1st night in a crate

Spud · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 6:58 pm Post subject: 1st night in a crate

Hi everyone,

We pick up Enzo tomorrow morning (I've been told that we're leaving at 8am, to get to the breeder by 9am and home for lunch and to spend the rest of the day together...my partner is very excited! and so am I...anyway)... Very Happy

...

We're going to introduce Enzo to his crate during the day tomorrow, slowly and gradually. But when it comes to bed time, should we close the door on him, or should we wait a couple of nights, or should we just sees how well he takes to his crate?

Any advice, crate or not crate related would be gratefully received,
Thanks
Julia, Richard & Enzo

Goldentouch · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:02 pm Post subject:

Leo went into his crate at night from the day we got him.

During the day when you 1st get him, show him the crate is a happy place to be in.
Give him treats in the crate, maybe put a few toys in it too.
I also feed Leo in his crate at meal-times.

1st night in the crate Enzo will probably cry or whine or even a few barks.
Try to ignore them.
It can be extremely difficult to ignore them 1st few nights, but it will get better.

Goodluck, bet your besides yourself with excitment about tomorrow Very Happy

xx

Spud · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jill

THere are so many different messages out there...what's best to do, that I thought the best place to get the answer was here.

We're really excited about tomorrow, this will be our first baby (I'm sure you all what I mean!!)

Will post piccies asap...

_Mary_ · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:27 pm Post subject:

Oh yes Julia we know what you mean!! Laughing

, my animals are my "kids" Laughing

.

Can`t advise anymore than Jill has, I did the same with CJ when I first had him, it does`nt take them long to realise its "their" place Laughing

Goldentouch · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:32 pm Post subject:

During the day Leos crate door is left open for him to come and go as he pleases and he goes in and out reguarly.
He enjoys the peace and quiet he gets when hes in there, and mum enjoys the peace too Laughing

Spud · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:32 pm Post subject:

I've had retrievers with my parents, but never crate trained them, I guess when I first read about crates a few months ago, I thought they sounded cruel (I've had some shocked reactions when I tell people we'll be crate training) but having done a great deal of research, I know that they're not.

This will be our first dog together and therefore our first baby, we're just glad we didn't have to wait 9 months!!! I think Rich would have burst with excitement!

Goldentouch · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:04 pm Post subject:

Thats great that you had read and done a lot of research about them. They are in no way cruel if used properly.
A lot of people who come into my home see the 48" crate and get a shock too.
They seem to think its some kind of cage and don't really understand the concept of it, or are to ignorant to even want to understand.
Its the complete opposite. When used correctly, the dog loves it. It see's the crate as his own little home, his den, his little haven Laughing

Remember piccys when Enzo arrives !! Very Happy

_Mary_ · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:26 pm Post subject:

Not everyone uses crates but i find CJ`s to be invaluable, it can be used for time outs when he`s having his mad half hour and is likely to send me flying or hurt himself!, he has his meals in there as does Cindy (in hers of course!!), come bedtime he goes in automatically after his last pee of the day Laughing

, and he foes in if i go upstairs, this is to stop him taking stuff off the worktop or antwhere else he can reach, which seems to be EVERYWHERE these days! Shocked