Setting Up Crate For Crate Training

[Fiona_m]

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Hi All

I have bought a 36" crate for Jasper and want to use to get him in the right swing for house training. But how do you set it up? I have been on the net and seen ideas as to no blankets (for a whippet??), one blanket and then the whole crate being full of duvet and blanket (so cosy).

Do you set up a 'bed' one end and then newspaper the other or make a mega nest so cosy he won't want to 'go' in it?

Also, at night do you shut them in or leave the door open and paper by the back door?

I am confused.....

Thanks in anticipation of some decent whippet specific advice.

Fiona

1 more day til Jasper comes....

 

[~Annie~]

I can only speak for myself but my pups have a cosy bed at one end, paper at the other, the door shut and the crate within earshot. I don't get much sleep the first night or two as pup generally protests at being incarcerated. But once pup has settled if he wakes at 4 am I know he's crying because he needs the loo and I can take him out. This achieves two things ... pups learn to ask vocally to be let out when needed and never learn that it's ok to wee in the house (not saying we never have any accidents but they are few and far between). We have had a couple of pups that would wee in the crate and go back to bed without a murmur, but that's fine in my view, and still teaches that you don't wee by the door. Should add that general protest at being crated is ignored but that I will speak to my pups to reassure them that I'm close by.

Good luck with your new addition

 

[IanGerman]

Hi Fiona

I have always done the bed at the back, newspaper at the front thing, but that's how I set up the whelping bed too. If the room is suitable I'd also recommend leaving the door open and putting newspaper behind your kitchen door (I'm assuming kitchen, but whatever)

Although I don't know how your breeder does things, if she does what I do, then your puppy will already be "paper trained" by the time you get him/her - going on the back door paper is then a natural progression for them.

But don't allow them access to the front door if you get a morning delivery

 

[Whippets Rule]

we always put bed at the front and paper at the back...only because if they poo in the crate, they tend to step in it during their exitement to greet you when you go to let them out :lol: :lol:

 

[TillynPip]

It had been so many years since I puppy trained and I don't remember my father ever having crates, that I followed what Jo and Rachel do. That is no paper in the crate at all and when Gracie first came home, I stayed up very late (2.00 am) so her last walk took her over to her first walk the following morning which husband did at about 6.30/7.00 am. I didn't use paper in the house either but this did mean staying in and putting her out for 'wees' very regularly. There were a few accidents in the day (humans fault) but she has never wet or dirtied her crate overnight. It helped that she came to us in the Spring so we had nice weather (well theoretically) and she didn't mind being put out regularly.

Presume you're picking Jasper up today so good luck and post some pics of your puppy.

PS I started Gracie off in a small puppy crate so she couldn't move around too much which means a. they don't stimulate themselves too much, hence wanting to wee and b. they can't move too far away from what they've done so they're more likely to 'hold on'.

 

[k4tie-d]

I can only speak for myself but my pups have a cosy bed at one end, paper at the other, the door shut and the crate within earshot. I don't get much sleep the first night or two as pup generally protests at being incarcerated. But once pup has settled if he wakes at 4 am I know he's crying because he needs the loo and I can take him out. This achieves two things ... pups learn to ask vocally to be let out when needed and never learn that it's ok to wee in the house (not saying we never have any accidents but they are few and far between). We have had a couple of pups that would wee in the crate and go back to bed without a murmur, but that's fine in my view, and still teaches that you don't wee by the door. Should add that general protest at being crated is ignored but that I will speak to my pups to reassure them that I'm close by.
Good luck with your new addition

this is what we did aswell :thumbsup: