crate training... need advice

Okay so we just got Jedi today and tonight is our first crate night. Well for like 30 minutes or maybe longer he cries, growls, bites the cage or his bed, etc. My question is... how long does this go on for before they're comfortable with the whole crate thing? a night? a week?

Also at night when we crate him and go to sleep... how often should we still be taking him out to go to the bathroom? every 3 hours? or do we wait for him to tell us?

Re: crate training... need advice

It took Peanut about a week to get used to sleeping in the crate at night. I slept on the floor next to the crate for that week so he knew I was right there.

He had A LOT of accidents in his crate in the beginning. But, I forgot how I resolved that!

I would take him out right before you guys are going to bed.

Re: crate training... need advice

I hope it wasn't too rough a night

Re: crate training... need advice

Usually about a week. You may want to put an old alarm clock (the kind that ticks) in the crate with him for comfort.
At first, I would bring him out every few hours and then see if you can extend it to all night.

Re: crate training... need advice

was the crate next to your bed? at first we had it in the kitchen and went through about 8 hours of crying...as soon as we moved it into the bedroom next to the bed she was totally content....also because we could put our hand near the crate so she could lick it.

Re: crate training... need advice

Re: crate training... need advice

Awwww... poor baby. He'll get used to it. Keeping it in the room is a good idea. If he's making noise, take him outside to potty throughout the night. Our dog did well once we moved her crate to the bedroom- and she'd start shifting around and whimpering when she needed to go potty. It was funny- that first night, neither one of us slept and we'd both jump up to take her out.

Re: crate training... need advice

Re: crate training... need advice

She cried the first two nights, but she was in the kitchen. Right when we moved her in the bedroom she was fine. I took her out when she told us-it all gets better-I promise!!!! When I first got her I couldnt sleep, I thought she was going to wake up crying-now she is 8 months and sleeps until whatever time we do-Good Luck :)

Re: crate training... need advice

Sounds like he's already got the hang of "no poop/no pee in the crate"- so he'll let you know when he's gotta go.

Re: crate training... need advice

we crate trained our second dog and I guess we were in the minority, b/c she went into her crate with no problems and has never had any accidents till this day in it.
The first week was a little rough...we kept the crate by our bed and usually around 5 am...she would start freaking out and wanting out....since she'll stay in there till we get up and let her out.

Re: crate training... need advice

Scout slept through the night since his first night home - in the crate, in the kitchen. He has never had an accident in the crate, and has never woken us up during the night. We have him out in the den with us until about 10 pm - we take him out for a final potty stop, then he goes in the crate and never protests. Actually now he is just confined to the kitchen - he sleep in his crate with the door open. He doesn't soil the litchen and still never cries. DH takes him out & feeds him before work at 6:30am. Then he sleeps again until about 8:30am when I get up.

We've been very lucky I think....

Re: crate training... need advice

I second the alarm or ticking clock. Put it under the bedding bit. Your puppy might be having a bit of separation anxiety in addition to adjusting to his new surroundings.