I found while researching - raising her crate off the ground with a chair or ottoman. We put her crate on a ottoman next to the bed so she could actually see us, and I moved it close enough that I could rest my hand just outside the cage where she could sniff/lick it. This helped TREMENDOUSLY. It was like night and day. No crying now! During the day we also feed her in it to try and build a positive association (we take the bowls out after and leave it open for her to go in and out (though I will say she doesn't really go in it of her own free will during the day. Good luck!

Good tip about raising the crate. Also, I always forget to suggest feeding in the crate. I have a friend who is bringing home a new pup in a few weeks, I need to remember those.

lynnlew1 said:
Thank you to all! These are all great tips and tricks!! I was so worried he was going to hurt himself. He only peed a little on his blanket. That is to be expected. My husband got home last night and sent me this picture saying he is ok.

I will try all these tips and tricks. I want him to be crate trained. He's just so young and wants to be with us all the time. He has done pretty well with the potty training. He has had a few slips but I know this is part of the process. I am so proud of him. I think he gets it. Thank you again to all!!

If he keeps peeing on the blanket, you may want to take it out of the crate for a few days. That might stop it.

He's a cutie!!

lynnlew1 · Jul 14, 2017

Ripley509 said:
We started crate training when we brought our 8 week old home last week and the first night was rough! She was on a crate on the floor next to our bed and cried for prob 45 min to an hour each time she went back in her crate after she woke up and went outside. The next night, I tried a tip I found while researching - raising her crate off the ground with a chair or ottoman. We put her crate on a ottoman next to the bed so she could actually see us, and I moved it close enough that I could rest my hand just outside the cage where she could sniff/lick it. This helped TREMENDOUSLY. It was like night and day. No crying now! During the day we also feed her in it to try and build a positive association (we take the bowls out after and leave it open for her to go in and out (though I will say she doesn't really go in it of her own free will during the day. Good luck!

I used this tip last night and it seemed to go well! He wined a bit and fell fast asleep until about 3am. Took him out and he peed then back in the crate. Wined a bit then back to sleep until 6am this morning! Wanted you to know!! Thank you so much!! We will continue to try this tip. [emoji1316][emoji1317]

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