Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

kyels · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Malaysia

Hi,

I've heard from a few pet owners that they do confine their puppies in cages so that they can teach them how to be obedient and are only allowed to roam around, supervised during playtime. The pups will also be out during elimination time.

However, questions lie within myself whenever I think back about what they've written or said. Is it really true that caging a puppy will teach it how to be obedient, so-to-speak? Or rather, it depends on the pup's personality?

I brought my puppy home last Wednesday and I did not cage her as I did not intend to do so but she will always eliminate somewhere else rather than the area designated for her; especially when I'm asleep at night. But today, I made a play pen and have decided to keep her in there (will only take her out during playtime) hoping that it will teach her to housebreak effectively on the paper.

Do you think this method will work out? Or there are other ways?

dobermancottage · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Fiji Islands

A Few Tips on Crate Training Puppies for the New Owner

It is a common misconception that crate training puppies is a cruel practice. This is untrue as long as the dog has adequate exercise and a chance to go outside before placing him in the crate.

Everyone needs a special place to call his or her own and pets are no different. Many dogs enjoy lying in a darkened area such as under a table or bed. It acts as their own private sanctuary and crates can be the perfect substitute that is beneficial to both you and your pet.
Crate training puppies is also effective for potty training.

The natural instinct of a dog is to not eliminate in its personal space. By using the crate, a puppy can be taught the proper places to eliminate.

Crate training puppies can also help to control the cost of repairs due to chewing, digging and other typical destructive behaviors of an overactive young dog. Crates also help the pet become accustomed to traveling, boarding and veterinary care.

Care should be taken when crate training puppies. It is important for the puppy to have plenty of room to stand and turn around in. Unless you wish to purchase different sizes, get a crate that will accommodate your puppy’s expected adult size. When crate training puppies, the crate should be kept as a positive enjoyable retreat.

Never use it in punishment. Remember dogs are social animals that like interaction with other members of the household. The ideal locations for crates are where the family spends time. Kitchens, dens, bedrooms, living rooms and game rooms are best. Avoid isolated areas such as the garage or laundry room.

If the family is going to be gone for an extended period of time during the day, make the puppy feel less alone by leaving a radio or television playing.

This will often calm the pet and avoid problem behaviors such as barking; chewing, and self inflicted wounds from boredom licking.

Introduce your puppy to his or her crate as early as possible. Leaving treats, toys and food are recommended. This will often encourage your puppy to enter it on his own.

The first crating should be after a period of play or exercise and an elimination trip outside. The puppy will be tired and more likely to take a nap.

Encourage him to enter the crate on his own with plenty of praise and rewards. If your puppy refuses to enter, gently put him in yourself keeping your tone as quiet and calm as possible. After placing him in crate, latch the door and leave the room.

When crate training puppies vocal protest can be expected the first few times. It is important not to give in to your puppy’s wishes. Usually the barking will subside after a period of time ranging from minutes to an hour or so. If it does not, a correction may be needed. This correction does not mean removing the pet and physically punishing it.

Remember, you do not want your puppy to associate the correction with you. Some methods that are effective are remote controls for the television or radio. When these suddenly come on without your presence, the puppy is often startled into being quiet. An aluminum can containing a few coins or a water gun used out of site is often affective as well.

Start out crate training puppies in short periods of time. Never remove him or her from the crate while they are still protesting it. Increase the quiet time span and always praise the dog for good behavior.

Eventually, the dog will view the crate as his own personal home. A place to relax, sleep and avoid the rush of everyday living with the oddity of humans.

kyels · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Malaysia

Thanks for the tips. I don't own a crate but I've manually built a pen for my puppy yesterday evening (with mini plastic garden fences so that she can see through the spaces in between). I left her in there with her toys, food and water. At first she was doing just fine and a few hours later around 6 in the morning, I heard her whining in protest and I ignored it, thinking that it would stop. But it didn't; I took her out of the pen and let her move around my room like how I used to let her do it when she first came by and she quietened down ever since. However, I'd still like to train her to be in the pen, but her whines worry me so much because there are days that I'll be in school and she'd be home alone in my room and in the pen. It may attract attention if the whines prolong. I'm really running out of ideas.

):

dobermancottage · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Fiji Islands

She's trying to get your attention. And it sounds like it's working. It's the same reason babies cry. To get their parents to pay attention to them. Even telling her to be quiet is enough attention for her to become positive reinforcement. You need to eliminate all positive reinforcement and add some environmental negative reinforcement if it continues out of your presence.

Step 1) Ignore her. It's gonna take a bit to break her of this habit as you've been positively reinforcing her with attention all this time. You'll have to put up with it for an hour minimally. It will decrease over time but you must not give in to giving her attention. This means completely ignoring her and the strict silent treatment. It's hell in the beginning

Step 2) If you absolutely can't take it anymore, do the opposite of what she wants. She wants attention from you directly so remove her from your presence. Take her to another room and crate her (if necessary).

Step 3) I guarantee she'll continue to whine from the other room, this time even louder and more prolonged. Don't fear. Now you need to add some negative environmental reinforcement. Stand by the door or just behind the crate and employ the "loud noise" routine or the "earthquake" routine. When the dog whines, slam your hand on the door to the room, bang the wall or pound on the back of the crate. One loud rap in direct response to her whine. She whines, you pound. (Take plenty of Tyenol for this one too :^) They hate the loud noise and pretty soon they get the idea that whining results in a really loud obnoxious sound. If you do it right, you may only have to do this for 15 minutes or so maximum. DO NOT go into the room (or go to the front of the crate - make sure she can't see you out the back either) when the dog is whining, as she will then associate whining with your reappearance. Once she stops for a while, go back and sit down and wait until she does it again. Once she has stopped for 15 minutes in a stretch, THEN go back in the room, take her out of the crate, praise her, and bring her back in the room with you. The earthquake method is the same thing except to lift the back of the crate up and let it drop back down, creating a mini-earthquake inside. Same principle - same result.

This also works for barking too. And if the dog is doing it after you leave the house, simply pick a time when you're not busy, leave the house, and pound on the front door instead of the door to the room. Same principle at work here. Do not reenter the house until the dog is quiet for a 15 minute stretch.

It works. It just takes a bit of patience and a firm hand (literally .

kyels · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Malaysia

I ignored her for quite long; about two hours or so before taking her out of the pen. But it just would not stop hence I decided to take her out as I needed the sleep to carry on with my deadlines. I could not let her continue whining also because of the neighbors above (I'm staying in a condo) so I try to minimize as much noise as possible.

Anyway, after the confinement stint, she became very aware of where she's eliminating --- her designated area and tried not to make any odd mistakes. She became very obedient and the only thing that is still going on is the nipping.