Dog Crate Training Questions
Hi there! I have been trying to find some information online, and I have found a bunch on how to crate train a puppy, but not how to correct behaviors with an adult dog. I was hoping someone on here would know about dog training and be able to help me out. 
I just got my 2 year old Husky/Pit mix back (he was living with my ex, long story haha) and I want to correct some of the ways he has been trained. I just got a house with two of my friends who like my dog, but I don't expect them to take care of him if I am gone and they are home. I currently work 40 hours a week (five 8-hour shifts) and my dog (Peekay) is usually crated during that time (my roommates let him out sometimes). I just put his crate in the basement because it is much cooler than the rest of the house, but I know that it probably makes him feel even more isolated. He has mild separation anxiety. It is a lot better than it used to be, but he still cannot be left alone in the house without being crated. He still gets anxiety in the crate. I can tell that he hates it because he looks scared to go in and puts up a fight sometimes. Sometimes he gets in with no problem and other times he will just lay on the floor and become dead weight. I know that this is because the only time he is crated is when I go to work. He used to lay in the crate on his own sometimes but I'm not sure if he has been doing that lately since he hasn't been living with me.
My first question is how do I make him more comfortable being crated? I read online to crate him at various times during the day while I'm home to make it a more positive experience, but it's hard since his crate is in the basement and he is already so reluctant to go in it. I'm thinking about investing in another so I can keep one in my room and one in the basement. Keeping him crated upstairs is not an option until we can get air conditioning.
My second question is how big should the crate be? I don't know what size his is but he is about 70 pounds and can lay in it comfortably. I think it looks a little cramped when he stands up or wants to move around. I read online that he should just be able to stand and lay with little room to move around. I understand that dogs are "den animals" but I feel like I should get him a larger crate for when he is confined for an 8 hour shift. I was looking into buying or building something in the basement that he could walk around a little bit in and stretch out. What do you think?
Thank you all SO MUCH for reading and for your suggestions!
~ Sam
I just got my 2 year old Husky/Pit mix back (he was living with my ex, long story haha) and I want to correct some of the ways he has been trained. I just got a house with two of my friends who like my dog, but I don't expect them to take care of him if I am gone and they are home. I currently work 40 hours a week (five 8-hour shifts) and my dog (Peekay) is usually crated during that time (my roommates let him out sometimes). I just put his crate in the basement because it is much cooler than the rest of the house, but I know that it probably makes him feel even more isolated. He has mild separation anxiety. It is a lot better than it used to be, but he still cannot be left alone in the house without being crated. He still gets anxiety in the crate. I can tell that he hates it because he looks scared to go in and puts up a fight sometimes. Sometimes he gets in with no problem and other times he will just lay on the floor and become dead weight. I know that this is because the only time he is crated is when I go to work. He used to lay in the crate on his own sometimes but I'm not sure if he has been doing that lately since he hasn't been living with me.
My first question is how do I make him more comfortable being crated? I read online to crate him at various times during the day while I'm home to make it a more positive experience, but it's hard since his crate is in the basement and he is already so reluctant to go in it. I'm thinking about investing in another so I can keep one in my room and one in the basement. Keeping him crated upstairs is not an option until we can get air conditioning.
My second question is how big should the crate be? I don't know what size his is but he is about 70 pounds and can lay in it comfortably. I think it looks a little cramped when he stands up or wants to move around. I read online that he should just be able to stand and lay with little room to move around. I understand that dogs are "den animals" but I feel like I should get him a larger crate for when he is confined for an 8 hour shift. I was looking into buying or building something in the basement that he could walk around a little bit in and stretch out. What do you think?
Thank you all SO MUCH for reading and for your suggestions!
~ Sam
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There is a community group dedicated to pets on here that might be able to provide you with some guideance.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/83-pets-0 -
Oh shoot I didn't see that! Thank you both so much, sorry to post in the wrong spot.0
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Goodness, 40 hours of crating! I'm surprised he gets in there at all! Can't you at least give him the whole basement to wander about in (get anything harmful out of his reach?). Do you have any outside area he could be chained up in (on a long chain?). Can you afford at least one day of 'doggy day care' a week, or even just a local teenager to walk him after school?
I'm not a dog training expert of course, but it seems to be bordering on cruelty to leave an intelligent, social animal in a crate for 40 hours a week with no stimulation or exercise. http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSAppliedBehavior/article-applied-behavior/the-right-2013-and-wrong-2013-way-to-use-a-dog-crate - Just one link I found with a quick Google.0 -
Hi! We have 4 dogs, all crate trained. My daughter is studying to be a vet and currently works at a Dog Daycare so I've learned quiet a bit from her also.
We have one full bred Husky and a new rescue that is Husky/Lab and we do watch them carefully in the heat. Keeping him in the cool of the basement while in the crate is wise and I'd also suggest getting a the kind of water dishe that can attach to the crate (so it won't spill). It's not a lot of water but enough for him to stay hydrated without needing to potty.
We throw a treat into the crate each time we put them in as food is usually a great motivation for dogs. We have special crate toys and chews (kongs with peanut butter etc) that they don't get outside the crate.
Don't worry about him feeling isolated. They do love their dens and ours often go in while the doors are open for naps. We keep light covers over the top with one end exposed to make it cozy and if it's really hot, we'll put a small fan on them.
Keep in mind, while they're den animals they're also pack animals so spend time with him as his pack leader (walks/play) while he's out and never use it for punishment. You might also look into Dog Daycare a couple times a week as another pack experience.
Best wishes!0 -
A crate should be plenty big enough for the dog to stand and move around. Mine is around 120cm x 80 x 80, thats for a 45 pound dog.
It would be better if you could build a larger pen, or just keep the dog in one room, but if he is destructive or there are other reasons this won't work, then the crate will do.
Getting a second crate for upstairs sounds like a good idea. If the crate is in the basement, your dog will see it as punishment as he is being sent away from you. Never use the crate when the dog has been bad or he will associate it with being punished.
Put the dogs toys / food / bed etc in the crate while you are in the room, make a big fuss of him and encourage him to lie down in the crate but leave the door open.
Do the same with the basement crate, don't just shut the dog in there and leave him, spend some time down there with him and leave him a nice treat when you go out, so he associates the crate with good things, not being abandoned!!
Kongs are great for keeping dogs entertained while you are out, spread peanut butter or something round the inside, fill with biscuits, freeze with meat gravy, anything that will keep the dog interested while you are out.
My dogs love their crate, we don't use it as much now but when we did they would happily go lay in there without even being told, they knew it was like their little 'house'!0 -
EleanorJaneth, I understand your concern, but that's why I'm asking for advice. I've never believed in crating animals at all but it's the only option right now as he would get into too much being left alone. I would love to give him the whole basement but unfortunately my roommates are also using it for storage and I would worry about him getting into their things. I suppose I could build something to confine him to a certain area of the basement. I could also talk to my roommates about letting him out more or trying to get a friend to come over and spend some time with him. But believe me, he is a happy and spoiled puppy. He has a big fenced in yard (but he has found a way to get out and I haven't figured it out yet) and we also have a long chain but I'm definitely not going to leave him outside unattended while I'm gone. I walk him and play with him every day to make sure he is releasing his energy. I may be switching to midnight shifts, which might be better because he would be alone during normal "sleeping time." The doggie day care is a really good idea too, but I haven't found anything around where I live yet.
I know that his living situation is not ideal, but he is my baby and that's why I'm trying to figure out how to give him an even better life. Thanks for your suggestions.0 -
Wow so many replies!! I didn't expect that especially since it is 3a.m. here haha. Your ideas are very helpful. I think I will get a larger pen somehow for the basement and move his current crate upstairs and make him feel more comfortable in both areas. I also thought of a friend that might be able to "babysit" him every once in awhile if he's got a day off (the friend is actually his original owner and has another dog friend he could socialize with). 0
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He shouldn't be crated for 8 hours without a break. That's too long.
Either get someone to let him out after 4 hours for toilet/walk or change your routine so he isn't crated for that amount of time. This should have been considered before getting a dog.0 -
my dog is crated while i am at work. luckily for me, i started training her when she was still a puppy. now, she chooses to go lay in her crate all on her own. and even wags her tail as she walks to it. i think with her, it helped that i have her crate in my bedroom. so while she is crated when i am at work, she is still surrounded by the smell of me, so it doesn't seem like i am shutting her away. she also sleeps in her crate at night. she is finally at the point where i don't have to close the door on her crate when we sleep, she will come out and lay in other spots, but invariably she is found in her crate when i wake up.
as for getting your dog used to a crate, the suggestion to have a crate closer to you (and not out of the way in the basement) is a good one. although, i don't think having 2 crates is the best idea, because he will associate one with good stuff, and the other (in the basement) for bad stuff...meaning you leaving him. can you get a small room air conditioner or some fans to cool a room down for him? it will be way less confusing for him if you stick to only using one crate. dogs are sticklers about routine. if that is not possible, do as others suggested, spend time in the basement with him. if need be, set up a chair and read or something. get him used to the fact that the basement does not always mean being left alone. you can also put a towel or blanket in there that you have slept with, that will help with the seperation anxiety.
unfortunetly, it will all take time. if your dog was always calm and easy going, it would be a lot easier for both of you. but as he has that anxiety, best thing is to be consistent. seriously, one day, it will all click, and he will willingly go down to his crate because he knows it's HIS spot.
as for an adult dog being crated for 8hrs...that is fine. the only time you need to worry about lengthy crate times are for younger dogs/puppies. and that is simply because their bladders are smaller. just make sure he gets a walk (or 3 since he has husky in him!! lol) every day, is let out just before crating, and of course once you get home.0 -
we used crating with doggy number 3 as he came to us as a rescue older puppy and chewed anything and everything. (he is past that now and we only use crating when camping for both our current dogs)
Smaller crate (used for short periods) are for puppys so that they learn not to do their business in the house but, for a toilet trained older dog, they must have plenty of room to move about. Dogs sleep up to 20 hrs a day so the crate itself should not be a problem but I would work on getting it so that you can trust the dog alone without crating eventually, myabe taking down to the basement and leaving in a bed for short periods when you are at home and/or maybe you spending time down there, reading, working out etc while the dog is in its bed but not caged in. Not sure if your dog is still a real puppy or an adult now, but it will take time and you will need to put a lot of effort in but that time spent for a few months now will ensure that you can enjoy a long and happy life with your dog.
The one thing I would suggest that is vital is long walks every day and off lead play time too. A bored dog is a destructive and unhappy dog. To get rid of your dog's energy, a dog like that needs at least an hour a day being walked, and if possible, since they are caged up all day, make it two hours. 20 mins round the corner is not enough, nor is sending out into the yard for a while as, unless you are there playing with the dog, it is still boring for them. If yo can let the dog off lead when walking do so and make sure you take fun throw toys to increase the dog's exercise without tiring yourself too much. If you can't let the dog off the lead, make it a long walk and then come back for play in your yard, again using a ball or other toys, but you have to play too! We have a rottie x lab that is not allowed off the lead when walking but our other dog, a full lab is.
Finally, if all that exercise would be hard to fit in (though you could use it as part of your own weight loss) consider employing a dog walker or even one of your housemates , to give the dog a mid day walk.
If you are serious about keeping your dog and solving some of the dogs issues, remember it takes time and hard work but it is worth it in the end. You must, must find a way to let the dog let all its energy out and that takes a lot of work on your part.
good luck.
PS my dogs can now be left in their beds in the kitchen if we are out, though I do work from home most days and so I am aware that they tend to sleep for much of that time.0 -
He shouldn't be crated for 8 hours without a break. That's too long.
Either get someone to let him out after 4 hours for toilet/walk or change your routine so he isn't crated for that amount of time. This should have been considered before getting a dog.
8 hours sucks, but it's better than 24 hours in a 5x3 at the shelter with 3 other dogs.
Frozen Kongs are pretty good. You fill, freeze, and it's a nice sloppy treat that lasts a while. Also, you should be able to barricade a pretty good space for the guy downstairs- I'm all for crate training, but being stuck in the basement all day sounds like a lot of suck.
Maybe look around Craigslist for someone who might want to make a bit of money watching a dog during the day? I know I'd probably let a hoard of them run around my house for a pittance. We'd just lay around and furminate/zoom groom all day long. Sounds like a dream.0 -
Thanks again. jonnyman41, that makes a lot of sense about the crate sizing.
I do hope to have some kind of air conditioning soon, but I also like the idea of him being in the basement because it could be a bigger area for him to be out and once we get everything settled I plan on hanging down there a lot (we've only been moved into the house for about a week). It is probably really confusing for him right now, but in the long run I want him settled in here by learning more about what he needs. I didn't really think about two crates/confined areas confusing him, but that makes sense too. I guess the best thing I've taken from this is to get a larger space, hang out with him in that space to make it positive, and try to find others that could watch him or play with him.0 -
If I could stay at home with him all day, believe me I would. He was a rescue from a friend and he would have ended up in a shelter otherwise.
TheFunBun, maybe I should quit my job and open a dog day care haha, so many problems would be solved! 0 -
maybe I should quit my job and open a dog day care haha, so many problems would be solved!
You joke, but... why not? Think about it seriously, anyway. Could be a whole new career for you.0 -
maybe I should quit my job and open a dog day care haha, so many problems would be solved!
You joke, but... why not? Think about it seriously, anyway. Could be a whole new career for you.
My original life "plan" was to volunteer in my spare time (which I don't seem to have a lot of these days) and to open a rescue when I retire. Maybe if my career choice doesn't work out I will take that route. I've always been interested in doing something dog related, but can't handle the medical side of it and couldn't see making a living with the rescue side that I really loved. But the doggie day care is really a good idea!
I think I've made a decision to purchase/build a decent size kennel in the basement, so that it is large enough for Peekay to hang out comfortably both when I am home and not home, and to definitely hang out with him in the basement/in the kennel and have someone watch him whenever possible. Unfortunately the house is very small (large enough for him to run around but small since 3 people take up so much space with their crap) so there is no room in the rest of the upstairs living space. As soon as we got settled I wanted to make the basement my primary hang out area anyway, so I plan on being down there a lot. I let the girly girls have the living room, the basement is going to be mine and Peek's hockey den.
Thank you all so much for your input, and any more is definitely welcome.0
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