What Is Your Defintion Of Crate Trained?

[Vickie]

I answered other. I would say any dog able to be left in a crate without stress or destruction is crate trained.

[aussielover]

can i ask if your dog is in the crate behaving, would you allow your other dog/pup to approach and start licking their face? or do you teach the other dogs to leave them alone when in the crate?

My dog has slept in the same crate as another. She liked it and they curled up on each other- v cute.

I would say it depends on your other dog though- do they enjoy the attentions of the pup? Does the pup pester them a lot? Do they retreat to the crate to get some peace and quiet? Do you think there could be a serious fight or would the oolder dog just tell the puppy off?

You know your dog's personality best, so I think its something only you can really decide.

I am very happy, Mindy went for a sleepover at a friends house while I was away and slept all night in a crate without any fuss!

I am pleased becasue we don't use the crate for sleeping, only for travel and short periods of confinement during the day.

[dandybrush]

thanx aussie lover, raz is only in the crate cause he knows i have food and thats where he gets treats, and he is sitting there and willow will go over and pester him so get gets up and walks out, he is only in there as long as im playing with the food

no fight that i can see is gonna happen

willow i would say is crate trained, i can pop her in and she curls up straight away.

raz i would say isnt crate trained, he stresses and cries when in his crate for anything more than a time out

[~*Shell*~]

Zero has the opportunity to sleep where ever he likes at the moment and chooses to sleep in his crate. He goes and puts himself in there whenever he is going to sleep. I'm house sitting at the moment and have a show trolley downstairs - if he wants to sleep downstairs, he will put himself in the trolley despite having the option of sleeping on the couch.

[Starkehre]

For me, a dog is crate trained when it will go to it's crate either of it's own accord or by command, and once in there will accept being shut in.

Once enclosed inside the crate it is comfortable and confident in it's own company and being inside the crate and respectful of the confinement and boundaries. It will not foul the crate unless the owner is neglectful of the dog's need to toilet and it will not attempt to escape from the crate. It will not cry for attention or otherwise.

I would be comfortable to walk away from the crate in any environment and know the dog is at ease.

It may or may not like or love the crate, that is irrelevant to me, so long as the dog is calm and at ease. All my dogs are comfortable and appear quite happy when crated. I think this usually comes over time, but some dogs do fall in love with their crates immediately.

IMO a dog is not crate trained if you can only use a certain type of crate to contain it in or it will escape and/or damage the crate or itself.

So, being crate trained is more about the dog's calmness, acceptance and confidence rather than liking or loving it for me.

Edited May 19, 2011 by dyzney

[leopuppy04]

I think crate training is both point 1 and 2. The dog can actively seek it out, but should also see it as a safe place .

I want my dogs to see their crate as their favourite place to rest .

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

can i ask if your dog is in the crate behaving, would you allow your other dog/pup to approach and start licking their face? or do you teach the other dogs to leave them alone when in the crate?

I think I'd prefer other dogs not to approach my dog in the crate. I worry about dogs that pee on uprights ie the crate corners.

If it's another dog from the house and it's a friendly approach and the dog in the crate was not upset or distracted or excited by it, then I don't see a huge problem. But if there are going to be times when it's not going to be ok (eg at shows or Susan Garrett style crate training stage 4+) - then I would not allow.

Some dogs go in their crate specifically to get a break from puppies.

[Oscar (AmBull)]

I voted"

"Dog finds the crate a safe place and happily goes into it when requested, but does not seek it out, happy once in the crate"

I think this definition fits with a dog being crate trained, while I voted that way Oscar does frequently go and seek his crate when he wants, however I do not think that element is necessary to consider your dog crate trained. Oscar still prefers the couch to sleep on at night, however does sleep in his crate during the day. He is more than happy to settle in his crate for long periods of time and will often go in their to seek his own space.

[PAX]

For me, crate trained is Susn Garrett style,

Am sure all of my dogs aren't at the SG level, but they happily stay in their crates, they know and choose their own crate, will sleep/trial in them without complaint.

They dont all drive into the crates while traiing like SG crate trained dogs should, but that is my fault not the dogs.