| • What type of crate do you use and what materials does your doberman lie on.
At the moment i am using a "furarri" crate for king. I actually have had it for a LONG time, and have never used it until the other day. Well, guess what, he out grew it. So, i am looking for a larger crate. I found a nice outdoor "kennel" that is the perfect size for him, so im going to pick that up when i get paid. I started working on the crate training with king yesterday, and he is already taking to it.
• How did you train your doberman to use the crate, how long did it take?
My method was simple. Make the crate a place of enjoyment and he will want to go in. First, I went to the store and bought a pack of hotdogs to use for treats/rewards. Then i would take a chunk, place it in the crate and tell king to go get it. At first he was leary, and would only go in just enough to grab it and then backed out. After one full hot dog, when he went in, i gave him a gental push on the bumb, and he walked in. i gave him a treat and said good boy. Now that he knows he doesnt need to be affraid, i started using the "In Crate" command since bed time is already used along with go home. I would then throw a hot dong in, tell king to "go in crate" and then get him to sit and stay for about 10 seconds. i did that about 10 times, then ended the session. That was yesterdays training. I will increase the time as days go by, until eventually, i add the door and then eventually close it.
The main reason i am crate traning him now instead of before is because i am going back to school, and i cant take him with me.
• What uses does the crate serve for you and how does your doberman see the crate? (bedroom, punishment, etc)
The crate will only be used for when im not in the house for now. Once he is more comfortable about being in there, i may add the use for punishment, although there isnt really anything to punish him for.
• When did you stop using the crate?
I stopped because i just didnt have the knowledge on training him. It wasnt working, king was getting upset, i was getting frustrated, and i thought it would be best to wait until i knew what i was doing.
• What techniques did you use to Housebreak/potty train you doberman? (puppy pads, etc)
Basically i took king out literally every two hours to pee and poo. I would make a huge deal about it when he did it outside. petting him, telling him how good he is, and giving him treats. If he had an accident in the house and i caught him, i would say his name loud and quick so that he would pretty much just stop dead in his tracks. I then picked him up, took him outside and whenhe finished outside, he got more praise. It actually worked REALLY well. didnt take very log at all.
• How long did it take it become 100% reliable, no more mistakes.
Id say it took him until about 6 months before he because dead reliable. But that is because he was on meds that actually made him unable to control his bladder(so i found out)
• How does your Doberman alert you that they need to go out.
King will either hit his nose on the bell by the door, or stand infront of me and stare.
• Do they go on different surfaces and in new locations easily? (if traveling and no grass is available)
King will go where ever i tell him. He will pee on command, but i cant seem to get him to deficate on command. |