Crate Training my Puppies

Well, my puppies have spent most of their lives in the crate with their mother.  They already use the crate as shelter and their place for security.  This is your ultimate goal when crate training any puppy.  The sooner they associate the crate with  security and their place the easier they are to break to it.

I’ve always prided myself on how well my puppies take to the crate in their new homes.  The honest truth is that they know no other way.  Crate training has always been an invaluable tool with my small breed dogs.

Today I moved the puppies to their own crate in a room separate from their mother.  (This also helps getting them ready to be separated from their mother when they enter their new homes)  It went rather well.  I got a little bit of whining at first but once I let the puppies know I was right there and nothing was out of the ordinary they calmed down and began playing with their toys.

We’ve had a couple accidents in the crates, but it is to be expected with puppies.  I immediately clean their cage put a light spray of diluted vinegar on their bedding and put them back in.  Most trainers will tell you to start slowly.  If your pups started out raised in a crate you can speed the process up.  Right now they are spending 3 hours a go in their crates and are being let out at scheduled times so they can relieve themselves.  And our puppy codenamed “Chubbs” has made a game of us letting him out of his crate. He will leave the crate relieve himself and immediately run back in.  He’ll coo and wait for his treat.  In fact “chubbs” coo’s every time he believes he deserves a treat.  And this has gave me a great indicator for correction or reward.  Its almost like when he coo’s he’s saying “Did I do it right?”

Chloe, the puppy I’m keeping from the litter has been carrying around her mothers leash for the last 2 days.  So I thought maybe she wants to go walk when mommy goes walk.  So I bought a small leash for her and its a slow going process, she’s only 5 weeks old, but she is taking well to leash training.  She already attempts to heel when being called to it and regularly brings me her leash.  (Chihuahuas get too smart too quick sometimes)

Chloe is the first Chihuahua I’ve had that cries when her harness is taken off.  I think she’s using it as a security blanket, so I’ve taken to putting a shirt on her when I remove her harness and it seems to keep her happy.

Well its getting late and I’m going to attempt to go to bed but will probably end up playing a game of modern warfare 2.  Nite All!

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