@@legendsdogtraining Thanks so much for this video. My Whippet puppy was put off the crate after I once {and only once, but she remembered!} pushed her bottom in so I could close the gate. Her head end whipped round, and she tried to escape. She wasn't mad on treats in there as a puppy, but at approaching two, she needs to be 'Crated' for a dog event, but the organisers specified ''Crate TRAINED Whippets only, as they don't want whining to be a distraction while talks are being given. The crated dogs will be able to see their owners at all times at the event. {5 week's time} so I am crate training my dog now..She is taking treats from crate, but her body language is clearly 'Anxious'..she backs out the minute her chicken is eaten..but it's only been a day. {5 games of getting treats}
Hi Cat! Thanks for watching and writing in. Go at your dog's pace. It might feel slow to start, but the more methodical you are at the beginning the quicker the training will snowball in the long run. Let me know if you need any additional support in training. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Me too, mine not even not crate training but he scared of the wire crate because we use the connectable wire playpen to confined the room so he stays in the dining area when we’re out for work. What happened was my partner kicked it so many times when he had to get over it, so it made the noise and my frenchie scared of it real bad.
@@angievasquez8044 I TOO made the mistake of putting my puppy off the crate because just one time I physically {gently} pushed her bottom in and she resisted. She has never been left in it longer than 40 minutes. I abandoned crate, she is now approaching two years, but we are going to an event where only crated dogs are allowed in..{in a few week's time!} so I am crate training her all over again.
At the moment I'm trying to crate train my 8 year old dog, recently it's been rain season here in Florida and I've learned that they find a crate to be a den and a safe place of their own after crate training. I want him to feel safe during the storms so that hopefully he'll stop scratching everything and annoying my mother. Thank you for this video!
this was very helpful, except now my dog doesn’t want to leave the crate. I think it makes her feel safe because my kids are little and like to play rough with her (: this helped so now we can take her in a crate for traveling and work 👍🏻
Thanks for watching and writing in. Love to hear people’s feedback when they take the time to practice the training. Kids can be tough on dogs! Glad your dog is loving the crate, now you just have to make sure the kids don’t start following the dog into the crate! - Alyssa Rose
So few guides for training an adult dog such as the rescue survivor I'm considering bringing home, so thank you. All made perfect sense but my question is about Step 7 and leaving the door open a few nights. How does that work? He'll be out of there like a flash!
Hi Rasheed! Apologize for the late response. As you are doing this you will start to notice that the crate will become a valued resting space for your dog. It might take longer for some dogs that are fearful/ anxious about the crate but any dog can get to that point. When it comes to adult dogs - I am usually doing this training for potential travel or the possibility of an overnight stay at the vet so if the dog doesn’t choose the crate it just means I have more training to do. I will have puppies sleep in a closed door crate next to my bed at night (for potty training and to prevent chewing), but this is usually not necessary for dogs over one year of age. Hope this is helpful. Let me k ow how your training is going. Best, Alyssa Rose
Really good break down! Thank you!! I have accidentally been rushing my pup into the crate to get some gym time in but he barks and is miserable the whole time. I’ll back up a few steps with your advice and hopefully have better results
Awesome, best of luck in your training. It's really about breaking it down into small achievable steps. Take it slow and steady and look for your dog to give you those "green lights" that he's ready to move forward. In the meantime there might be some other creative management solutions for when you need to leave him alone. Most dogs do better in a gated kitchen (they like the space and movement), or if you proof your living room (so cozy). In some cases I put an exercise pen around the front door just in case the dog becomes nervous, this would prevent them from scratching at the door or threshold. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
My dog (about 7 months old) likes his crate, I’ve been associating it with all things he likes (food and just place his toys inside), he would go into it by himself and stay there for a while as long as I’m in the same room. My goal is to use the crate to help him with his severe separation anxiety-- so now my issue/question is, how do I take it to the next step? He can stay inside the crate as long as I’m there, no matter the door closed or open. But I know he will bark right the way, as long as I leave the room where the crate is.
Hi! I'm sorry for the slow response. I hope your training is going well. Have you made progress with the crate? My primary reason for crate training is for special events like illness or injury that requires a dog to stay overnight at the vet or travel that requires crating. This means I'm ok with taking my time with the training. I love to set open door crates up in the home and make it the coziest spot to rest and relax. Occasionally I might give the dog a special chewy and close the crate as I walk about doing tasks in the house nearby. I try to keep these experiences short and successful, which means I'm likely to open the crate and encourage the dog to come out for a training session or a walk before they've even finished the chew. Hope this helps you or anybody else that might read this comment. If you ever feel you need more support or guidance you can always come train with me in my online classes. Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/
Thank you this is an excellent approach. Even though I have one of the wire crates I will use your process with two paws in, etc. progressing at their speed. I know it will work well.
We are at step 7 and we started to increase the time she spends in the crate (she needs to survive a 14 hour flight in it) while occasionally giving her some treats through the door. She took it well but started rebelling against it (scratching at the door) in the 3rd week. Do you have any suggestions? (Excellent video anyways, the crate training material we worked with was nowhere near this detailed and kind hearted. I am going to share it with some trainers I know!)
Thanking you for sharing this video with us! We have two small dog's that having started peeing in the house when we leave the house even for short periods of time! So were hoping by crate training them this will help them! My husband and I are both retired so were mostly home with them all the time! Again thank you for this helpful information in this video! God Bless✝
Thank you so much for your kind words, greatly appreciated! If you need any additional support in training you can always go to my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com Thanks again for watching and commenting. Best, Alyssa Rose
My 8 month old puppy happily goes in and out of the crate on command and sleeps 8-10 hours at night in there with the door closed. She doesn’t whine or bark or show any stress signs. However, she doesn’t like the crate during the day when we’re home. I want to crate her for dinner time to reduce begging at the table, and when she’s getting overstimulated/overtired but won’t settle. But she barks and whines and wants to be let out. Any advice?
I'm so sorry for this delayed response! How is she doing with dinner time and begging at the table? The best thing is to break the training down into smaller pieces. Working on exercises where she's systematically learning to think through mild levels of excitement or frustration. If you want a more structured approach you can go to my website - www.legendsdogtraining.com - I have online classes that take you through a step by step program, all the training is specifically designed to work through high stress or high arousal behaviors. Thank you again for watching and taking the time to write in! Best, Alyssa Rose
Thank you for such a helpful video, Alyssa! I have a 4-year old 60 lb husky (rescued about 2 years ago) who I need to train for a 9.5 hr international flight from Seattle to London in about 1-2 months time - we previously had crate training lessons but he didn’t take to it easily, unfortunately the move is fast approaching and can’t be postponed. We are training in short lessons multiple times a day now to prepare for the flight but I also fear that his size and anxiety can cause him to try to escape the crate during the flight and potentially injure himself in the process (he previously had an incident escaping from a wire crate). In addition to the training would it be advisable to also try medication such as Benadryl to help relax him during the flight?
Hey! I was just scrolling through comments and saw that I never had a chance to respond to your question. How did your husky do on the flight? - Alyssa Rose
Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that. Does your dog have separation anxiety? Would you be interested in any additional support/ guidance? I teach online classes to help dogs work through anxiety related behavior issues. Let me know if this is something that would be of interest to you, and I can send more information. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa
The best thing for longer departures is to create a confinement space in a central area of your home. I usually try to use the kitchen whenever possible. You can also use exercise pens as a confinement area. Confinement areas still require training to help dogs feel comfortable staying in this space, but this is a better choice for longer departures because it gives them more space to move. Crates at night are usually not a problem but if dogs are crated for longer stretches during the day (more than 1-2 hours) you may see behavior issues develop as a result of boredom/ frustration.
Devin Sortor hi! the timeline depends on the dog, their history with the crate and your level of patience in training. The dog in this video was a street dog that was shipped from Athens to San Diego without any training. It took about 2.5 months to help him overcome his fear. Keep your sessions short, but be consistent. I did 5 minute sessions 2 or 3 times each day in preparation for another international flight. The goal was to help him be as comfortable as he could be with the crate, so that it became a source of security instead of a source of anxiety. Best of luck with your training. - Alyssa Rose
My friend crates her Pug at least 8 hours, 5 days a week. Gets no walk or exercise. Screams like a pig being killed. When he gets out, he screams again and run around like a headless chicken. What to do???
?: I want to start working with my dog on crate training. We have a collapsible wire crate and we'll only be using it for like 2-3 hours while we're working & only for 2-4 days so not very much b/c we mostly work at home. My question though is my boyfriend doesn't want the crate set up all the time.. is okay to be putting the crate away when not in use?
Hi Aimee, if the plan is to use the crate for separation when you leave the house - I would be cautious about folding it up and taking it out in anticipation of leaving. This will become a departure cue. Your dog will probably start to become anxious while you set it up, knowing that he is about to be left alone. If you are using a crate for separation you would want the crate to become a place that he goes to rest and relax in during the day (when you're home) or even at night when he is likely to be at his calmest. This would be impossible if it's being put away. That being said, have you considered gating off your kitchen instead? This would give him a little bit more space to move around. Though it still requires conditioning exercises, most dogs take to this set up a little bit easier/ faster. Hope this is helpful. - Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Thanks for this video. I am about to start crate training my 6 yr old Jack Russell X so he can travel by plane when we move in about a years time, it's a 4 hour flight not including the pre and post flight time required in the crate. Being that he is a highly anxious dog I thought a year would be enough time for him to be comfortable. Your video has given me confidence that he and I will get this right :)
I plan on crate training so when I get a second dog they can co exist without having to interact for a while. Trying to make them meeting go more smoothly and neutral Im hoping?
Hey! Thanks for watching. Crate training is definitely a helpful skill to have - particularly if your dog ever needs to spend the night at the vet or if your dog ever needs crate rest with an injury. When introducing a second dog into your home you can use the crate for sleep routines. I would space the crates 5-10 feet apart to minimize stress. It is ideal to use the crate with both dogs when they are both relatively relaxed/ calm. Be careful NOT to use a crate when one dog is loose in the house, and the other is crated. In this case the confinement could create frustration/ anxiety and lead to altercations when the dogs are together. A baby gate would be a better way to separate two dogs. This allows for more freedom of movement, as well as, choice and control in their environment. Exercise pens can be used for more open floor plans. Hope this is helpful! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
My 5 month old settles herself in her crate fairly well if I leave the room, but at bed time she has a hard time settling in the crate when we are trying to go to bed. Any ideas on why this may be?
Hey! Thanks for watching. Do you close the crate door at night? A lot of puppies/ dogs become anxious when they feel confined. The fact that she settles in the crate during the day is a good sign. You might try puppy proofing the room and leaving the crate door open at night. Another option is to use a harness and a 5 foot leash to tether the puppy to the leg of the bed. This way they are able to walk in and out of the crate as they choose but they are less likely to chew or have accidents. If you have to close the crate then you can save a special chewy that can help your puppy to develop calm, positive associations within a closed door crate. For more support or online training classes you can go to my website www.legendsdogtraining.com
Hi. I am travelling with my 5.5 years labrador and it be a 28hours flight. Its been 1.5 months that his trainer have been patiently crate training him but he does sits more than 5 10 mins. Now I have to travelling in next 15 days. So I just leave him in his crate for 30 to 45 min and he continously barks non stop along with scratching his paws. In dire need of an expert help. Can any one suggest anything.
I found this to be very helpful, with clear and concise instructions. Hopefully it will help my dog who has severe thunder and fireworks phobia and will find the crate to be her safe haven. Thanks very much.
Hi Nancy! So glad this was helpful. Open door crates can be a great safe space for a dog that is fearful of thunder and fireworks. You can also teach her to use it in this way by making a list of mild stressors. You might then expose her to one of these low level stressors and reinforce her generously for going to an open door crate during these controlled sessions. For dogs that are sensitive to sounds I am always sure to do short exposure whenever possible (5 seconds) and then only 1 or 2 repetitions in a single day. Too many repetitions can be counter-productive. Little by little and you might see her coping skills improve. If you are ever in need of a more structured approach you can go to my website - www.legendsdogtraining.com - I have online classes that take you through a step by step program, all the training is specifically designed to work through stress related behavioral concerns. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. It's greatly appreciated. Best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining thank you so much for your kind reply and help--I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. I am so glad to know about your website and will read about your online classes and help with behavioral issues. Best, Nancy
@@nancygrossman1510 wonderful, hope for the opportunity to connect with you through training. Mat work would be most beneficial for sound sensitivity. Best wishes, Alyssa
Hi, thx for the video, it's helpful! I'm currently training my 11 year old dog, quickly she seemed confortable going in the crate disassembled so I added the top and again she seemed comfortable going in and sit and lay down, after two days she went inside by herself and take some napes so I thought it was pretty much done so the next day I decided to try with the door and start training with the door closed and leave for 10 to 20 seconds she didn't show any signs of stress (she easily stress) or anything and she stays inside when we exercice door open door closed, but she doesn't go in the crate by herself anymore :( she checks with two paws inside or just her head to had some sniff but that's it, so I decided to remove the door for some weeks and keep training, I hope I didn't screw the thing, I will follow your video step by step and take more time even if she seems comfortable. We're moving overseas mid october, I hope she will feel comfortable enough by this time.
Hey! It sounds like you're on the right track. I love that you are taking it slow, and that you went back to a more basic version of the training when she become nervous. The best way to introduce the closed door is to pair it with a time that she is already relaxed. Give her a special chewy in the evening when you are reading a book or resting nearby. You could also put the crate next to your bed, and encourage her to sleep in it at night. This would be the fastest way to get her comfortable resting inside for longer stretches of time. The other thing to note here is that you always want to focus on one new variable at a time. For example, closing the door and leaving the room might have been too much, too soon. She'll likely do better if you focus on the closed door first, while you stay in close proximity. Good luck! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legenddogtraining.com
Thank you Alyssa for this very structured tutorial. I have a long haired daschunds who look just like the one in the video. She is unfortunately developing symptoms of intervertebral disc disease and the vet has recommended that she rests in a crate with no movement. So I cannot take slow approach you are taking in that video. I have made a makeshift crate until the real one arrives from Amazon in a couple of days. I dread how she will take it to sleeping in it tonight! But will do my best to implement some of the steps you recommend . Any tips to fit my circumstances would be fab! ❤️
Hi, does your pup have negative associations with a crate from past experiences? If not, this might go faster than you expect. If she needs to be on crate rest, you'll need her to be calm and relaxed in the crate so I - personally - would avoid using it in practical situations until she is happily going in and out on her own. The stress and tension associated with anxiety and frustration could be counterproductive. To accelerate progress, I would be using her breakfast and dinner and high value meaty, nutritious foods (like boiled chicken, diced into small pieces) to help her LOVE the crate. If she does have prior negative associations, and seems suspicious of the training, you might have better luck sectioning off your kitchen, and using that as a starting point. I'm a similar situation with my terrier and when I'm home with her, I just keep her tethered to me, with a comfy bed placed right next to me. I carry her up and down stairs and on and off furniture, and I keep her leash when she has to go potty outside. I'll be curious to hear how this goes! Keep me posted. - Alyssa www.legendsdogtraining.com
loved the vid and cant wait to implement what ive learned for my 10 month rescue. only question is what kind of treats are you using and where should i have the dog sleep at night while crate training?
Hey! When possible I try to use portions of the dog's meals, if it holds enough value for the dog. Otherwise string cheese (low fat for dogs that are predisposed to pancreatitis) is an easy training treat, I also like Happy Howie's food rolls but I think they're temporarily unavailable. If you have a puppy or young dog that might have accidents or become destructive you can have an open door crate next to your bed. In some cases I back tie the puppy with a harness and leash to the bed frame so that they can easily go in and out of the crate but they can't get into any other trouble. This gives the puppy the opportunity to choose the crate and can set the stage for that calm, relaxed association we're hoping for. Hope this helps! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Hi Alyssa, thanks so much for this incredibly helpful video. We are moving from Beijing to NY in 6 weeks and while I've already started crate training our dog I think I pushed him too hard. I have one more question: What do you recommend for increasing the time periods of keeping the gate closed? 1 minute intervals? How quickly should you increase the duration if your dog seems fine? Thanks a lot and all the best.
Hi! So glad you found this video helpful. Two ways that you can start to increase time. 1. Planned nap time. Choose a time during the day where your dog is normally ready to nap. Sit next to him and read a book. If your dog is doing well with 1minute during training - you can sit and read next to him for 5 minutes. Increase in 5 minute intervals as long as he seems comfortable. 2. Place the crate next to your bed, and start having him sleep in there over night. The goal is to have him associate the crate with rest and relaxation. If he becomes distressed: barking, scratching or biting at the gate, or stress whining for more than 1-2 minutes -- go back to an easier variation of the training in future sessions. Sometimes this means going back to the beginning training steps for 2-3 days. It's better to build positive associations in the days and weeks before the flight than to try and push the training too fast and associate it with stress, frustration or anxiety. If you ever have any other behavioral training needs - my website is legendsdogtraining.com I teach online classes you and your dog might enjoy. Best, Alyssa Rose
Hey, thanks for watching and writing in. I typically use crates at night for younger dogs. Beyond that I like to crate train for potential vet visits or travel. For puppies or adult dogs that need to be left alone during the day - and are likely to destroy things or have accidents - I really like using gated kitchens or sturdy exercise pens. I used to use crates during the day when I had to leave the house, but now I try to come up with safe, secure set ups that give the dog a little more room to move. Thanks again for writing in. Best, Alyssa Rose
Hi Alyssa, thanks for the video - it was wonderfully helpful! My girlfriend and I just moved in together and she’s got a cat, but my dog isn’t taking too kindly to them. I know it’ll take time, but can a crate help with that? My dog has a higher prey drive. (Lunges, shakes, whines) cheers!
Hi Tyler! I would not use the crate for training with the cat. This can backfire and create more frustration. I would do a slow integration. Set up the living space with double barriers separating the dog and cat. For example, one barrier could be a door and the other could be an extra tall baby gate with vertical bars. Do short 10 minute training sessions that look like this: ruclips.net/video/m-Tqd-t6A8o/видео.html Train once or twice each day and then use solid management in-between. When you do train make sure that the dog is on a secure harness and leash. If you need more support in training, let me know. I teach online classes for behavioral training. You can find them on my website legendsdogtraining.com Hope this is helpful! Best, Alyssa
I have a question my dog has been sleeping in a wire crate since she has been 6 months old. I never have shut her in it Im a stay at home wife. So I've house trained her she loves sleeping in it. Its 22 inches wide and 36 inches long. But I've been thinking about a pet carrier now that she's 5. Would that be ok and big enough for her to turn and move around in as she sleeps. Also is it as durable? I also put her a nice soft dog bed inside. Thank you😊
My dog Tucker likes going in his crate but doesn’t like it when I close the door and he can still see me. So, he likes going in and laying down because I have treats and things that keep him busy. But it’s when it closes. That’s what he hates
Hi Cassandra, Crates are easily over-used. If you have a dog that is destructive or having accidents then it's better to create an area in a central area of your home that is dog proofed. In some cases it works well to use exercise pens to protect areas that your dog could damage. For example, using an exercise pen to create an arc and protect the front door from getting scratched. The same thing can be done around a bookshelf, or tv/ computer stand where there are a lot of wires. Over-use of crates creates more behavior issues than it solves. Best, Alyssa www.legendsdogtraining.com
I have a 2 yr old corgi and a 10 month old corgi. The puppy is going in and out if both crates and seems to love them/not care. But my older one has 2 paws in and is scared…also the younger one seems to kinda push him out of the way. Should I just push past it with the older one? Or is there something I can do
Hey! I'm so sorry for not seeing this comment earlier. If it's still relevant - it's always a good idea to go at your dog's pace to build a genuine feeling of safety and security with the crate. I use crates for puppies at night and larger play pens during the day if/when I need to leave a puppy alone. I rarely use crates for adult dogs, but I do crate train for unanticipated events that may pop up in the future - like traveling or if a dog has to stay at the vet. Read your dog's body language and work with your dog at the point BEFORE he exhibits fearful body language. For example, if your dog has two paws in but is leaning back on his haunches then I would be reinforcing for approaching the crate (ie. provide 10 treats in rapid succession) and then say "all done" and let your dog move away and process the training. Working with your dog below that fear threshold is key. Hopefully this makes sense! I tried to provide an example of this in the video. Best wishes to you in your training. If you ever need more formal help you can check out my website - www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa
So does this only work with a hard plastic kennel? We have collapsing metal cages. Most of our dogs love their kennels but our beegle (rosie) cries constantly.
Hey John! Try starting with the open door exercises with the wire crate - where the goal is to just have your beagle step into the crate and turn around. Pay attention to body language and stick with the training at that level up until the point that she seems to be happy and confident walking in. In the meantime, try not to use the crate if she's clearly distressed by it. If I am raising a puppy I put a closed door crate next to my bed so that the puppy associates the crate with rest/ relaxation, but still feels safe in close proximity to me. During the day I usually opt for an exercises pen or I use a gate to section off the kitchen. Every situation is different but I rarely use crates during the day when the dog is home alone, I prefer to give the dog more space to move. I crate train in the event that a dog has to stay over night at the vet or if I ever need to use a crate for travel purposes, like flying in a plane. Hope this helps! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Hey Chris! Thanks for taking the time to watch and write in. This dog featured in this video was found as a street dog in Greece. He was forced into a crate in order to complete an international flight from Athens to San Diego. The dog was panicked during that trip and continued to exhibit a very high level of fear associated with the crate to the point that he wouldn't even enter a room which contained a crate. Two years later the dog needed complete the same international flight back to Athens. The owners were concerned that he wouldn't be able to complete the flight. The training you see in this video helped to reframe the dog's understanding of the crate. He trotted into the crate at the airport and settled inside. It became a safe place for him to rest during a very stressful event. It was a great success. - Alyssa Rose
How do you do this with a wire foldable crate? I’m also trying to train my 9 yo anxious dog to enjoy his crate and trying to start before we travel. I can’t disassemble mine as it folds on hinges. What do you recommend?
Hi! Thanks for watching. How soon do you travel? Keep the door tied open so that it doesn't move or make noise. Place a flat mat inside the crate, avoid bulky bedding. Skip to the part in the video where it talks about reinforcing your dog at the point where you still see confident body language with the assembled crate. If you are "asking too much" you'll notice that your dog may be reaching out her/his neck or stretching back legs to take the treats. Don't over-do the training. I usually train in "sets" - giving approximately 8-10 pea sized treats per set, with a 1 minute break in-between. The break should allow your dog to relax, get a drink of water. Don't offer food or coax your dog to interact with the crate in any way during the break. Often times giving breaks will yield greater curiosity during your next set. I usually do 4 sets per training session, and then go for a walk or do a play session. I hope these ideas help! Once dogs are easily going in and out of the crate you can usually build on time more easily. Happily going in and out is the most critical first step. If you need more guidance you can always go to my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com I offer classes and consultations.
does this apply when trying to sleep through the night? my dog is now 1 year and 7 months and didn't really crate train him properly ; he screams in the crate in the living room but I moved it to my bedroom since I thought he wanted to be closer to me but he still cries and barks and I'm not sure what to do.
Does your dog destroy things or have accidents if he's not in the crate? I really like the fact that you moved your crate into your bedroom. Whenever possible, I will usually position the crate right next to my bed. You could try to leave the crate door open and put a soft blanket inside the crate. Remove any other dog beds in the room and see if your dog chooses to sleep in their when he doesn't feel trapped. If you do this in combination with the training described in the video I think you might find that you can help your dog see the crate as being a positive place to rest. I rarely use or recommend closed door crates for every day use. It's more for the possibility that a dog may one day need to stay overnight at the vet's office, or possible travel by plane. If your dog is destroying things or having accidents - there may be other ways to manage the behavior without causing so much frustration/ distress. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
If you want a dog. better take a week off to train it. I adopted a dog from my friend to breed it but i went to work right away so I can't spend this time training it and that sucks
Hey! Thanks for watching. How's your dog doing? If you ever need more support in training you can check out my website www.legendsdogtraining.com I have online classes that can help dogs work through anxious behaviors. Best of luck in your training. - Alyssa
My dog sleeps in his crate and will go in and out on cue, but gets anxious for any extended period in the crate. How to I get him comfortable for more than a few minutes? I give him a big bone or Kong full of treats, but they are quickly forgotten as soon as I leave the room
Hey Sarah! I'm so sorry for not seeing this comment earlier. If it's still relevant - it's always a good idea to go at your dog's pace to build a genuine feeling of safety and security with the crate. I use crates for puppies at night and larger play pens during the day if/when I need to leave a puppy alone. I rarely use crates for adult dogs, but I do crate train adults for unanticipated events that may pop up in the future - like traveling or if a dog has to stay at the vet. Work with your dog at the point BEFORE he is pushed "over-threshold." Working with your dog below that anxiety threshold is key. This may not be applicable with your dog at this point, but maybe this response will help someone else that is having a similar issue. If you ever need more formal help you can check out my website - www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa
Did you find it any harder crate training your daschund? We have a 7 month old daschund and her separation anxiety is through the roof so really struggling with getting her to sleep on the crate
Hey! These aren't actually my dogs, they belong to my client. Interestingly enough the dachshund had a lot of anxiety with crates because it had been used for night time sleep. When I first started working with these clients one of the things that we started focusing on is helping the dachshund learn to feel calm/ safe/ happy with the crate.To make this happen the clients stopped using the closed door crate at night. At the same time they started working on exercises (like you see in the video) teaching the dachshund to go in and out of the crate. At the beginning she was so suspicious and fearful of being locked inside that we had to go very very very slow. Little by little she made headway. You can see in this video she loves the crate. It takes time, but my recommendation is that crate should not be about teaching the dog to tolerate the crate but rather to see it as a safe space. The crate can still be in your bedroom at night, but keep the door open. Do training during the day to build value for the crate. Make the crate the most desirable place to rest by removing other dog beds. If your dog is destructive during the day or has accidents when you leave the house you will probably find it easier to baby gate the kitchen, or to place an exercise pen in your living room. These larger spaces are more ideal for day time alone time. If your dog isn't destructive and isn't having accidents, you might find that leaving her with free range of your home helps with her anxiety. In these cases I will usually place an exercise pen around the front door, just in case the dog scratches at the door. You can also leave the blanket or pillow that she sleeps on at night in that main living area. A lot of dogs will gravitate to it when they feel stressed. Hope this helps! Here's my website if you want more info about formal training: www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa Rose
Thanks for this video, nice clear presentation. We are considering crate training for use in the car as my dog has built up significant sensitivity to the backseat (where she goes now). She is not crate trained and seems to have some confinement issues when we rescued her around 18 months ago so we stopped using any kind of crate. Is the best path to crate train in the house and then move it into the car or start the crate off in the car? Appreciate your expertise and any comments…. Thanks!
Hi Eileen! I'm sorry I missed your comment earlier. Has your dog made any progress with the crate or with the car? If not, here are a few tips that might help. I would work with the crate and car separately to start. The training schedule and the starting point would depend on where your dog is presenting any level of confidence. For example, does your dog show fear when approaching the car? Or does your dog jump right in without hesitation? I always train at the point where I see calm, confident responses to training. If the dog is stretching their neck or back legs to get the food - the criteria is too high and we need to back it up. The same concepts apply to the crate. One other note is that I really like using training mats, I usually refer to this as Mat Work. By teaching dogs to feel calm and relaxed with a training mat we can then generalize that training to many different contexts. Mat work can be used to create calm associations with the crate, with the car, at the vet, at the park or when guests come over. It's a singular skill set with many functions. If you ever feel that you need additional support or guidance you can always check out my online classes. Here's a link: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment, much appreciated. Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
Hi! It depends on the dog. Not all dogs need the crate to be dismantled. You might be able to skip those steps. If a dog has a strong aversion the crate I would recommend purchasing one that does dismantle so that you’re able to take it slow. If you end up doing any training with this, let me know. Would love to hear how it goes. - Alyssa
Hi, Alyssa. my 8 month puppy become attached to the crate, he will be more calmed and sleep better inside a closed crate. Even though I opened it , at night he will willingly sleep inside the crate rather than in his doggy bed. Why is it ? I plan to replace to bigger crate even though i think he won't get bigger in size ( a chiweenie )
Very helpful vid..but not what I wanted to hear..2-3 hours max time? That blows my plan of getting a crate for him for while I'm gone to work..He has terrible separation anxiety and has literally broken two windows ..right through the glass to a 5 foot drop. And ran off to find me..Both times he came home within 5-10 minutes after I got home..I thought a crate would be a safe option..but 8 hrs for him if the lady say 2 or 3 worries me..He will kill himself..I need Cesar Millan.. I. So screwed.
Hey Tony, That's scary, poor guy. How old is he? When it comes to separation anxiety I do not recommend crate training as a solution. The majority of dogs will actually become more distressed if you are combining the anxiety of being confined within a small space, and the anxiety associated with separation. Instead, I would be trying to condition your dog to a gated space in the central area of your home using solid, extra tall gates, with vertical bars. He is likely to learn how to jump the gate which is why you should not use this area until you have spend sufficient time conditioning him to be calm first. He should associate this area with rest and relaxation. Confinement training and separation training is a process, there's no silver bullet fix. It will take time. While you are working with him on this training you might look at having him stay with a friend or family member during the day, or see if there is someone in your neighborhood that might be able to do pet sitting. Many people are looking for a job like this that would allow them to study and earn a little side cash at the same time. Of course, friends and family that would be willing to do this at no charge would be an even more ideal solution.
Hi Tony, You might find this video helpful, it looks at training that helps dogs learn to be calmer in a gated area: ruclips.net/video/Ra6_W2EHWEU/видео.html
This video sounds like it would help a bunch, but I can’t remove the top off my crate. My current foster does the stretch eating with 2 paws in right now but if she’s currently eating and I touch her back feet gently and say “feet in please” she’ll put her feet in and I can close the door and do some training with her for when I open the door to not rush out (she only doesn’t rush out if I put her in for like a few mins but if she’s in there longer she still rushes out). I was wondering if you have any tips on getting her to put all her 4 paws in without me having to physically touch her? I would say she’s semi comfortable with the crate at this point but not entirely and I don’t want her to get stressed out by it 😔 she’s a bit of a larger dog even though she’s only 8 months, but she’s definitely not a 10 week old puppy that I’m training, but we tend to utilize her crates for when we have to leave the house and bedtime, I do hang out with her in the crate in the afternoon here and there to get her more comfortable with it, and she naps in it for her afternoon nap sometimes, so I’m not sure if I should just keep doing what I’m doing or if there’s anything I can improve on?
Hi Stephanie! I would offer food at the point where the dog is *not stretching for it. For example if you place or hold the food 3 feet and you see her stretching, place or hold the food 2 feet in (or less if need be). I will typically have 10 treats per set and then give the dog a 1 minute break to think/process the training. By working at the dogs comfort level you will see greater confidence/ comfort. You might notice that during a break she will even go back to investigate the crate (let her do so, without pressure to enter). Be patient. It might take take multiple sessions to see progress, but the results will be stronger if you go at her pace. If possible, avoid closing the door while you’re working on building confidence with going inside. I prefer using a gated kitchen or an exercise pen for alone time in the house with young dogs - this offers more movement and options. Training with the closed door should only come once she is very freely walking in and out of the crate like it’s a fun game. Hope this is helpful! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
@@legendsdogtraining xpens don’t work with her as she will literally jump and push it until it falls over (even if it falls on her) 😩 but I’ll definitely try this, thanks! 😬
This is such a useful video! We're referring to this guide for our 3 year old dog who is an anxious mixed breed. I have a question: He seems to be stuck before step 2 I.e. Two paws in. He happily eats from the disassembled crate if it's within reach. But won't follow it or put his two paws in. It's been over 10 days and I'm not sure how to get him through to putting both his paws into the crate?! Thank you 🙏
Hi! Here are a few more tips. 1. Breaks. Provide 8-10 high value treats and then give your dog a break. I usually put one minute on the clock. Stay sitting next to the crate, but don’t offer food and try to coax your dog to approach or enter. Just give your dog time to process, get a drink of water, or rest. I usually do 4 training “sets” with a 1 minute break in between each set before ending the session. This will help make sure that your sessions are short and sweet with plenty of time to regroup. 2. Delivery of reinforcement. Make sure that you are delivering the food at a point that your dog still appears comfortable. For example, deliver food at a location that allows your dog to eat ** without ** stretching his neck or stretching out his back legs. Stretching is a sign that you’re working past your dog’s comfort zone and can make your training plateau. 3. Reinforcement rate. Reinforce every 2-3 seconds. If the reinforcement rate is too slow it can create undesired stress/ frustration and your dog might opt out of the exercise. 4. Mat. Find a good flat mat to place on the floor of the crate. It should offer good traction. You could even teach your dog to “target” the mat when it is outside of the crate (ie. feed breakfast or dinner on it for 7-10 days) and then place it back into crate. This might act as a helpful building block. Keep me posted on how he’s doing. Here’s my website if you are interested in online classes for anxious and reactive dogs: www.legendsdogtraining.com
Hey! Thanks for watching. I usually do 1-2 sessions each day. It’s ideal if each session is about 7-10 minutes. And at least half of that is “break time” where the dog is given an opportunity to just hang out, get a drink of water and process the training. Let me know how your training goes. Best, Alyssa
@@legendsdogtraining Thanks! We just took the top off & after the second time, she actually went all the way in!! What a great start! Our pet had been longing herself to get treats before. She’s crate trained in a wire crate; we’re trying to get the plastic one so we can travel safely in a vehicle. Thanks again!
@@cbrwn4285 that’s awesome! One other thing to consider is the popping sensation/ sound of these hard plastic crates vs wire crates. Sometimes putting a mat beneath the hard plastic crate can dull the pop and facilitate the training. Keep me posted on how she’s doing with the training! Best, Alyssa
Saving this video. We rescued a 4 month old puppy. He goes into his crate to sleep at night with no issues, but during the day is still a work in progress. Like that this is step by step instruction. Thank you.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I really like having a gated area during the day (something that is larger than a crate, but still easily puppy proofed). If you are curious to see a video of what this would look like and how to train puppies to be calm inside you can watch this video: ruclips.net/video/HS8iOoGT5GE/видео.html Thanks again for writing in! Best, Alyssa Rose
Hey! Thanks for watching, so glad you found it helpful! Reach out at any time if you have questions. If you are ever curious for more structured training programs, here's my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com Thank you again for watching, and taking the time to comment - it's appreciated. Best, Alyssa Rose
Got a 9 month old pit from the shelter. He wants NO part of the crate (mine is metal). So... I put his food dish in there with dinner tonight. He will eventually get hungry enough to go in there and eat, then he'll see it isn't a big deal.
Hi Shawn, this could work for a dog that had a mild aversion/ fear of the crate. If your dog’s aversion is more serious - I wouldn’t expect to see much of a progression past stretching his neck out and taking 1-2 steps in to get the food and go. Could be wrong, let me know how it goes. Best, Alyssa Rose
Robert Gordon thanks for watching and for your kind response. The dog in the video is a mix. His family found him as a stray in the countryside in Greece. To me he looks a lot like a fox red Labrador retriever. Best, Alyssa Rose
How's your training going? If you are not able to dismantle the crate you can still follow this approach. In fact, not all dogs need to start with a dismantled crate. If you are ever in need of more structured training - feel free to check out my online classes on my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com
Hi, I was using Happy Howie's food rolls (turkey, lamb, beef) combined with dry dog food - I think it was Acana. This is the brand of dry food my clients were already feeding him. Hope this is helpful! - Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Thanks for watching! Appreciate the positive feedback. If you’re ever interested in checking out my website, it’s www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa Rose
I have a 2 year old German shepherd we rescued 2 months ago. I want to introduce her to a crate for when we have company or go to visit family that has dogs. Otherwise she pretty much has freedom. These tips were great and should help our training process. I didn't realize you didn't just stick them in a crate and that was that. I'm looking forward to getting the crate in the next few days and beginning the training so we'll be ready by Christmas. Thank you!
Hi Sandra! Thanks for your comment! Some dogs will struggle to be in crate when people or dogs are around that they don’t know very well. Although I still think crate training is a good idea for travel or if your dog is ever injured and needs crate rest. Way to be pro-active in your training, very smart! Keep me posted on her training. - Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining thanks for the reply. She has done very well in her training and usually acts very calm, which makes me think she has done it before. We are really worried about her actions in a crate with 2 strange dogs around her while we go off and leave her, so we have opted not to do that. We may need it, however, when she has her first injection for heart worms in February. Thanks again.
Sandra Gail Humphrey that sounds like a solid plan. It can definitely be challenging for dogs to be in a crate when they’re around unfamiliar dogs, but the crate will be a great help for her heartworm treatment. Happy training, and let me know if you ever need any additional support. Best, Alyssa Rose
Hey Timmy, as a trainer I very rarely use or recommend closed crates as a daily part of a dog’s life. But like the video says ... it can be 100% necessary if you ever plan to travel by plane with a dog, or if an unexpected emergency occurs and they have to stay over night at the vet. Thanks for watching and taking the time to write in. ;) - Alyssa Rose
*Their Also, my dog usually has a 10ft by 10ft outdoor kennel with a cedar dog house when I am at work or gone from the house but I am having to quickly crate train her because I have to go to work but we currently have negative temperatures and she can't be left outside nor can be left to roam the house. So yeah, sometimes you have to crate a dog.
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Glad i found this video about to start getting my dogs comfortable and ready for a 18 hour travel from US to Japan in the fall.
I love the fact that you’re starting to prepare now. Let me know if you run into any challenges and need help troubleshooting. Best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining Thanks so much for this video.
My Whippet puppy was put off the crate after I once {and only once, but she remembered!} pushed her bottom in so I could close the gate.
Her head end whipped round, and she tried to escape.
She wasn't mad on treats in there as a puppy, but at approaching two, she needs to be 'Crated' for a dog event, but the organisers specified ''Crate TRAINED Whippets only, as they don't want whining to be a distraction while talks are being given.
The crated dogs will be able to see their owners at all times at the event.
{5 week's time} so I am crate training my dog now..She is taking treats from crate, but her body language is clearly 'Anxious'..she backs out the minute her chicken is eaten..but it's only been a day. {5 games of getting treats}
I made a mistake of not training my dog enjoy a kennel, so this video is very helpful! He's already 2 yrs old :(
Hi Cat! Thanks for watching and writing in. Go at your dog's pace. It might feel slow to start, but the more methodical you are at the beginning the quicker the training will snowball in the long run. Let me know if you need any additional support in training. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
I did same mistake, now my puppy is two years old.
Me too, mine not even not crate training but he scared of the wire crate because we use the connectable wire playpen to confined the room so he stays in the dining area when we’re out for work. What happened was my partner kicked it so many times when he had to get over it, so it made the noise and my frenchie scared of it real bad.
I did the same as you now she Hayes being in her crate or her house that's made out if wood and she got stressed and started chewing an making a hole
@@angievasquez8044 I TOO made the mistake of putting my puppy off the crate because just one time I physically {gently} pushed her bottom in and she resisted.
She has never been left in it longer than 40 minutes.
I abandoned crate, she is now approaching two years, but we are going to an event where only crated dogs are allowed in..{in a few week's time!} so I am crate training her all over again.
At the moment I'm trying to crate train my 8 year old dog, recently it's been rain season here in Florida and I've learned that they find a crate to be a den and a safe place of their own after crate training. I want him to feel safe during the storms so that hopefully he'll stop scratching everything and annoying my mother. Thank you for this video!
Hi! Thank you for writing in, it makes me so happy to know you found this helpful! - Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Oh this is my huge issue right now I cant get a moment of rest during storms with my dog.
I love this video, Alyssa! And I love that you mention that dogs should not be in a crate for more than 2-3 hours during the day.
this was very helpful, except now my dog doesn’t want to leave the crate. I think it makes her feel safe because my kids are little and like to play rough with her (: this helped so now we can take her in a crate for traveling and work 👍🏻
Thanks for watching and writing in. Love to hear people’s feedback when they take the time to practice the training. Kids can be tough on dogs! Glad your dog is loving the crate, now you just have to make sure the kids don’t start following the dog into the crate! - Alyssa Rose
So few guides for training an adult dog such as the rescue survivor I'm considering bringing home, so thank you. All made perfect sense but my question is about Step 7 and leaving the door open a few nights. How does that work? He'll be out of there like a flash!
Hi Rasheed! Apologize for the late response. As you are doing this you will start to notice that the crate will become a valued resting space for your dog. It might take longer for some dogs that are fearful/ anxious about the crate but any dog can get to that point. When it comes to adult dogs - I am usually doing this training for potential travel or the possibility of an overnight stay at the vet so if the dog doesn’t choose the crate it just means I have more training to do. I will have puppies sleep in a closed door crate next to my bed at night (for potty training and to prevent chewing), but this is usually not necessary for dogs over one year of age. Hope this is helpful. Let me k ow how your training is going. Best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining great, thanks!
Really good break down! Thank you!! I have accidentally been rushing my pup into the crate to get some gym time in but he barks and is miserable the whole time. I’ll back up a few steps with your advice and hopefully have better results
Awesome, best of luck in your training. It's really about breaking it down into small achievable steps. Take it slow and steady and look for your dog to give you those "green lights" that he's ready to move forward. In the meantime there might be some other creative management solutions for when you need to leave him alone. Most dogs do better in a gated kitchen (they like the space and movement), or if you proof your living room (so cozy). In some cases I put an exercise pen around the front door just in case the dog becomes nervous, this would prevent them from scratching at the door or threshold. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
How'd it go?
My dog (about 7 months old) likes his crate, I’ve been associating it with all things he likes (food and just place his toys inside), he would go into it by himself and stay there for a while as long as I’m in the same room.
My goal is to use the crate to help him with his severe separation anxiety-- so now my issue/question is, how do I take it to the next step?
He can stay inside the crate as long as I’m there, no matter the door closed or open.
But I know he will bark right the way, as long as I leave the room where the crate is.
Hi! I'm sorry for the slow response. I hope your training is going well. Have you made progress with the crate? My primary reason for crate training is for special events like illness or injury that requires a dog to stay overnight at the vet or travel that requires crating. This means I'm ok with taking my time with the training. I love to set open door crates up in the home and make it the coziest spot to rest and relax. Occasionally I might give the dog a special chewy and close the crate as I walk about doing tasks in the house nearby. I try to keep these experiences short and successful, which means I'm likely to open the crate and encourage the dog to come out for a training session or a walk before they've even finished the chew. Hope this helps you or anybody else that might read this comment. If you ever feel you need more support or guidance you can always come train with me in my online classes. Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/
Thank you this is an excellent approach. Even though I have one of the wire crates I will use your process with two paws in, etc. progressing at their speed. I know it will work well.
Hi, thanks for watching and for your kind comment. Much appreciate. Hope your training is going well! - Alyssa Rose
We are at step 7 and we started to increase the time she spends in the crate (she needs to survive a 14 hour flight in it) while occasionally giving her some treats through the door. She took it well but started rebelling against it (scratching at the door) in the 3rd week. Do you have any suggestions? (Excellent video anyways, the crate training material we worked with was nowhere near this detailed and kind hearted. I am going to share it with some trainers I know!)
How was the flight? How long did it take you to fully train your dog?
Very intelligent description on how to crate train your dog. Thank you.
Thanking you for sharing this video with us! We have two small dog's that having started peeing in the house when we leave the house even for short periods of time! So were hoping by crate training them this will help them! My husband and I are both retired so were mostly home with them all the time! Again thank you for this helpful information in this video! God Bless✝
Thank you so much for your kind words, greatly appreciated! If you need any additional support in training you can always go to my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com Thanks again for watching and commenting. Best, Alyssa Rose
My 8 month old puppy happily goes in and out of the crate on command and sleeps 8-10 hours at night in there with the door closed. She doesn’t whine or bark or show any stress signs. However, she doesn’t like the crate during the day when we’re home. I want to crate her for dinner time to reduce begging at the table, and when she’s getting overstimulated/overtired but won’t settle. But she barks and whines and wants to be let out. Any advice?
I'm so sorry for this delayed response! How is she doing with dinner time and begging at the table? The best thing is to break the training down into smaller pieces. Working on exercises where she's systematically learning to think through mild levels of excitement or frustration. If you want a more structured approach you can go to my website - www.legendsdogtraining.com - I have online classes that take you through a step by step program, all the training is specifically designed to work through high stress or high arousal behaviors. Thank you again for watching and taking the time to write in! Best, Alyssa Rose
Thank you for such a helpful video, Alyssa! I have a 4-year old 60 lb husky (rescued about 2 years ago) who I need to train for a 9.5 hr international flight from Seattle to London in about 1-2 months time - we previously had crate training lessons but he didn’t take to it easily, unfortunately the move is fast approaching and can’t be postponed.
We are training in short lessons multiple times a day now to prepare for the flight but I also fear that his size and anxiety can cause him to try to escape the crate during the flight and potentially injure himself in the process (he previously had an incident escaping from a wire crate).
In addition to the training would it be advisable to also try medication such as Benadryl to help relax him during the flight?
Hey! I was just scrolling through comments and saw that I never had a chance to respond to your question. How did your husky do on the flight? - Alyssa Rose
My kitchen island, glass decorations and expensive victorian furniture are ruined and this is my last resort. Thousands of dollars gone.
Oh no! I'm sorry to hear that. Does your dog have separation anxiety? Would you be interested in any additional support/ guidance? I teach online classes to help dogs work through anxiety related behavior issues. Let me know if this is something that would be of interest to you, and I can send more information. My website is www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa
Please what if we must leave him alone for 6 hours while we're at school and mum at work
The best thing for longer departures is to create a confinement space in a central area of your home. I usually try to use the kitchen whenever possible. You can also use exercise pens as a confinement area. Confinement areas still require training to help dogs feel comfortable staying in this space, but this is a better choice for longer departures because it gives them more space to move. Crates at night are usually not a problem but if dogs are crated for longer stretches during the day (more than 1-2 hours) you may see behavior issues develop as a result of boredom/ frustration.
About how long does this process take start to finish? I'm just bought a kennel and am starting training tonight.
Devin Sortor hi! the timeline depends on the dog, their history with the crate and your level of patience in training. The dog in this video was a street dog that was shipped from Athens to San Diego without any training. It took about 2.5 months to help him overcome his fear. Keep your sessions short, but be consistent. I did 5 minute sessions 2 or 3 times each day in preparation for another international flight. The goal was to help him be as comfortable as he could be with the crate, so that it became a source of security instead of a source of anxiety. Best of luck with your training. - Alyssa Rose
Very helpful thank you!
My friend crates her Pug at least 8 hours, 5 days a week. Gets no walk or exercise. Screams like a pig being killed. When he gets out, he screams again and run around like a headless chicken. What to do???
We have a rescue girl, i think i will try this for her as night time she gets into trouble
awesome! Let me know how it goes, or if you have questions. - Alyssa Rose
?: I want to start working with my dog on crate training. We have a collapsible wire crate and we'll only be using it for like 2-3 hours while we're working & only for 2-4 days so not very much b/c we mostly work at home. My question though is my boyfriend doesn't want the crate set up all the time.. is okay to be putting the crate away when not in use?
Hi Aimee, if the plan is to use the crate for separation when you leave the house - I would be cautious about folding it up and taking it out in anticipation of leaving. This will become a departure cue. Your dog will probably start to become anxious while you set it up, knowing that he is about to be left alone. If you are using a crate for separation you would want the crate to become a place that he goes to rest and relax in during the day (when you're home) or even at night when he is likely to be at his calmest. This would be impossible if it's being put away. That being said, have you considered gating off your kitchen instead? This would give him a little bit more space to move around. Though it still requires conditioning exercises, most dogs take to this set up a little bit easier/ faster. Hope this is helpful. - Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Thank you so much for responding! Very informative answer. I've convinced my partner to keep the crate out for our furbaby. ❤️
Thanks for this video. I am about to start crate training my 6 yr old Jack Russell X so he can travel by plane when we move in about a years time, it's a 4 hour flight not including the pre and post flight time required in the crate. Being that he is a highly anxious dog I thought a year would be enough time for him to be comfortable. Your video has given me confidence that he and I will get this right :)
Stacey C thanks for watching! Keep me posted on how it goes and if you run into any road blocks. Best, Alyssa Rose
So how did the move end up with the doggo?
I plan on crate training so when I get a second dog they can co exist without having to interact for a while. Trying to make them meeting go more smoothly and neutral Im hoping?
Hey! Thanks for watching. Crate training is definitely a helpful skill to have - particularly if your dog ever needs to spend the night at the vet or if your dog ever needs crate rest with an injury. When introducing a second dog into your home you can use the crate for sleep routines. I would space the crates 5-10 feet apart to minimize stress. It is ideal to use the crate with both dogs when they are both relatively relaxed/ calm. Be careful NOT to use a crate when one dog is loose in the house, and the other is crated. In this case the confinement could create frustration/ anxiety and lead to altercations when the dogs are together. A baby gate would be a better way to separate two dogs. This allows for more freedom of movement, as well as, choice and control in their environment. Exercise pens can be used for more open floor plans. Hope this is helpful! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Well done training video!! It's working great with our new 8 year old rescue.
My 5 month old settles herself in her crate fairly well if I leave the room, but at bed time she has a hard time settling in the crate when we are trying to go to bed. Any ideas on why this may be?
Hey! Thanks for watching. Do you close the crate door at night? A lot of puppies/ dogs become anxious when they feel confined. The fact that she settles in the crate during the day is a good sign. You might try puppy proofing the room and leaving the crate door open at night. Another option is to use a harness and a 5 foot leash to tether the puppy to the leg of the bed. This way they are able to walk in and out of the crate as they choose but they are less likely to chew or have accidents. If you have to close the crate then you can save a special chewy that can help your puppy to develop calm, positive associations within a closed door crate. For more support or online training classes you can go to my website www.legendsdogtraining.com
Hi. I am travelling with my 5.5 years labrador and it be a 28hours flight. Its been 1.5 months that his trainer have been patiently crate training him but he does sits more than 5 10 mins. Now I have to travelling in next 15 days. So I just leave him in his crate for 30 to 45 min and he continously barks non stop along with scratching his paws. In dire need of an expert help. Can any one suggest anything.
Thanks. This video should help 🤙🐕
I found this to be very helpful, with clear and concise instructions. Hopefully it will help my dog who has severe thunder and fireworks phobia and will find the crate to be her safe haven. Thanks very much.
Hi Nancy! So glad this was helpful. Open door crates can be a great safe space for a dog that is fearful of thunder and fireworks. You can also teach her to use it in this way by making a list of mild stressors. You might then expose her to one of these low level stressors and reinforce her generously for going to an open door crate during these controlled sessions.
For dogs that are sensitive to sounds I am always sure to do short exposure whenever possible (5 seconds) and then only 1 or 2 repetitions in a single day. Too many repetitions can be counter-productive. Little by little and you might see her coping skills improve.
If you are ever in need of a more structured approach you can go to my website - www.legendsdogtraining.com - I have online classes that take you through a step by step program, all the training is specifically designed to work through stress related behavioral concerns. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. It's greatly appreciated. Best, Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining thank you so much for your kind reply and help--I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. I am so glad to know about your website and will read about your online classes and help with behavioral issues. Best, Nancy
@@nancygrossman1510 wonderful, hope for the opportunity to connect with you through training. Mat work would be most beneficial for sound sensitivity. Best wishes, Alyssa
Music is too loud! Otherwise good video
Thanks for watching, and for the feedback - appreciate it! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Thank you very helpful!
G. C. Thank you for taking the time to comment, good luck with your training. - Alyssa Rose
Hi, thx for the video, it's helpful! I'm currently training my 11 year old dog, quickly she seemed confortable going in the crate disassembled so I added the top and again she seemed comfortable going in and sit and lay down, after two days she went inside by herself and take some napes so I thought it was pretty much done so the next day I decided to try with the door and start training with the door closed and leave for 10 to 20 seconds she didn't show any signs of stress (she easily stress) or anything and she stays inside when we exercice door open door closed, but she doesn't go in the crate by herself anymore :( she checks with two paws inside or just her head to had some sniff but that's it, so I decided to remove the door for some weeks and keep training, I hope I didn't screw the thing, I will follow your video step by step and take more time even if she seems comfortable. We're moving overseas mid october, I hope she will feel comfortable enough by this time.
Hey! It sounds like you're on the right track. I love that you are taking it slow, and that you went back to a more basic version of the training when she become nervous. The best way to introduce the closed door is to pair it with a time that she is already relaxed. Give her a special chewy in the evening when you are reading a book or resting nearby. You could also put the crate next to your bed, and encourage her to sleep in it at night. This would be the fastest way to get her comfortable resting inside for longer stretches of time. The other thing to note here is that you always want to focus on one new variable at a time. For example, closing the door and leaving the room might have been too much, too soon. She'll likely do better if you focus on the closed door first, while you stay in close proximity. Good luck! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legenddogtraining.com
Great video Alyssa, thank you. I'm sharing this with my students.
So glad you found it helpful. Thank you for taking the time to write this kind message, very much appreciated.
I have heard it is not necessary to crate train older dogs ? But I just bought a new crate to start over for his anxiety.
Thank you Alyssa for this very structured tutorial. I have a long haired daschunds who look just like the one in the video. She is unfortunately developing symptoms of intervertebral disc disease and the vet has recommended that she rests in a crate with no movement. So I cannot take slow approach you are taking in that video. I have made a makeshift crate until the real one arrives from Amazon in a couple of days. I dread how she will take it to sleeping in it tonight! But will do my best to implement some of the steps you recommend . Any tips to fit my circumstances would be fab! ❤️
Hi, does your pup have negative associations with a crate from past experiences? If not, this might go faster than you expect. If she needs to be on crate rest, you'll need her to be calm and relaxed in the crate so I - personally - would avoid using it in practical situations until she is happily going in and out on her own. The stress and tension associated with anxiety and frustration could be counterproductive. To accelerate progress, I would be using her breakfast and dinner and high value meaty, nutritious foods (like boiled chicken, diced into small pieces) to help her LOVE the crate. If she does have prior negative associations, and seems suspicious of the training, you might have better luck sectioning off your kitchen, and using that as a starting point. I'm a similar situation with my terrier and when I'm home with her, I just keep her tethered to me, with a comfy bed placed right next to me. I carry her up and down stairs and on and off furniture, and I keep her leash when she has to go potty outside. I'll be curious to hear how this goes! Keep me posted. - Alyssa www.legendsdogtraining.com
loved the vid and cant wait to implement what ive learned for my 10 month rescue. only question is what kind of treats are you using and where should i have the dog sleep at night while crate training?
Hey! When possible I try to use portions of the dog's meals, if it holds enough value for the dog. Otherwise string cheese (low fat for dogs that are predisposed to pancreatitis) is an easy training treat, I also like Happy Howie's food rolls but I think they're temporarily unavailable. If you have a puppy or young dog that might have accidents or become destructive you can have an open door crate next to your bed. In some cases I back tie the puppy with a harness and leash to the bed frame so that they can easily go in and out of the crate but they can't get into any other trouble. This gives the puppy the opportunity to choose the crate and can set the stage for that calm, relaxed association we're hoping for. Hope this helps! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
@@legendsdogtraining huge help! thank you so much for replying!!!
@@JimSlim7031 happy to help!
Hi Alyssa, thanks so much for this incredibly helpful video. We are moving from Beijing to NY in 6 weeks and while I've already started crate training our dog I think I pushed him too hard. I have one more question: What do you recommend for increasing the time periods of keeping the gate closed? 1 minute intervals? How quickly should you increase the duration if your dog seems fine? Thanks a lot and all the best.
Hi! So glad you found this video helpful. Two ways that you can start to increase time. 1. Planned nap time. Choose a time during the day where your dog is normally ready to nap. Sit next to him and read a book. If your dog is doing well with 1minute during training - you can sit and read next to him for 5 minutes. Increase in 5 minute intervals as long as he seems comfortable. 2. Place the crate next to your bed, and start having him sleep in there over night. The goal is to have him associate the crate with rest and relaxation. If he becomes distressed: barking, scratching or biting at the gate, or stress whining for more than 1-2 minutes -- go back to an easier variation of the training in future sessions. Sometimes this means going back to the beginning training steps for 2-3 days. It's better to build positive associations in the days and weeks before the flight than to try and push the training too fast and associate it with stress, frustration or anxiety. If you ever have any other behavioral training needs - my website is legendsdogtraining.com I teach online classes you and your dog might enjoy. Best, Alyssa Rose
Great video love all the details
Thank you
Thank you for watching. And for taking the time to comment. Truly appreciated. - Alyssa Rose
Really nice job with so many important and very helpful tips. Thank you very much!!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for taking the time to comment. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
I know that it sucks being in a crate. But one must work in order to have a home and take care of the dog. 🤔 It's stressful.
Hey, thanks for watching and writing in. I typically use crates at night for younger dogs. Beyond that I like to crate train for potential vet visits or travel. For puppies or adult dogs that need to be left alone during the day - and are likely to destroy things or have accidents - I really like using gated kitchens or sturdy exercise pens. I used to use crates during the day when I had to leave the house, but now I try to come up with safe, secure set ups that give the dog a little more room to move. Thanks again for writing in. Best, Alyssa Rose
Hi Alyssa, thanks for the video - it was wonderfully helpful! My girlfriend and I just moved in together and she’s got a cat, but my dog isn’t taking too kindly to them. I know it’ll take time, but can a crate help with that? My dog has a higher prey drive. (Lunges, shakes, whines) cheers!
Hi Tyler! I would not use the crate for training with the cat. This can backfire and create more frustration. I would do a slow integration. Set up the living space with double barriers separating the dog and cat. For example, one barrier could be a door and the other could be an extra tall baby gate with vertical bars. Do short 10 minute training sessions that look like this: ruclips.net/video/m-Tqd-t6A8o/видео.html
Train once or twice each day and then use solid management in-between. When you do train make sure that the dog is on a secure harness and leash. If you need more support in training, let me know. I teach online classes for behavioral training. You can find them on my website legendsdogtraining.com
Hope this is helpful! Best, Alyssa
My dogs 4 this year
I have a question my dog has been sleeping in a wire crate since she has been 6 months old. I never have shut her in it Im a stay at home wife. So I've house trained her she loves sleeping in it. Its 22 inches wide and 36 inches long. But I've been thinking about a pet carrier now that she's 5. Would that be ok and big enough for her to turn and move around in as she sleeps. Also is it as durable? I also put her a nice soft dog bed inside. Thank you😊
My dog Tucker likes going in his crate but doesn’t like it when I close the door and he can still see me. So, he likes going in and laying down because I have treats and things that keep him busy. But it’s when it closes. That’s what he hates
My dogs crate doesnt have a removable section.
Thank you very much. It was very helpful. I appreciate it. 🙏🙏🙏
My dog is smart and knows I want her in the crate so she doesnt even want to eat the food I place in the crate but will wait to eat outside of it
but i work 8-5 and live alone
Hi Cassandra, Crates are easily over-used. If you have a dog that is destructive or having accidents then it's better to create an area in a central area of your home that is dog proofed. In some cases it works well to use exercise pens to protect areas that your dog could damage. For example, using an exercise pen to create an arc and protect the front door from getting scratched. The same thing can be done around a bookshelf, or tv/ computer stand where there are a lot of wires. Over-use of crates creates more behavior issues than it solves.
Best, Alyssa www.legendsdogtraining.com
I have a 2 yr old corgi and a 10 month old corgi. The puppy is going in and out if both crates and seems to love them/not care. But my older one has 2 paws in and is scared…also the younger one seems to kinda push him out of the way. Should I just push past it with the older one? Or is there something I can do
Hey! I'm so sorry for not seeing this comment earlier. If it's still relevant - it's always a good idea to go at your dog's pace to build a genuine feeling of safety and security with the crate. I use crates for puppies at night and larger play pens during the day if/when I need to leave a puppy alone. I rarely use crates for adult dogs, but I do crate train for unanticipated events that may pop up in the future - like traveling or if a dog has to stay at the vet. Read your dog's body language and work with your dog at the point BEFORE he exhibits fearful body language. For example, if your dog has two paws in but is leaning back on his haunches then I would be reinforcing for approaching the crate (ie. provide 10 treats in rapid succession) and then say "all done" and let your dog move away and process the training. Working with your dog below that fear threshold is key. Hopefully this makes sense! I tried to provide an example of this in the video. Best wishes to you in your training. If you ever need more formal help you can check out my website - www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa
So does this only work with a hard plastic kennel? We have collapsing metal cages.
Most of our dogs love their kennels but our beegle (rosie) cries constantly.
Hey John! Try starting with the open door exercises with the wire crate - where the goal is to just have your beagle step into the crate and turn around. Pay attention to body language and stick with the training at that level up until the point that she seems to be happy and confident walking in. In the meantime, try not to use the crate if she's clearly distressed by it. If I am raising a puppy I put a closed door crate next to my bed so that the puppy associates the crate with rest/ relaxation, but still feels safe in close proximity to me. During the day I usually opt for an exercises pen or I use a gate to section off the kitchen. Every situation is different but I rarely use crates during the day when the dog is home alone, I prefer to give the dog more space to move. I crate train in the event that a dog has to stay over night at the vet or if I ever need to use a crate for travel purposes, like flying in a plane. Hope this helps! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Thank you. So helpful 👍🥰😁
Glad it was helpful!
Humanizing dogs and these extraordinary training BS time consuming wah wah is why poor kids can’t have dogs anymore. Poor kids need dogs.
Hey Chris! Thanks for taking the time to watch and write in. This dog featured in this video was found as a street dog in Greece. He was forced into a crate in order to complete an international flight from Athens to San Diego. The dog was panicked during that trip and continued to exhibit a very high level of fear associated with the crate to the point that he wouldn't even enter a room which contained a crate. Two years later the dog needed complete the same international flight back to Athens. The owners were concerned that he wouldn't be able to complete the flight. The training you see in this video helped to reframe the dog's understanding of the crate. He trotted into the crate at the airport and settled inside. It became a safe place for him to rest during a very stressful event. It was a great success. - Alyssa Rose
How do you do this with a wire foldable crate? I’m also trying to train my 9 yo anxious dog to enjoy his crate and trying to start before we travel. I can’t disassemble mine as it folds on hinges. What do you recommend?
Hi! Thanks for watching. How soon do you travel? Keep the door tied open so that it doesn't move or make noise. Place a flat mat inside the crate, avoid bulky bedding. Skip to the part in the video where it talks about reinforcing your dog at the point where you still see confident body language with the assembled crate. If you are "asking too much" you'll notice that your dog may be reaching out her/his neck or stretching back legs to take the treats. Don't over-do the training. I usually train in "sets" - giving approximately 8-10 pea sized treats per set, with a 1 minute break in-between. The break should allow your dog to relax, get a drink of water. Don't offer food or coax your dog to interact with the crate in any way during the break. Often times giving breaks will yield greater curiosity during your next set. I usually do 4 sets per training session, and then go for a walk or do a play session. I hope these ideas help! Once dogs are easily going in and out of the crate you can usually build on time more easily. Happily going in and out is the most critical first step. If you need more guidance you can always go to my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com I offer classes and consultations.
does this apply when trying to sleep through the night? my dog is now 1 year and 7 months and didn't really crate train him properly ; he screams in the crate in the living room but I moved it to my bedroom since I thought he wanted to be closer to me but he still cries and barks and I'm not sure what to do.
Does your dog destroy things or have accidents if he's not in the crate? I really like the fact that you moved your crate into your bedroom. Whenever possible, I will usually position the crate right next to my bed. You could try to leave the crate door open and put a soft blanket inside the crate. Remove any other dog beds in the room and see if your dog chooses to sleep in their when he doesn't feel trapped. If you do this in combination with the training described in the video I think you might find that you can help your dog see the crate as being a positive place to rest. I rarely use or recommend closed door crates for every day use. It's more for the possibility that a dog may one day need to stay overnight at the vet's office, or possible travel by plane. If your dog is destroying things or having accidents - there may be other ways to manage the behavior without causing so much frustration/ distress. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
If you want a dog. better take a week off to train it. I adopted a dog from my friend to breed it but i went to work right away so I can't spend this time training it and that sucks
Hey! Thanks for watching. How's your dog doing? If you ever need more support in training you can check out my website www.legendsdogtraining.com I have online classes that can help dogs work through anxious behaviors. Best of luck in your training. - Alyssa
My dog sleeps in his crate and will go in and out on cue, but gets anxious for any extended period in the crate. How to I get him comfortable for more than a few minutes? I give him a big bone or Kong full of treats, but they are quickly forgotten as soon as I leave the room
Hey Sarah! I'm so sorry for not seeing this comment earlier. If it's still relevant - it's always a good idea to go at your dog's pace to build a genuine feeling of safety and security with the crate. I use crates for puppies at night and larger play pens during the day if/when I need to leave a puppy alone. I rarely use crates for adult dogs, but I do crate train adults for unanticipated events that may pop up in the future - like traveling or if a dog has to stay at the vet. Work with your dog at the point BEFORE he is pushed "over-threshold." Working with your dog below that anxiety threshold is key. This may not be applicable with your dog at this point, but maybe this response will help someone else that is having a similar issue. If you ever need more formal help you can check out my website - www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa
Did you find it any harder crate training your daschund? We have a 7 month old daschund and her separation anxiety is through the roof so really struggling with getting her to sleep on the crate
Hey! These aren't actually my dogs, they belong to my client. Interestingly enough the dachshund had a lot of anxiety with crates because it had been used for night time sleep. When I first started working with these clients one of the things that we started focusing on is helping the dachshund learn to feel calm/ safe/ happy with the crate.To make this happen the clients stopped using the closed door crate at night. At the same time they started working on exercises (like you see in the video) teaching the dachshund to go in and out of the crate. At the beginning she was so suspicious and fearful of being locked inside that we had to go very very very slow. Little by little she made headway. You can see in this video she loves the crate. It takes time, but my recommendation is that crate should not be about teaching the dog to tolerate the crate but rather to see it as a safe space. The crate can still be in your bedroom at night, but keep the door open. Do training during the day to build value for the crate. Make the crate the most desirable place to rest by removing other dog beds. If your dog is destructive during the day or has accidents when you leave the house you will probably find it easier to baby gate the kitchen, or to place an exercise pen in your living room. These larger spaces are more ideal for day time alone time. If your dog isn't destructive and isn't having accidents, you might find that leaving her with free range of your home helps with her anxiety. In these cases I will usually place an exercise pen around the front door, just in case the dog scratches at the door. You can also leave the blanket or pillow that she sleeps on at night in that main living area. A lot of dogs will gravitate to it when they feel stressed. Hope this helps! Here's my website if you want more info about formal training: www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa Rose
Thanks for this video, nice clear presentation. We are considering crate training for use in the car as my dog has built up significant sensitivity to the backseat (where she goes now). She is not crate trained and seems to have some confinement issues when we rescued her around 18 months ago so we stopped using any kind of crate. Is the best path to crate train in the house and then move it into the car or start the crate off in the car? Appreciate your expertise and any comments…. Thanks!
Hi Eileen! I'm sorry I missed your comment earlier. Has your dog made any progress with the crate or with the car? If not, here are a few tips that might help. I would work with the crate and car separately to start. The training schedule and the starting point would depend on where your dog is presenting any level of confidence. For example, does your dog show fear when approaching the car? Or does your dog jump right in without hesitation? I always train at the point where I see calm, confident responses to training. If the dog is stretching their neck or back legs to get the food - the criteria is too high and we need to back it up. The same concepts apply to the crate. One other note is that I really like using training mats, I usually refer to this as Mat Work. By teaching dogs to feel calm and relaxed with a training mat we can then generalize that training to many different contexts. Mat work can be used to create calm associations with the crate, with the car, at the vet, at the park or when guests come over. It's a singular skill set with many functions. If you ever feel that you need additional support or guidance you can always check out my online classes. Here's a link: legendsdogtraining.com/online-classes/ Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment, much appreciated. Best, Alyssa Rose, CPDT-KA
So what about the people who have crate that don’t come apart
Hi! It depends on the dog. Not all dogs need the crate to be dismantled. You might be able to skip those steps. If a dog has a strong aversion the crate I would recommend purchasing one that does dismantle so that you’re able to take it slow. If you end up doing any training with this, let me know. Would love to hear how it goes. - Alyssa
Hi, Alyssa. my 8 month puppy become attached to the crate, he will be more calmed and sleep better inside a closed crate. Even though I opened it , at night he will willingly sleep inside the crate rather than in his doggy bed. Why is it ?
I plan to replace to bigger crate even though i think he won't get bigger in size ( a chiweenie )
Very helpful vid..but not what I wanted to hear..2-3 hours max time? That blows my plan of getting a crate for him for while I'm gone to work..He has terrible separation anxiety and has literally broken two windows ..right through the glass to a 5 foot drop. And ran off to find me..Both times he came home within 5-10 minutes after I got home..I thought a crate would be a safe option..but 8 hrs for him if the lady say 2 or 3 worries me..He will kill himself..I need Cesar Millan..
I. So screwed.
Hey Tony, That's scary, poor guy. How old is he?
When it comes to separation anxiety I do not recommend crate training as a solution. The majority of dogs will actually become more distressed if you are combining the anxiety of being confined within a small space, and the anxiety associated with separation. Instead, I would be trying to condition your dog to a gated space in the central area of your home using solid, extra tall gates, with vertical bars. He is likely to learn how to jump the gate which is why you should not use this area until you have spend sufficient time conditioning him to be calm first. He should associate this area with rest and relaxation.
Confinement training and separation training is a process, there's no silver bullet fix. It will take time. While you are working with him on this training you might look at having him stay with a friend or family member during the day, or see if there is someone in your neighborhood that might be able to do pet sitting. Many people are looking for a job like this that would allow them to study and earn a little side cash at the same time. Of course, friends and family that would be willing to do this at no charge would be an even more ideal solution.
Hi Tony, You might find this video helpful, it looks at training that helps dogs learn to be calmer in a gated area: ruclips.net/video/Ra6_W2EHWEU/видео.html
Thanks Alyssa!
hey! I know you! Thanks for watching. :-)
super helpful thank you
This video sounds like it would help a bunch, but I can’t remove the top off my crate. My current foster does the stretch eating with 2 paws in right now but if she’s currently eating and I touch her back feet gently and say “feet in please” she’ll put her feet in and I can close the door and do some training with her for when I open the door to not rush out (she only doesn’t rush out if I put her in for like a few mins but if she’s in there longer she still rushes out). I was wondering if you have any tips on getting her to put all her 4 paws in without me having to physically touch her? I would say she’s semi comfortable with the crate at this point but not entirely and I don’t want her to get stressed out by it 😔 she’s a bit of a larger dog even though she’s only 8 months, but she’s definitely not a 10 week old puppy that I’m training, but we tend to utilize her crates for when we have to leave the house and bedtime, I do hang out with her in the crate in the afternoon here and there to get her more comfortable with it, and she naps in it for her afternoon nap sometimes, so I’m not sure if I should just keep doing what I’m doing or if there’s anything I can improve on?
Hi Stephanie! I would offer food at the point where the dog is *not stretching for it. For example if you place or hold the food 3 feet and you see her stretching, place or hold the food 2 feet in (or less if need be). I will typically have 10 treats per set and then give the dog a 1 minute break to think/process the training. By working at the dogs comfort level you will see greater confidence/ comfort. You might notice that during a break she will even go back to investigate the crate (let her do so, without pressure to enter). Be patient. It might take take multiple sessions to see progress, but the results will be stronger if you go at her pace. If possible, avoid closing the door while you’re working on building confidence with going inside. I prefer using a gated kitchen or an exercise pen for alone time in the house with young dogs - this offers more movement and options. Training with the closed door should only come once she is very freely walking in and out of the crate like it’s a fun game. Hope this is helpful! Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
@@legendsdogtraining xpens don’t work with her as she will literally jump and push it until it falls over (even if it falls on her) 😩 but I’ll definitely try this, thanks! 😬
This is such a useful video! We're referring to this guide for our 3 year old dog who is an anxious mixed breed. I have a question:
He seems to be stuck before step 2 I.e. Two paws in. He happily eats from the disassembled crate if it's within reach. But won't follow it or put his two paws in. It's been over 10 days and I'm not sure how to get him through to putting both his paws into the crate?!
Thank you 🙏
Hi! Here are a few more tips. 1. Breaks. Provide 8-10 high value treats and then give your dog a break. I usually put one minute on the clock. Stay sitting next to the crate, but don’t offer food and try to coax your dog to approach or enter. Just give your dog time to process, get a drink of water, or rest. I usually do 4 training “sets” with a 1 minute break in between each set before ending the session. This will help make sure that your sessions are short and sweet with plenty of time to regroup. 2. Delivery of reinforcement. Make sure that you are delivering the food at a point that your dog still appears comfortable. For example, deliver food at a location that allows your dog to eat ** without ** stretching his neck or stretching out his back legs. Stretching is a sign that you’re working past your dog’s comfort zone and can make your training plateau. 3. Reinforcement rate. Reinforce every 2-3 seconds. If the reinforcement rate is too slow it can create undesired stress/ frustration and your dog might opt out of the exercise. 4. Mat. Find a good flat mat to place on the floor of the crate. It should offer good traction. You could even teach your dog to “target” the mat when it is outside of the crate (ie. feed breakfast or dinner on it for 7-10 days) and then place it back into crate. This might act as a helpful building block. Keep me posted on how he’s doing. Here’s my website if you are interested in online classes for anxious and reactive dogs: www.legendsdogtraining.com
@@legendsdogtraining Thank you so much, will try this!
How long in between session? Like putting the top back on.
Hey! Thanks for watching. I usually do 1-2 sessions each day. It’s ideal if each session is about 7-10 minutes. And at least half of that is “break time” where the dog is given an opportunity to just hang out, get a drink of water and process the training. Let me know how your training goes. Best, Alyssa
@@legendsdogtraining Thanks! We just took the top off & after the second time, she actually went all the way in!! What a great start! Our pet had been longing herself to get treats before. She’s crate trained in a wire crate; we’re trying to get the plastic one so we can travel safely in a vehicle. Thanks again!
@@cbrwn4285 that’s awesome! One other thing to consider is the popping sensation/ sound of these hard plastic crates vs wire crates. Sometimes putting a mat beneath the hard plastic crate can dull the pop and facilitate the training. Keep me posted on how she’s doing with the training! Best, Alyssa
Completed all the steps and successfully got our dog to get in her plastic kennel! Didn’t take long at all; thanks for posting the video!
this is very helpful
Saving this video. We rescued a 4 month old puppy. He goes into his crate to sleep at night with no issues, but during the day is still a work in progress. Like that this is step by step instruction. Thank you.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I really like having a gated area during the day (something that is larger than a crate, but still easily puppy proofed). If you are curious to see a video of what this would look like and how to train puppies to be calm inside you can watch this video: ruclips.net/video/HS8iOoGT5GE/видео.html Thanks again for writing in! Best, Alyssa Rose
Very helpful!
Hey! Thanks for watching, so glad you found it helpful! Reach out at any time if you have questions. If you are ever curious for more structured training programs, here's my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com Thank you again for watching, and taking the time to comment - it's appreciated. Best, Alyssa Rose
Got a 9 month old pit from the shelter. He wants NO part of the crate (mine is metal). So... I put his food dish in there with dinner tonight. He will eventually get hungry enough to go in there and eat, then he'll see it isn't a big deal.
Hi Shawn, this could work for a dog that had a mild aversion/ fear of the crate. If your dog’s aversion is more serious - I wouldn’t expect to see much of a progression past stretching his neck out and taking 1-2 steps in to get the food and go. Could be wrong, let me know how it goes. Best, Alyssa Rose
Hey, how is your dog doing? Did he overcome his fear of the crate?
Thanks for your helpful video. I was wondering, what kind of dog is it in the video?
Robert Gordon thanks for watching and for your kind response. The dog in the video is a mix. His family found him as a stray in the countryside in Greece. To me he looks a lot like a fox red Labrador retriever. Best, Alyssa Rose
Excellent advice
Thanks for watching and thanks for your kind comment, greatly appreciated. Best, Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
Your crate is open mine is closed:/
How's your training going? If you are not able to dismantle the crate you can still follow this approach. In fact, not all dogs need to start with a dismantled crate. If you are ever in need of more structured training - feel free to check out my online classes on my website: www.legendsdogtraining.com
Just curious what treats did you use? Brand and name please?
Hi, I was using Happy Howie's food rolls (turkey, lamb, beef) combined with dry dog food - I think it was Acana. This is the brand of dry food my clients were already feeding him. Hope this is helpful! - Alyssa Rose www.legendsdogtraining.com
❤👍
Thanks for watching! Appreciate the positive feedback. If you’re ever interested in checking out my website, it’s www.legendsdogtraining.com Best, Alyssa Rose
I have a 2 year old German shepherd we rescued 2 months ago. I want to introduce her to a crate for when we have company or go to visit family that has dogs. Otherwise she pretty much has freedom. These tips were great and should help our training process. I didn't realize you didn't just stick them in a crate and that was that. I'm looking forward to getting the crate in the next few days and beginning the training so we'll be ready by Christmas. Thank you!
Hi Sandra! Thanks for your comment! Some dogs will struggle to be in crate when people or dogs are around that they don’t know very well. Although I still think crate training is a good idea for travel or if your dog is ever injured and needs crate rest. Way to be pro-active in your training, very smart! Keep me posted on her training. - Alyssa Rose
@@legendsdogtraining thanks for the reply. She has done very well in her training and usually acts very calm, which makes me think she has done it before. We are really worried about her actions in a crate with 2 strange dogs around her while we go off and leave her, so we have opted not to do that. We may need it, however, when she has her first injection for heart worms in February. Thanks again.
Sandra Gail Humphrey that sounds like a solid plan. It can definitely be challenging for dogs to be in a crate when they’re around unfamiliar dogs, but the crate will be a great help for her heartworm treatment. Happy training, and let me know if you ever need any additional support. Best, Alyssa Rose
Psychos crate there dogs
Hey Timmy, as a trainer I very rarely use or recommend closed crates as a daily part of a dog’s life. But like the video says ... it can be 100% necessary if you ever plan to travel by plane with a dog, or if an unexpected emergency occurs and they have to stay over night at the vet. Thanks for watching and taking the time to write in. ;) - Alyssa Rose
*Their
Also, my dog usually has a 10ft by 10ft outdoor kennel with a cedar dog house when I am at work or gone from the house but I am having to quickly crate train her because I have to go to work but we currently have negative temperatures and she can't be left outside nor can be left to roam the house. So yeah, sometimes you have to crate a dog.
psychos dont know how to use the correct “their” 💀
Excellent, thanks so much !
Glad it was helpful!