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As some of you may know I get my new puppy next weekend! Her name is Lola and is a chocolate Labrador, and will be 8 weeks old when I bring her home. In my last post a lot of you suggested me to crate train her. Good news I have found and bought a 42" crate with a divider, now when I bring her home how do I start off with the crate training?
Thank you! :)
Hi, first congrats on the new pup! Although it is a test for the first few months, enjoy the time they're a pup as they grow so fast!
As to the crate training you want the pup to eat, drink, everything "fun" in the crate. Let him associate the crate as a "happy" place. At first introduce it to him slowly, do not shut the door at all! Give him treats in there, when you think he has accustomed to it e.g. enters it by his own. Try shutting the door for a maximum of 10 seconds slowly building the time. If he whines wait until he stops then let him out, you don't want to reward the crying in the crate - this will lead to a whole set of problems later on.
At night make sure he does his business outside, pull his water up at least 1hour before bed and feed him at least 3 hours before bed. Then put him in his crate, maybe with an item of clothing of yours or the litter so he doesnt feel so alone, he may cry as soon as his shut in there - ignore this. He will settle eventually the first few nights will be terrible. If in the night he cries. He may need a wee, try to wait till he stops whining then rush down and let him out and return, when letting him out do not speak to him, out for a wee and back in the crate. you may have to do this several times a night for the first few weeks!
This may seem long winded, but before you know it he will be house trained and an asset to your family, good luck and if you have any problems do not be afraid to ask!
I don't know about anyone else but I ALWAYS make sure the collar is off the pup when he's in his crated. Granted he never wears it unless we go somewhere and I'm not using a check cord. I just don't want to run the risk of somehow someway the collar getting stuck on something in the crate and choking the pup out.
Did you read the literature I mentioned in your previous post or get the book? Those should cover everything and if you have questions or have specific issues, the board can certainly help. It's great to have the information at your fingertips as well as a concrete plan.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lolathelab