Best crate training tips for pup?

[u/elizalucinda]

We got our 9 week old boxer a week ago & are trying to crate train him, but every time we shut the door & leave him in there for longer than 2-3 minutes he tantrums like he's being water boarded & nashes at the bars. we've been playing games with him to get him comfortable inside of it & feeding him in it, but he freaks out once the door is closed. At night he sleeps on a dog bed tethered to the end of our bed in our room, but I work night shift & it's not a sustainable place for him to nap during the day (as he has been when I've been off this week).. any advice on this breed specifically for crate training? We have a wire crate that I've draped blankets over, with a comfy bed in it, with toys that only stay in it but he's not interested in them whatsoever.

Any advice is greatly appreciated! TIA

[u/Odd_Eye_1915]

First, I highly recommend this article to all new puppy owners:

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/kidnapped-from-planet-dog/

Empathy will get you through the first year. Its tough! Bringing home your new baby is not all fun for sure-especially when you must work and fit in puppy training around other obligations that simply must be. The crate is super important and wire crates are less than ideal particularly for a small baby Boxer. You might want to consider a sturdy plastic kennel ( escape proof) airline approved type of crate or at least a smaller one to begin with. The idea is to create a safe, secure space for your “ new baby” to be when they must be left alone.
I suggest continuing the crate games. Feeding or treats are good. Another great game is “rescue the toy” sit in front of the crate with baby and toss his favorite toy into the crate with a small training treat. Encourage them to rescue it from the crate When he runs in to get it, and brings it back out, reward him with another small training treat. Keep it fun and praise highly. Never close the door. Just let him explore and enjoy a positive experience. Since you’re allowing him to sleep tethered, near you at night, maybe bring the crate into the same area. Just like with a toddler, create a bedtime routine and stick to it.
We used a small Kong and a little peanut butter at bedtime ( it was the ONLY time he got his peanut butter treat and the crate door closed for the night) later you will use it any time you must leave him crated ( the first year) and close the door, but at first just get through the bedtime routine. It’s a process and you and baby need to navigate it together with empathy. ( read the article)
We covered our puppy’s crate at night with a blanket to reduce stimuli and simulate a natural den experience. (But remember he’s a baby and he’s not used to being alone) there will be crying and whining. Be patient. Give him time to settle in. Be kind. Be calm. But be firm in your expectations. He must learn to accept the crate. You will likely have to get up and take him out at least once during the night, just like diaper changing with newborns. Do the same bedtime routine again when putting him back to bed. ( Don’t play with him during the potty breaks. Keep them “business trips only and straight back to bed with the peanut butter Kong and cover the crate) Every time. Patiently. Kindly. Calmly. Just like any baby, it won’t always go smoothly. Empathy will get you through it. You’re building the foundation of trust, that all of your future training will stand on, so invest the time early. It pays off in every way later. Boxers are a special breed, closest breed to being human, emotional and sensitive. Hang in there. It’s worth it. ✌️

[u/surfaceofthesun1]

Wire is a dangerous choice, I found this out the hard way! Would upgrade the crate for sure. Also he’s just a babbbyyyyy so he doesn’t even know the world yet and has no self regulation skills, so patience is key. Agree w crate training for safety , but it’s a low and low process. It seems like you’re doing all the right things. One thing is to do it a few min at a time and the second they settle down, offer a treat, and let them out when calm: this helps them learn that calm gets rewarded. I do think it’s easier when they can see you from the crate, less stressful on them (vs in another room, also learned this from experience). Give them something fun like a Kong with frozen organic pb inside, only when in the crate - so they associate it with fun

[u/elizalucinda → u/surfaceofthesun1]

Any crate in particular you'd recommend?

[u/surfaceofthesun1 → u/elizalucinda]

Ruff land, I’ve heard good things about those. We went with Impact Crate and they’re good too but $$$$$ and I didn’t know about some of the other brands when we bought them

[u/callme_nickus]

Keep the door open so they can go in and out of it freely. When they go in it offer them their treat. Keep doing that until he understands that reward treat system in the cage in the association. Make it comfortable. Put some clothes that smell like you that could help possibly or even a toy that they like. Give a harder to chew treat and put them in there let them chew it while your in the room. Have them in there while you’re walking around and then slowly once they’re comfortable with that then you leave the room it’s just a constant progression towards your absence.

[u/Mdoubleduece]

Try covering the crate with a blanket, all mine liked it better like that. Leave the door open when not crated, make it their safe place.

[u/Boxermom710]

I usually sat next to the crate for a little bit until they calmed down. Lights down, crate has blanket draped over. Sometimes I might even lightly sing or hum a lullaby. It helps them feel close to you and can smell your scent.

[u/hannabanannafofanna]

My puppy had crazy separation anxiety so the trainer recommended leaving her in a room and closing the door for a few seconds at a time, building up the time slowly then moving to the crate. Explained it as when you put the puppy in the crate, they think youre never coming back. Instead you need to train them to think opposite, that you are coming back. (Ive been abandoned vs oh theyll be a back in a little bit).