Labrador Retriever Crate Training: PART 2.
By: Sharda Baker
LABRADOR RETRIEVER CRATE
TRAINING: PART 2.
As we discussed earlier, a dog crate can be successfully used
to housetrain your Labrador Retriever. This method is based on the
premise that the natural tendency of the Labrador puppy or
adult is to
avoid soiling its own area or den. The key factors involve
being able to confine your puppy to the crate for short periods of
time, so that the puppy is able to hold their urine or feces.
Remember that al puppies have very small bladders,
and that their control is not as good as a more mature dog (not much
different to us there!). After a short period of confinement, the puppy
must be taken immediately to the area that it is to use to relieve
itself. Once the puppy does urinate or defecate in the selected area,
it should be immediately praised for the positive behavior.
If your Labrador is kept in the crate for longer than the time it can
control its bladder, it will begin to mess in the crate. This creates a bad habit
and will seriously affect the ability of the puppy to learn to
eliminate only when outside or in a designated area.
To start the crate training process, take the puppy out of
the crate every
hour and allow them access to the outside area. As soon as
the puppy does urinate or defecate, provide immediate praise
and attention. If the puppy does not do anything, return them to the
crate and try again the next hour.
Keep a journal of
when the puppy eats and when it needs to go to the bathroom. You should
be able to see
a pattern develop. Allow the puppy to have free run of the
area until about an hour before they usually need to urinate. At this
time put your puppy in the crate to prevent any accidents. At
the appropriate time take the puppy out, and if the mission is
successful, provide rewards and let the puppy have free run again.
If your puppy doesn’t go to the bathroom, return
him to the crate and try again in 5-10 minutes or so. Watch for any
changes in food or water intake that might indicate that the puppy will
need to go outside more often.
As the puppy gets older and has better control of bowels and bladder,
the time between crating will increase. Usually in two to three weeks
after starting crate training the puppy will be basically housetrained.
Be aware that
mistakes and accidents will happen, despite the best
scheduling and planning. Try to clean up the mess as quickly as
possible. Avoid punishing
the dog as this will lead to anxiety and more accidents. Make sure to
reward and praise the dog for the next successful outing, instead.
Crate training should
only be used if you are able to get to the puppy to allow them out when
needed. If you are unable to be with the puppy at this
time, crate training may not be the best method.
Avoid using crate
training techniques if the puppy is vomiting or has
diarrhea, or if they have any difficulty controlling their bowels or
bladder. Check with a vet and get medical support before deciding if
crate training is right for your puppy if it is having control problems.
Crate training can also
be used as a quick 30 second time out area if the puppy is
overexcited or not listening. Avoid using the crate too often or for
long periods of time as a punishment, as it will no longer be a
positive and secure place for the puppy. Too much time in the crate
will limit the socialization of the puppy, and will also decrease the
amount of exercise the puppy has.
For further in
depth information and advice on
crate training and all
aspects of Labrador care please see our
Insider's
Complete Guide To The Labrador Retriever ebook and audio
package.
