Puppy Basics 103
Crate or Kennel Training - A value to you & your dog!
What is the benefit of crate training your dog?
Crate training allows you to teach your puppy/dog that they have a safe place to rest. Many adult dogs willingly choose to spend time napping in their crate and are comfortable sleeping in their crate at night. It is also helpful for them to have a safe place to be while they are alone at home. Otherwise they may get into mischief or cause trouble while you are gone. This value/training can also translate to vet, grooming, or boarding visits where they will likely spend time in a kennel. It is also safer for your pet to be comfortable riding in a crate or kennel while riding in a car. If something were to happen, they are more protected and less of a hazard to you while driving. This is also useful in emergency situations such as natural disasters or other unexpected circumstances.
How do you help a dog feel comfortable in a crate or kennel?
The main priority here is we want to build VALUE for the crate and help the puppy/dog see that it is a fun and safe place. Sometimes the Miniature American Shepherd / Miniature Australian Shepherd breed can be sooo attached to their people that they may struggle with some separation anxiety. Starting crate training when young is VERY important.
While your pup is with me, they are exposed to crates. When their play pen is expanded to full size, it is lined with a few 24" crates. I include beds in the crates to encourage the puppies to willingly check them out and choose to nap in them or sleep in them at night. Once the puppies are being fed separately I also feed them in the crates twice a day. This helps build value for the crate. We will also have some short sessions of enrichment with high value goodies to hang out in the crate.
Once your puppy goes home with you, you can continue to utilize these techniques.
Would you like a safe play area for puppy?
If you want a safe play for the pup to play while you cannot supervise, an exercise pen is really handy. I'd recommend including a crate inside the pen. Just be mindful that the exercise pen should be fairly tall. This breed can be pretty smart and may climb on the crate to jump out of the X-pen. Once they figure it out, they try again. Haha! But this allows the puppy to make the choice to hang out in the crate on their own.
If you want a safe play for the pup to play while you cannot supervise, an exercise pen is really handy. I'd recommend including a crate inside the pen. Just be mindful that the exercise pen should be fairly tall. This breed can be pretty smart and may climb on the crate to jump out of the X-pen. Once they figure it out, they try again. Haha! But this allows the puppy to make the choice to hang out in the crate on their own.
Here is a fun way to build value for the crate:
My next recommendation would be to engage in building value for the crate through crate games. I would recommend short sessions, like 5-10 minutes once to twice a day if possible. You can play these games with part of their food ration for that day. If they are struggling with the crate, you can increase this reward to a higher value treat mixed with some food to keep them more engaged.
Suzanne Garrett is a great resource for games you can play with your puppy. She offers a course here for dog owners. You can pay $20 for a 30 day access but I would recommend $30 for a full year!
https://get.crategames.com/
My next recommendation would be to engage in building value for the crate through crate games. I would recommend short sessions, like 5-10 minutes once to twice a day if possible. You can play these games with part of their food ration for that day. If they are struggling with the crate, you can increase this reward to a higher value treat mixed with some food to keep them more engaged.
Suzanne Garrett is a great resource for games you can play with your puppy. She offers a course here for dog owners. You can pay $20 for a 30 day access but I would recommend $30 for a full year!
https://get.crategames.com/
While you play crate games, you can start building independence.
My next recommendation is to close your puppy in their crate for short periods of time WHILE you are in the room.
During these sessions, you should offer a high value object like a KONG, TOPPL, or FREEZBONE that is filled with a yummy treat and FROZEN. This helps build value for the crate while also not associating crate time with you leaving them right away.
Once they are done with their enrichment item or you want a different way to reward them, you can calmly drop a piece of food into the crate if they are quiet or relaxed. You don’t want to intentionally excite them but reward them for good choices by staying calm and dropping food.
Gradually increase the amount of time they spend in the crate. Start with the duration of the treat. Then add 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes as so on as they are learning. Often times a puppy will start to vocalize if they realize they cannot get out. I will let a puppy "Cry it out" for 5-10 minutes to see if they settle down. Many times they will if they know you are close by. If they do not, try to open the door if there is a break between crying.
As you are able to increase time in the crate with success, you can start walking out of sight. When you come back into view do NOT reward or talk to your puppy unless they are CALM.
We don't want to reward barking in the crate and a dog can perceive attention from us, even if scolding, as a reward. If we show them attention and let them out while they are barking/crying, this may reinforce the behavior. I try to stay calm and quiet if a puppy is upset. I try not to talk to them. Often it makes them cry more.
My next recommendation is to close your puppy in their crate for short periods of time WHILE you are in the room.
During these sessions, you should offer a high value object like a KONG, TOPPL, or FREEZBONE that is filled with a yummy treat and FROZEN. This helps build value for the crate while also not associating crate time with you leaving them right away.
Once they are done with their enrichment item or you want a different way to reward them, you can calmly drop a piece of food into the crate if they are quiet or relaxed. You don’t want to intentionally excite them but reward them for good choices by staying calm and dropping food.
Gradually increase the amount of time they spend in the crate. Start with the duration of the treat. Then add 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes as so on as they are learning. Often times a puppy will start to vocalize if they realize they cannot get out. I will let a puppy "Cry it out" for 5-10 minutes to see if they settle down. Many times they will if they know you are close by. If they do not, try to open the door if there is a break between crying.
As you are able to increase time in the crate with success, you can start walking out of sight. When you come back into view do NOT reward or talk to your puppy unless they are CALM.
We don't want to reward barking in the crate and a dog can perceive attention from us, even if scolding, as a reward. If we show them attention and let them out while they are barking/crying, this may reinforce the behavior. I try to stay calm and quiet if a puppy is upset. I try not to talk to them. Often it makes them cry more.
What if your puppy just won't settle down?
Now, if they are struggling and really having a hard time settling down after 10-15 minutes I will let them out and try another time. It is possible they may need to potty so a break outside is good to troubleshoot. It is also helpful to let them have some time in the crate AFTER they have had a lot of time to play, train with you, or explore novelty. If they are tired, they are more likely to relax in the crate. Next time you may want to try a shorter duration for crate time or play crate games more often with higher value treats.
What if you need to leave the house soon after your puppy comes home?
Life goes on and you have things to do while you are still training your new puppy. There will be situations where you may need to leave the house for a longer period of time. You can utilize a play pen during those times. However, you can still try putting your pup in their crate with an enrichment item if it's not an excessive amount of time. They will likely cry a few times and finally settle down. A lot of crying may be more difficult with apartment homes.
I recommend purchasing a video monitor with 2 way audio so you can check in with them while gone. I have liked and use the brand "Wyze" but there are many brands out there.
They may also have an accident while you are gone which is an inevitable part of crate training and takes time. But it is best to give them the opportunity to go outside before crate time.
It is especially important to take your puppy outside to potty if they took a nap in the crate and then wake up.
Now, if they are struggling and really having a hard time settling down after 10-15 minutes I will let them out and try another time. It is possible they may need to potty so a break outside is good to troubleshoot. It is also helpful to let them have some time in the crate AFTER they have had a lot of time to play, train with you, or explore novelty. If they are tired, they are more likely to relax in the crate. Next time you may want to try a shorter duration for crate time or play crate games more often with higher value treats.
What if you need to leave the house soon after your puppy comes home?
Life goes on and you have things to do while you are still training your new puppy. There will be situations where you may need to leave the house for a longer period of time. You can utilize a play pen during those times. However, you can still try putting your pup in their crate with an enrichment item if it's not an excessive amount of time. They will likely cry a few times and finally settle down. A lot of crying may be more difficult with apartment homes.
I recommend purchasing a video monitor with 2 way audio so you can check in with them while gone. I have liked and use the brand "Wyze" but there are many brands out there.
They may also have an accident while you are gone which is an inevitable part of crate training and takes time. But it is best to give them the opportunity to go outside before crate time.
It is especially important to take your puppy outside to potty if they took a nap in the crate and then wake up.
Here are a few other tricks that can help a dog feel more comfortable.
Many dogs prefer to be crated in an area during the day where most traffic is such as the kitchen and living room. An isolated bedroom is also an option but may take more time for the dog to feel comfortable. It's not a bad idea to have a crate set up in a common room for during the day and then a crate set-up in your room or where they will be sleeping. Then you do not have to move a crate back and forth.
Other dogs appreciate having some "white noise". This may be a calming music station, turning the TV on, turning a fan on, etc.
Some dogs feel more comfortable if their crate is covered. You can cover the crate with a dark material but be mindful a puppy may try to chew the fabric. There are "crate covers" on Amazon specific to your crate size. I use them at shows and it helps many dogs settle easier.
What does crate training look like at night?
I personally choose to crate train my dogs in my room. Not everyone likes that. But I don’t mind as they are more comfortable and I can see what they are doing.
Before bedtime it is helpful to play with your pup and have a short training session. The more tired your pup is, the easier they may fall asleep. It it also super important to give your pup some time to use the bathroom. It helps not to feed or offer water about 1 hour – 30 minutes prior to bed time.
When going to bed you may want to consider a blanket or toy that has familiar smells wether it is the breeder’s, siblings, or your own smell. A “Snuffle Puppy” can help some pups feel more comfortable. With some young dogs I have actually set the crate next to my bed and let the pup lay next to my hand in the crate. Kind of silly but it has helped soothe several pups and helped them fall asleep.
If they wake up and start crying, you can choose to let them “cry it out” and see if they will go back to sleep. However, if they seem restless and moving around a lot, they may need to go potty. Expect a young puppy to need a potty break 1-2 times through night. Then decrease to once a night. Then early in the morning. Then eventually they will be able to hold it longer.
Many dogs prefer to be crated in an area during the day where most traffic is such as the kitchen and living room. An isolated bedroom is also an option but may take more time for the dog to feel comfortable. It's not a bad idea to have a crate set up in a common room for during the day and then a crate set-up in your room or where they will be sleeping. Then you do not have to move a crate back and forth.
Other dogs appreciate having some "white noise". This may be a calming music station, turning the TV on, turning a fan on, etc.
Some dogs feel more comfortable if their crate is covered. You can cover the crate with a dark material but be mindful a puppy may try to chew the fabric. There are "crate covers" on Amazon specific to your crate size. I use them at shows and it helps many dogs settle easier.
What does crate training look like at night?
I personally choose to crate train my dogs in my room. Not everyone likes that. But I don’t mind as they are more comfortable and I can see what they are doing.
Before bedtime it is helpful to play with your pup and have a short training session. The more tired your pup is, the easier they may fall asleep. It it also super important to give your pup some time to use the bathroom. It helps not to feed or offer water about 1 hour – 30 minutes prior to bed time.
When going to bed you may want to consider a blanket or toy that has familiar smells wether it is the breeder’s, siblings, or your own smell. A “Snuffle Puppy” can help some pups feel more comfortable. With some young dogs I have actually set the crate next to my bed and let the pup lay next to my hand in the crate. Kind of silly but it has helped soothe several pups and helped them fall asleep.
If they wake up and start crying, you can choose to let them “cry it out” and see if they will go back to sleep. However, if they seem restless and moving around a lot, they may need to go potty. Expect a young puppy to need a potty break 1-2 times through night. Then decrease to once a night. Then early in the morning. Then eventually they will be able to hold it longer.
What can you fill a Kong with?
PLEASE be mindful that you can only leave very safe items in the crate unattended. I really like Kong Extremes (the black rubber) for leaving unattended and do not worry about them chewing it up in pieces. Buffalo horns are also a good option if not too small to be a choking hazard.
For Kongs, Toppls, Freezbones and other enrichment feeders, you can fill them with a variety of treats. I recommend having a few of these on hand to prepare and have ready in the freezer. Peanut butter is often a high value option. I also like mixing yogurt with peanut butter for some added probiotics and decreasing the amount of peanut butter they get if they are getting enrichment items often. You can make a mash of meats, fruits, and vegetables that are safe for dogs and freeze that as well. Shredded chicken, ground beef, carrots, banana, strawberry, watermelon, etc, are fun things to add but not necessary.
Raw meaty bones can also be a high value item when supervised. It is important to make sure there are not small boney pieces they can choke on and that they cannot get their jaw stuck inside a hole like a soup bone. My preference is a femur or other long bone sliced down the middle to expose the marrow. A butcher shop may offer this for you.
Feeding in the crate is highly recommended!
When your pup is older and you have more food to feed than you use for daily training, it is a great idea to feed the remaining food in their crate. You can even use a different enrichment item like a snuffle mat and remove once done. My dogs rush to their crates when it’s time to eat!
Hopefully these tips help with crate training and you can teach your new best friend that they like their crate and it is a safe place for them to be. J It is very valuable for you and for them!
PLEASE be mindful that you can only leave very safe items in the crate unattended. I really like Kong Extremes (the black rubber) for leaving unattended and do not worry about them chewing it up in pieces. Buffalo horns are also a good option if not too small to be a choking hazard.
For Kongs, Toppls, Freezbones and other enrichment feeders, you can fill them with a variety of treats. I recommend having a few of these on hand to prepare and have ready in the freezer. Peanut butter is often a high value option. I also like mixing yogurt with peanut butter for some added probiotics and decreasing the amount of peanut butter they get if they are getting enrichment items often. You can make a mash of meats, fruits, and vegetables that are safe for dogs and freeze that as well. Shredded chicken, ground beef, carrots, banana, strawberry, watermelon, etc, are fun things to add but not necessary.
Raw meaty bones can also be a high value item when supervised. It is important to make sure there are not small boney pieces they can choke on and that they cannot get their jaw stuck inside a hole like a soup bone. My preference is a femur or other long bone sliced down the middle to expose the marrow. A butcher shop may offer this for you.
Feeding in the crate is highly recommended!
When your pup is older and you have more food to feed than you use for daily training, it is a great idea to feed the remaining food in their crate. You can even use a different enrichment item like a snuffle mat and remove once done. My dogs rush to their crates when it’s time to eat!
Hopefully these tips help with crate training and you can teach your new best friend that they like their crate and it is a safe place for them to be. J It is very valuable for you and for them!
If you are new to PreciousGem Miniature American Shepherds, feel free to check out our Puppy Page for availability and litter plans!
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801-834-4464 (text preferred)
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801-834-4464 (text preferred)