Crate training

Since I mentioned crate training on my last post on toilet training, I thought I'll make things complete by adding in my crate training experience with my dogs.

Crate training was something that I came across while searching for a quick and easy way to train my puppies to pee and poo at the designated toilet area. Initially I was rather reluctant to tried this methods as I always believed that dogs are meant to be roaming around, and because I love my dogs I would rather let them run around the house then to lock them up in the crate with tiny little space. However eventually I gave it a try as I was getting inconsistent results from my puppies. And the results I got were really shocking!

Later I also learn that a crate is like a personal space for the dog, and should mimic the den like atmosphere that a dog naturally seeks. As this is his den, he will be most unlikely to soil his area. The main thing to take note in crate training is to create positive experiences of the crate for your dogs.

1. First of all we need a crate. The crate should ideally have enough space for your dog/puppy to lie down and stretch itself but nothing bigger than that. Because a bigger space means a higher chance of him eliminating in one of the corners.

2. But a blanket into the crate to help the dog/puppy feel secure and to provide comfort.

3. Slowly introduce the dog/puppy to the crate. This will require lots of patient but is well worth the effort. Use treats to lure him into the crate but do not close the gate at the initial stage. Instead praise him and shower him with affections the moment he gets in. Then allow him to come out. Never drag him into the crate as this will create a negative experience of the crate for him.

4. Once the dog/puppy is at ease with the crate, close the gate for a brief period of time (starting from a few minutes) once he gets into the crate. Gradually increase the length of time he is in the crate.

5. Place the crate in the living room or anywhere where the family hangs out so that he don't feel isolated. Put some chew toys in the crate to keep him busy.

6. Feed the dog/puppy in the crate to create more positive experience for him. You can even show your affection by petting him if he goes in and lie down.

An additional tip: Once my puppies got used to their crates, I bring the training further by using it to teach them their designated toilet area. Whenever I let them out, I will bring them to the designated toilet area to let them relieve. After which I will get them to return to their crates. Once a routine has been set up and they are able to return to the designated toilet area to do their business for about 80-90% of the time, I will allow them to roam the house. But they still return to their crates at night when they sleep as that is the comfort zone that I have created for them :) 

All the best and have lots of fun training with your dogs/puppies :)

Some recommended resources:
Quick & Easy Crate Training
Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies & Adult Dogs!
The Art of Raising a Puppy
How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With

Toilet training

When I had my first puppy, it didn't occurred to me that I have to toilet train her. I thought if I put a pee tray in her play pen with her, she will do it there naturally and the rest was history. It was until much later that I realized that I was imposing my thoughts and ideas onto her. And as for her she is just doing what nature has wired her to do. So I search online, went to forums and read books on toilet training puppies and after experimenting with my dogs, I realized that the secret to successful toilet training lies in prevention and having a routine for them.

First and foremost, decide where we want to let the dog do its business. Is it on newspaper or the grass? The important thing to note here is to be constant. If it is decided to let the dog do its business on the grass then be sure to return to the same spot every time, and if its newspaper make sure you place the newspaper on the same spot every time.

The next thing to take note is regular feeding. Having a regular meal time will allow us to monitor the dog's intake. Based on the dogs that I have, they usually relieved themselves 15-60 minutes after their meal. So it is good to bring your dog to its designated toilet area 15-60 minutes after a meal. Especially for puppies, because they have poor control over their bladder, they must be brought to their designated toilet every 60 minutes that they are out. A point to note here is puppy being unable to control their bladder properly, have the tendency to urinate spontaneously when excited.

Another method that can be incorporated is crate training. As dogs like to be clean, they will chose not to soil their personal space if they can help it. As my dogs grows, I gradually lengthen the time I place them in the crate before I bring them out to relieve themselves. As a reference, I never let my dogs run around the house until they are 80-90% reliably toilet trained.

To reinforce the idea of toilet to my dog, I always use cue words and reward them when they do it.

Lastly, I never scream, yell, punish or hit my dogs when accident occur as it will create a negative experience for them and perhaps even induce submissive urination. The way to correct them is to catch them while they are in the midst of doing it and bring them to the designate place immediately and use your cue word. Dogs live in the now and there is really nothing much you can do if you didn't catch it in action.

Below are some resources they might be helpful, grab them if you want if not just follow my way :)

Cesar Milan

During the early days when I first had Belle, I stumbled upon this fantastic guy by the name of Cesar Milan. First impression of him was quite charming and he had a powerful aura around him. The things that he shared about caring and loving our dogs is nothing like most of us have thought of. In my context, I always thought that by showering my dogs with love and pampering them, I am doing them good. However according to Cesar, I am only nurturing an unbalanced dog and creating behavior problems in the long term. I was quite puzzle with his school of teachings and so I read up more his way of loving for his dogs.

He believes that a dog regardless of name or breed is ultimately and a dog first follow by breed and name. Dogs are wired differently from us humans and so we cannot imposed our idea and interpretation of love and pamper on them. Loving and pampering them means to let them be dogs, and our role in it is to be their pack leader, the alpha of the pack. That sort of like opened my eyes and many things started to make sense to me. I went on to read many of his books and even watch his show on TV. It was really enlightening and I have since adopt his way of loving and caring for my beloved dogs and I am glad to say that they are all happy and balanced to have me as their pack leader.

Below are the links to a few of his books which I have read and found helpful, do get your hands on one of them now. Especially if you have a new puppy or dog at home, it will make a lot of difference on whether you get a balanced companion or an unruly one.

My experience with my first dog Belle

My Experience with my first dog, Belle

Ever since I was young, I always wanted to have a pet dog. But my mum would not allow me to get one citing the reason that I was too young to be able to care for a dog. In my mind, caring for a dog is no rocket science, so when I grew up and got the financial abilities, I got my first pet dog. She is a beautiful english cocker spaniel which I got from a home breeder. I named her Belle. She was 3 months when I got her, a very lively and playful girl. That evening I brought her home, housed her in a playpen, gave her water, dry food in her bowl and even had a pee pan inside for her to relieve herself.

That night due to a change in her environment, she was whining for the entire night and when I woke up next morning I was horrified to see urine stain and poop all over the floor. Over the next few days she developed severe diarrhea. Rushed her to the vet and realized that she is allergic to he food that I was giving her. It was then I realized the truth of my mum's word. Money is just part of the whole equation. I was awfully unprepared for Belle...

To cut the long story short, I did a lot of research and reading on dog diets and training, she got well eventually but due to my irregular working schedule, and housing regulations in my country, I have to re-home her. It was a painful decision which I had to make and I am glad that today she is happily re-homed in a loving family :)

A few things to consider before you rush to get a pet...

1. As much as a dog is a companion for you, you are also a companion for him, and in most case the only 1 that he is going to have for his entire life with you. Are you able to make this commitment and be loyal to him as he is loyal to you?

2. Are you willing to invest your money, time and effort to bond with and train him?

3. Have you done your due diligence to find out more on the type of dog you want as well as their growing stages? Every breed of dogs of their inherent issues, for example dachshunds are fond of digging while cocker spaniels are prone to ear infections etc, teething puppies tend to chew and males tend to mark their territory.

4. Is having a dog going to conflict with my current commitments? If you have family members who are allergic to dog fur then perhaps its good to consider a breed that does not shed, or if you have irregular working hours you might want to consider how you can get help while you are away from home.

5. Are there any housing regulations that restricts the type or breed of dogs you can have?

6. Just as everyone of us is different, the way a dog sees and perceives things is also different from us. Can you love and respect him as much as he loves and respects you?