From: cjackson@adobe.com (Curtis Jackson)
Subject: Re: Crate Training 101-HELP!
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated, Mountain View
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 05:20:57 GMT

In article <1992Dec13.192951.1@hamp.hampshire.edu> lsheehan@hamp.hampshire.edu writes:
}but he's 1 1/2 now, and i don't know how he'll react.  Is there a way to make
}things easier for him? I know to put in a blanket and a couple toys, and food
}and water, and to let him see me from the crate, but is there something i'm
}overlooking?  he won't be in the crate at night, only during the day when i or
}my sig o. can't be with him. I got him from the shelter, so i don't know if
}he's ever even had a crate before.  Am i obsessing? Should i simply wait and
}see what happens?  Any advice will be helpful- I'm leaving for break wednesday,
}so i need any replies by then... e-mailing them would be great.  Thanks!  (can
}y'all tell this is my first dog?)  =)

The dog should think of the crate not as a place of confinement, but as a
haven. Therefore, he *should* be in the crate at night; it will help him
get used to it as a safe place to be -- it is where he is when he is
sleeping in the same room as you. You should absolutely make sure that he
has relieved himself immediately before going into the crate at night,
and you should *not* provide him with food or water during the night. One
trick I used was to sleep on the floor outside the crate in a sleeping bag
the first night. He can begin immediately sleeping in the crate all night
long. This won't have to be permanent, just until he has really internalized
the crate as a Good Thing [tm]. About 8 weeks should do.

For the daytime, you should at first put him in the crate for no more than
1/2 hour, and while you are in the room. Then put him in for 1/2 hour while
you are in and out, then 1/2 hour while you are out. Gradually increase
the time. Always make sure he has relieved himself beforehand (unless it
is really only 1/2 hour or so), and do not feed or water *in* the crate
unless you are going to leave him in there for an entire day. The dog will
be much better off slightly thirsty than trying to share the limited space
for several hours with a food and/or water bowl, and suffering from bladder
overload due to drinking the water out of boredom. Chew toys are a must;
two or three of them is better than one because it gives variety.

Above all, the crating should be gradual, should be treated as no big deal
(just another easy-to-live-with edict from the alpha dog), and the dog must
*always* know deep in his heart that you will come back. When you uncrate
the dog you should praise him unmercifully and walk him immediately, and
when he goes into the crate simply by being asked or motioned in, you should
deal out similar levels of praise.

Guess that is about it. Both of my dogs took to the crate very readily,
and I always know now that I can resort to it if I have to.

-- 
Curtis Jackson  DoD #721   '62 Yankee Brunette "Dorothy"    '81 Maxim 650
cjackson@mv.us.adobe.com   '91 Black Lab "Studley"  '92 Collie/Golden "George"
  "They that can give up an essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
   safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin (1759)
From: bassett@hpcss01.cup.hp.com (Diane Bassett)
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 01:27:00 GMT
Subject: Re: Get new dog or no
Organization: Hewlett Packard, Cupertino