I am going to attempt to crate train my 3 year old rescue Viktor.

GSKnight · 10-26-2011, 08:59 AM

I am going to attempt to crate train my 3 year old rescue Viktor.

He has been with me going on 12 days. Spends my work days at a kennel for day care, but I take him everywhere with me when he is not there. I need to be able to trust him at home by himself. So, I ordered a nice large crate and am going to begin working with him using it.

My thoughts were to set it in my bedroom where he sleeps and put his blanket in there with the doors open. Not force him inside or anything. Just let him get used to it being there. Then, slowly start to encourage him to lay inside, still with the doors still open, if he is not otherwise doing it. Then, start closing the doors, while being home and see how he reacts. Then, start leaving, for a short time, getting progressively longer. I do not want to lock him up in there the entire time I am at work, but I want to be able to use it when the need arises.

Any thoughts?

Wild Wolf · 10-26-2011, 09:10 AM

That sounds like a steady plan. For the first few days you close the door, or even before you start closing it, give him a treat kong so he associates good things with it. You can even feed him in there.

I am sure you know this, but when it gets to the point that you are closing the door on him - never ever let him out when he is ANYTHING but calm and quiet. ESPECIALLY with an adult dog. Teach him that he has to wait for your free command before he can exit the crate, so every time he tries to come out without you saying so you simply close the door on him.

Good luck!

GSKnight · 10-29-2011, 04:54 AM

The crate arrived yesterday from mypetcrates.com

Pretty good deal, I got the 48/29/32 with the metal pan for like $90, free shipping & no tax

Ordered on the 25th, shipped on the 26th and arrived the 28th.

So... I set it up last night. Put in a blanket and a sheet (600 thread count, nothing but the best!!!). Then, draped a sheet over the top (trying to make it "den" like). He investigated, but didn't go in. Tossed in a few treats. He stuck his head in and ate them, but that was it.

This morning, I was changing the loads of laundry, look over... and he's curled up laying inside it

. This might be easier than I thought.

wolfstraum · 10-29-2011, 05:55 AM

Feed him in the crate

He will learn, mine sleep in the crates by choice all the time

Lee

10-26-2011, 08:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
GSKnight Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Penn Hills, PA (near Pittsburgh) Posts: 445	I am going to attempt to crate train my 3 year old rescue Viktor. I am going to attempt to crate train my 3 year old rescue Viktor. He has been with me going on 12 days. Spends my work days at a kennel for day care, but I take him everywhere with me when he is not there. I need to be able to trust him at home by himself. So, I ordered a nice large crate and am going to begin working with him using it. My thoughts were to set it in my bedroom where he sleeps and put his blanket in there with the doors open. Not force him inside or anything. Just let him get used to it being there. Then, slowly start to encourage him to lay inside, still with the doors still open, if he is not otherwise doing it. Then, start closing the doors, while being home and see how he reacts. Then, start leaving, for a short time, getting progressively longer. I do not want to lock him up in there the entire time I am at work, but I want to be able to use it when the need arises. Any thoughts?

10-26-2011, 09:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wild Wolf Master Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 810	That sounds like a steady plan. For the first few days you close the door, or even before you start closing it, give him a treat kong so he associates good things with it. You can even feed him in there. I am sure you know this, but when it gets to the point that you are closing the door on him - never ever let him out when he is ANYTHING but calm and quiet. ESPECIALLY with an adult dog. Teach him that he has to wait for your free command before he can exit the crate, so every time he tries to come out without you saying so you simply close the door on him. Good luck! __________________ ~ Angel S-Hunter vom Geistwasser http://k9-instinct.blogspot.ca/

10-29-2011, 05:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
wolfstraum Crowned Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: PA Posts: 7,089	Feed him in the crate He will learn, mine sleep in the crates by choice all the time Lee __________________ Csabre Sch1, Hexe Sch2, Bengal, Kyra, Kira & Kougar v Wolfstraum ~ Basha Sch3, Ghost Sch3 - Danger Sch1 SAR - ATB/Ret - Kyra, Sch3, Alice Sch1, Kelsey, Fenja Sch3 wolfstraum.net

10-29-2011, 04:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
GSKnight Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Penn Hills, PA (near Pittsburgh) Posts: 445	The crate arrived yesterday from mypetcrates.com Pretty good deal, I got the 48/29/32 with the metal pan for like $90, free shipping & no tax Ordered on the 25th, shipped on the 26th and arrived the 28th. So... I set it up last night. Put in a blanket and a sheet (600 thread count, nothing but the best!!!). Then, draped a sheet over the top (trying to make it "den" like). He investigated, but didn't go in. Tossed in a few treats. He stuck his head in and ate them, but that was it. This morning, I was changing the loads of laundry, look over... and he's curled up laying inside it . This might be easier than I thought.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement