Town Hall Topic - Crate Training/Housebreaking - Page 2

**Kratty** · 12-25-2005, 10:17 AM

• What type of crate do you use and what materials does your doberman lie on.

We use the wire crate from Life Stages, it’s the large size that came with a divider that was very useful while my girl was growing up. She has a 2 inch crate pad that is very plush and comfy. She also has a full size fleece blanket covering the pad. We have a blanket that the top to make it more of a den for her.

• How did you train your doberman to use the crate, how long did it take?

I took me 4 nights to get her to stay in the crate and not cry during the night. We had the crate set up in the living room, where we spend most of the time. Since I work at home, I worked from the living where at least she could see me during the day. The first four nights were hell. I had to sleep next to the crate with the door opened, and my little, little girl would snuggle next to me. Once she fell asleep, I would gently move her in the crate. She would stay there the rest of the night. Soon, she learned this was her room.
And finally, I was able to get back upstairs and sleep in a real bed. After that, she would sleep the whole night in the crate.

During the day, I would put her in the crate for short periods and then started making them longer. Eventually, she started to go in it on her own when she was tired.

• What uses does the crate serve for you and how does your doberman see the crate? (Bedroom, punishment, etc)

Nikita sees her crate as her room. A place to go when she’s got bored, tired or wants to feel safe. If we are not paying ant attention to her, we always find her in her crate. It was our baby sitter while growing up. When ever we could not keep an eye on her, she was crated. This help with not letting her get into things she was not supposed to get in. We also used use it for time outs, when she was not being good. A 30 second time out did wonders. It was like, “Go to your room.” It broke the distraction and got her to settle down. Once she did that, she got her privilege back.

• When did you stop using the crate?

She is still using it today, at 15 months. She still sleeps in at night, but now with the door opened. She will soon be getter her own big, comfy doggy bed. Right now, she is maturing and sometimes barks in the night at what ever is outside. Closing her in the crates still helps when this occurs.

• What techniques did you use to Housebreak/potty train you doberman? (puppy pads, etc)
As a puppy she peed after anything she did. Waking up in the morning, after she eat, after and during play time, after naps, after everything. So at first, she was out every hour, then we increased the times as she got older. I wished I would have taken a few weeks of Pupturnity leave from work when we got her, but being a stay at home doberdad with a understanding boss helped a lot. We set her scheduled for potty, because as a puppy, it was really hard to see the signs and also they went pretty quick when they had too. While we were out with her getting her to go, we did the “hurry up” phrase in a very melodic style which taught her that it was time to go potty. Once she went, it was like getting selected for the Price is Right. Goodies galore, bells, whistles and streamers and praise.

• How long did it take it become 100% reliable, no more mistakes.

At one year she became totally reliable. She matured enough to control her bladder, she was giving us signs that she wanted to go out. She would hold it in many different situations. I think maturity has a lot to do with being reliable.

• How does your Doberman alert you that they need to go out.

She does the whole head in the lap, and she pulls her head back when you go and pet her. She also has a whinny whin when she can’t touch us. The other day out visiting my aunt, she scratched the rug a few times and sure enough, she had to go out. Seeing the signs is the most difficult thing to recognize.

• Do they go on different surfaces and in new locations easily? (if traveling and no grass is available)

We took her to so many different places as a pup that this helped her go on different surfaces. The hurry up song helps in getting her to go on different surfaces. She can go about any where now.

TomAndKing · 01-24-2006, 02:25 AM

• 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.

DobiLove · 02-12-2006, 07:21 PM

I havnt started crate training for jack and i dont think i will. Hes doing really good at going out side when he has to potty, he even whines at the door to go out. But still does have a few accidents (what you expect for a baby!). He doesnt sleep in a create or our bed due to still being little and not fully house trained. But he does sleep in his little puppy bed. It kinda like a create to him. H goes to it when hes tired and after playing and when he gets hurt (like earlier he decided he wanted to fly off the couch) And took off running to his bed. so i guess that can be considered his crate

. he is so far pretty easy to train.
Jamie.

Pippinislove · 02-12-2006, 10:26 PM

• What type of crate do you use and what materials does your doberman lie on.

I have used both wire crates and the plastic airline crates. The plastic airline crate is the "Furrari" line, the wire crate is from Precision Pet and is easily collapsible I got it at a garage sale for 40 dollars. It's a very large crate, bigger than what is needed for a Doberman.

• How did you train your doberman to use the crate, how long did it take?

I brought my dog home as a puppy and instantly got him used to it. He slept in there every night for quite awhile. The crate was in my bedroom but you couldn't see the bed, so for the first half of the first night I slept on the floor in front of the crate. It didn't take long at all, he only whined once (on the second night) and I never had issues getting him into the crate.

• What uses does the crate serve for you and how does your doberman see the crate? (bedroom, punishment, etc)

The crate was just a place to keep him safe and to help prevent potty accidents. For a while (before he was allowed on the bed to sleep) it served as a "bedroom" for him to sleep if he wanted to. We currently have both our crates set up in the house, the plastic Furarri one is in my room, and the wire one is in the computer room. It originally wasn't in here but we set it up because my dog had foot surgery and needed to stay off his feet for four weeks. Since I spend most of my time in here I decided it was the best place to set up the alternative crate.

• When did you stop using the crate?

Hard to say because I, for awhile, used it on and off. When he was around a year old I started letting him sleep on my bed instead of the crate but continued putting him in there when we left. After a month or so of that he had some anxiety problems and I was advised to put him back into his crate at night. I would say we've officially stopped crating him while we're away and at night since he was around a year and a half old, maybe two years. Really, I don't remember that well.

• What techniques did you use to Housebreak/potty train you doberman? (puppy pads, etc)

I strictly used a crate and prevention. He was taken outside about every 45 minutes and when I couldn't watch him I would put him into his crate. I also kept him on a leash at ALL TIMES, even in the house except if in the crate. This made it sooo much easier because he was connected to me at all times and it was easier to watch him since he couldn't get behind furniture. I also used positive reinforcement (play time) when he would potty outside. I didn't punish him for pottying in the house, if I caught him in the act I would pick him up and take him outside.

I also taught him the word "outside". Every time we passed through the doorway I would say "outside" so he would associate going outside with the word "outside", once he got that I would say "outside!" whenever I'd catch him pottying or about the potty in the house. Dunno if it helped at all though.

• How long did it take it become 100% reliable, no more mistakes.

I would say he was good from 4 or 5 months up until about 7 months, then we started "slip" on his training and he started to poo in the house. We stepped up on taking him outside more often.

He just recently had some nasty diahrrea and poo'd in the house while we were gone. I don't consider that an accident because if you *can't* hold it you can't hold it.

• How does your Doberman alert you that they need to go out.

He scratches at the door or sits and waits by the door. He'll also come up to you and stare at you while putting his paw on your knee/lap/arm.

• Do they go on different surfaces and in new locations easily? (if traveling and no grass is available)

No. Pip has never gone potty while on a day-trip. The only time he's gone potty has been on walks which started on our property when he *really* has to. He has gone on gravel and grass willingly, but only on cement twice when he really had to.

**Kratty** · 02-14-2006, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DobiLove

I havnt started crate training for jack and i dont think i will. Hes doing really good at going out side when he has to potty, he even whines at the door to go out. But still does have a few accidents (what you expect for a baby!). He doesnt sleep in a create or our bed due to still being little and not fully house trained. But he does sleep in his little puppy bed. It kinda like a create to him. H goes to it when hes tired and after playing and when he gets hurt (like earlier he decided he wanted to fly off the couch) And took off running to his bed. so i guess that can be considered his crate

. he is so far pretty easy to train.
Jamie.

Your a brave person, DobiLove....Crate training is a great tool to have in you bag of tricks. Its so much more than a sleeping place and a potty training tool. Its a great baby sitter when you don't have the time to watch them 100%. Especially when you need to leave them at home alone and don't want them to hurt themselves and not to eat the house. Also use it for traveling, taking to the vet, by yourself can be really intereseting. Keeping them under control. Its also a place they know is safe for them, which they can go to to be alone. And of course, when they need a "time out" because they are running around the house totally out of control, and being a puppy, this is going to happen. They learn that being put in a crate means to settle down. Its a very versatile tool, I could not live without.....Just my 2 cents......

DobiLove · 02-14-2006, 09:19 AM

hey i dont mind 2 cents.. lol..I have been thinking about it the past couple days. cause when ever i leave him in the kitchen when im to go somewheres he does make a mess with everything and he whines and howles a little funny LOL, but that cause hes stuck to my side all the time. i just have to see if i can get a crate for his growing body.. i think hes grown a couple inches in the two weeks we have had him heh.

MrDesi · 02-14-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2dobies

Never used a crate on any of my dogs. My wife wasnt working when we got Dar, so there was almost always someone home with her.
We have a huge dog bed/floor pillow that she lays on if she's not on the bed, on the couch, on the chair, etc. It's a sherpa-type top w/ cotton bottom, zippered and machine washable. Inner part is foam & cedar chips. She and Sasha both love it, and it's big enough for them both at the same time, if they feel like lying on the floor "like a dog"!
We used pads in the beginning for housebreaking, then switched to newspapers, because we were using up so many pads! Dobies pee a gallon at a time!! Also took her outside a lot--very often, in fact. As soon as she woke up, after she ate or drank, and numerous times during the day and evening 'just in case'. It took a while for me to recognise her teltale signs while she was a puppy.
I rewarded every pee or poo done outside, and when she had an accident in the house, I completely ignored her, and just cleaned it up without making a big deal of it. I didnt want her to start looking for attention, even negative attention, for peeing in the house.
By the time she was 6 months old, she was 100% reliable. I knew her 'schedule' and it worked out great. She knew that if she 'went' outside and not in the house, she would get rewarded for her actions.
Dar lets us know when she has to go outside now, by making a very distinctive "woof" that only means "gotta go!" If it's night time, or early morning and I am asleep, she wakes me up by actually saying "want out" (well, it sounds more like'waaaaaa owwwww', but I know that's what she's saying!
Dar hates to pee on pavement. Grass, dirt, snow, wood chips..ok. I've had to walk a pretty good distance for her while at a mall parking lot to find even a small square of grass! But if she has to go bad enough, she will go anywhere. She doesnt like people to watch her, either. If she can 'hide' behind a bush, a big rock, a tree, a sign...whatever, she's more at ease. That's my girl!!!

Exactly....almost word for word...!!!! Except my sis was always home, and I only have one dobie.

Naveen

DobiLove · 02-15-2006, 07:35 AM

I just started crate training jack last night due to he was crying in the kitchen cause his buddy was sleeping in the living room last night. So Jack got to use the crate last night and fell asleep immedietly when i put him in there. and he didnt wake up til about 5:30 when hubby got up, so i also got up and put him out. then he came back in and played for a few min. Then i put him back in the crate with a treat. But he wont go in by his self.. is that cause hes still new to it? I think im gonna go and get him a differnt crate cause the one i have is small (good size for him at the moment) But it has a small door to go into and i dont like that. i got it from a friend so its handy for the moment.
If anyone have any suggestions to help out with the training. it would be great.
Jamie.

**Kratty** · 02-15-2006, 07:43 AM

Hey thats great....We keep ours in the living room where we spend most of the time in the evening. So when she gets tired, she goes in it and she is still with us. You might try feeding him in the crate or giving a kong stuffed with goodies while in the crate. Also, put him in it occasionally through out the day for a bit, to take a nap and then out again....Try to make it a good thing to associate with....It took me almost a week to get Nikita use to hers. Good Luck.

**Kratty** · 02-15-2006, 07:46 AM

I almost forgot. You might want to get a crate that is large enough an adult size doberman that has a moveablr divider in it. That way you can adjust it, while he grows. I like the wire crate....If he is not a chewer, then make it as comfy as possible inside. We drape ours with a blanket so its more like a den...