Crate Training

General issues of training/education
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vinnymarz
Just Whelped
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed May 18, 2022 3:22 pm
Tell us about yourself: Hello, I have a 5 month old dutchie named Chico. My wife and I are both active in his training, but this is our first dog from a working line. We are interested to both share our experiences, as well as learn from other owners & handlers along the way.

Crate Training

Post by vinnymarz »

How much time should a dutch shepherd puppy spend in their crate? I have seen different information online and have even been given different info depending on what trainer I speak with where I take my dog for training. He is now 5 months and comes out 4 times a day for 1.5 - 2hrs, spending a total of 6-8hrs out. Each time he comes out we train, followed by some play, and then supervised free time. He goes into his crate upon command, but would never choose to stay in the crate if it was left unlocked. He is starting to shuffle around more when he is in his crate during the day, and will occasionally bark or whine. I have seen some speak for keeping a dog in the crate for as much as 20 hours a day, others less. Does it just come down to preference, or the individual dog? Are there pros and cons to each?
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centrop67
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3584
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 3:42 pm
Tell us about yourself: Owned by Hondo and Mustang - two MAD rescue dogs.
Location: Cutler Bay, FL, USA

Re: Crate Training

Post by centrop67 »

Personally, I would follow the advice of your trainer, because it should match his/her training methods.

I am not a trainer nor expert, but the crate has always been a foundation only part of my training. That is, once the basics are learned and there's demonstrable trust outside the crate, the crate is optional. My dogs have always been fine going in and out of the crate on their own after this foundation.
Michael
Location - Cutler Bay, FL USA
Image RIP: Leela, Radar, Tequila, and Snickers
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers
TheVII
Puppy
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:36 am
Tell us about yourself: Grew up with dogs, but none as a particular as the dutch shepherds. We decided to get a Dutch shepherd pup, but before we commit more feedback would be appreciated.

Re: Crate Training

Post by TheVII »

I agree with Michael, follow the advice of your trainer.

I guess Mox spends maybe 4 or at best 5 hours outside of crate on weekdays. She doesn't particularly like to be locked up. But, at this point she made peace with it. Inside the house she's on the leash when she's not in the crate, and she's on her place or in the crate unless we are doing training or playing.

We are working on proofing her right now so she gets more time on her place still tethered, so she's getting more time outside the crate.

Her outings are pretty intense usually (hour longwalks, or physical play sessions, outside of training sessions), so she sleeps for 3 hours at least between them. Was a different story few months back...

Our trainer explained to us that outside crate time = work = food = fun. Meaning, you ration it and make it special. Short excursions through out the day 3 to 15 minutes are much better than long training session when the dog loses interest. As mentioned earlier follow the advice of your trainer, and stick with a particular program.
TimL_168
Working Dog
Posts: 1371
Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2014 2:11 pm
Tell us about yourself: I am: a father of 2 boys, a carpenter, hunter, runner. We have extensive experience with sled dogs, shepherd mixes, a wolf hybrid, and our current dog a 95# long haired Shiloh Shepherd. We added Endeavor in April 2016. She was not working out in HRD. I train for game recovery and general utility.
Location: central MD

Re: Crate Training

Post by TimL_168 »

It depends on what you goals are with the dog, what your training plan and regimen is, and the temperament of the dog. If the dog is starting to show signs of not liking the crate, so some exercises to make the crate a fun and positive place again
Tim L.
Aurora(Shiloh) Endeavor
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