Crate Training 1 Year Old Dog

[valby]

Ok I know there are probably oodles of threads on crate training and I did do some searching but haven't found too many answers (well alot of conflicting advice all over Google).

I have a 1 year old Lhasa and I am trying to crate train her at night. When I got her as a pup I made a make shift crate which meant she couldn't get out a pee during the night and this worked really well. However I stupidly let her out of it too early and she is not reliably toilet trained and exhibits some strange behaviour like random peeing on the bed (not at night mind you). So I have screened the bedroom off from her and restricted her access to the rest of the house during the day and she has access to the doggy door. This seems to be working and if it doesn't continue she will be outside all day.

So I have tried putting her in the crate at night and she panics and whines and barks. We got through one night of me ignoring her (and getting no sleep) but I am wondering whether I just keep putting her in there or whether I am making matters worse. Other info I have read says to get the dog used to the crate by putting food in there, putting the dog in for short amounts of time during the day.

I am also thinking of going back to make shift solution for a while because she might be more comfortable with that.

The crate is in the room right next to the bed (on top of my Amstaff's crate) so she is right there!! I also don't want Halston to start getting upset in his crate listening to MJ whine, because he is absolutely great in the crate.

Any ideas on the best way to proceed? One more thing is that MJ and I will start obedience school next Sat and we have been doing TOT.

Edited July 7, 2008 by valby

[missmoo]

Valby,

Firstly I would start by having the crate on the ground and letting your pup investigate it. Put food just inside the door and also around it to get her interested. Also put a fave blanket and toy in there. Basically you want to teach her that the crate is a good thing. Patience is the key, don't expect to be able to put her in it for hours the first time round and not have a reaction. Start small and work your way up. The crate needs to be in the same room as members of the household when you are crate training her so she feels less anxious. Start by putting her in the crate for less than a minute. If you can, feed her some fave treats while she is in there and praise for quiet behaviour. If she immediately starts to whine, ignore her and when she is quiet praise her and let her out. Gradually she will get used to the crate. Leave the door open for her when you are home so if she goes in the crate voluntarily even partially reward her for it. Gradually build up the time she is in there, remember small increments, don't jump from 60 secs to 10 minutes, it's too much for your dog to handle.

Until she is crate trained i would find an alternate place for her to sleep. Once she is happy to be in the crate then you can start putting her in there for sleeps.

Try feeding her a bone or even a meal in the crate, this will keep her occupied and will also help her to recognise the crate as a good thing.

Good luck!

[valby]

Thanks Missmoo!! This is the approach I have been taking. I have been bringing the crate into the lounge room where we all sit to watch tv. Last night MJ put herself in there for a while to have a snooze. Its a slow process but we will get there. Just glad to know I am on the right track.