Do you know how to crate train a great Dane puppy? If No is your answer, this article has got you covered. Potty training is definitely at the top of your to-do list if you recently welcomed a new puppy into your house.
Is there a method you can use to make housebreaking your puppy easier while also making your Great Dane puppy feel more at ease and safe? Yes, crate training is the key.
What should I know about crate training a Great Dane puppy?
Crate training encourages your puppy to spend time inside of their Crate and, eventually, come to see the Crate as an extension of their area.
If you crate train your dog, you’ll be able to take advantage of its innate need to maintain a tidy resting environment. Crates are helpful for more than just potty training; they may also keep your dog safe and out of trouble when you can’t keep an eye on them, and they can serve as a cozy refuge when the noise level in the home is too high for your pet’s comfort.
However, there is more to crate training a Great Dane puppy than just placing them in the cage and shutting the door. Your dog needs time to acclimatize to being in its Crate, so be patient and give it plenty of praise. If you try to force things, your dog may get anxious or stressed out, leading to a lifelong dislike for the Crate.
So, how do you start crate training a Great Dane puppy? Continue reading as we provide everything you need to know about Crate training a dog, the benefits of Crate training a Great Dane puppy, and the supplies you need to crate training a dog successfully.
How To Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy: A Complete Guide
Giving your dog plenty of time to settle in the Crate before shutting the door and leaving them in the confines of the Crate is an essential part of kennel training. You can only force your dog to accept the Crate as a pleasant place to relax if it has formed a good connection with being inside.
In other words, the tips outlined below shouldn’t be completed in one sitting. To guarantee your dog’s happiness and stress-free experience, take as much time as you need on each tip.
So without further ado, let’s begin!
Step 1: Present the Crate
You should begin the process of crate training by leaving the door of the Crate open and allowing your puppy to investigate it at their speed while the door is slightly ajar.
Your dog should be praised when they enter the Crate to eat a treat you have tossed inside, and then they should be given another reward while inside the Crate. You may also lure your dog in with a busy toy with food tucked within it. Do whatever it takes to make the cage seem and smell as inviting as possible!
Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude while your puppy investigates the box, and be sure to lavish praise on them whenever they step inside. At this moment, keep the door open.
Your dog will need as many repetitions of this step as possible to feel comfortable confined in the Crate. At this point, it is up to your puppy to decide whether or not they want to go inside its box. If they are hesitant, you shouldn’t compel them to do anything.
If your dog is reluctant to go into the house, you may use rewards to encourage them to take modest steps in the correct direction, such as looking at the door or taking one action.
Your dog will be motivated to progress due to these little victories. If they don’t come near it, just put the goodies inside somewhere else, and they may have them whenever they’re ready.
Step 2: Leave them Confined in the Crate with the door Shut is Good Practice
As soon as your canine companion has formed a good connection with going inside the Crate, they will be prepared to spend somewhat more extended periods contained within it.
To begin, have a play session with your dog, and then take them outdoors for a pee break. This will help them calm down when it’s time to be in their Crate.
Then, give them an unstuffed or lightly stuffed active toy to play with while confined in the box. Maintain proximity to your pet while it is enjoying the goodies, and try shutting the door even if they are still moving about and playing with the toys.
If your dog starts barking, crying, or pawing at the Crate, these are all signs that they want to come out of their cage, and you should let them out as soon as they are done eating their goodies.
Repeatedly return to this stage until your dog seems calm and exhibits no anxiety while confined in the Crate.
Step 3: Take a Momentary Step Back
During future sessions with the door closed, you should attempt to leave the room after your dog is focused on the toy. Keep an ear out at the door for whines or barks that indicate your dog is eager to go outside.
However, at this point in the process, your dog may amaze you by adapting to the Crate more readily than you expected. If you schedule your potty break, play session, and crate time well, you may come back to find your puppy asleep in its Crate when you leave!
Step 4: Build up to More Prolonged Stays
If your dog is content with you leaving for a short period, try increasing the length of time you are away from it.
If your excellent Dane puppy seems satisfied while you are not home, consider taking a little trip outside. While you are gone, you may utilize a pet camera to check in on them and see how they are doing.
To ensure successful crate training for your Great Dane puppy, keep in mind the following:
- Please only leave your dog in the Crate for a short time. It might cause them to have to go potty indoors. Again, this is of most importance for pups, whose “hold time” is about equivalent to their age in months and hours. That’s nearly four hours of playtime for a 4-month-old dog. (Recall that your dog may have to go out more often due to play and excitement.) It’s not good to crate an adult dog for more than four hours. If you need to leave your dog at the office, lunchtime would be an excellent time to take a break.
- When you feed your dog in the cage with the door open, you may help transform it from a negative space into one in which your dog enjoys spending time. If they are hesitant to eat inside, try placing their bowls next to the Crate for a few meals before moving them to the front of the Crate, then the side, and eventually the rear.
- Keep in mind that there’s a distinction between “frustration” sounds and “I must go” ones. A dog’s whimpering in the cage after you return after a bathroom break is probably simply him readjusting to his new surroundings.
- Never use the box as a form of punishment. Ensure your dog associates the Crate with only positive experiences for the best results while crate training.
- Remember to take your dog outside quickly after letting it out of the Crate, and always give it a chance to go to the potty before putting it back in. Remember, that great Dane puppy’s “hold time” is still growing; hence, this is crucial.
What are the Benefits of Crate Training a Great Dane Puppy?
There are so many benefits that come with crate training; I am sure you are eager to find out some of these benefits; check these out:
Crate training provides your dog with its private area: To encourage your dog to see its Crate as a haven, it is vital to choose one that is the right size and gradually introduce it to them. To appeal to a dog’s innate need to feel secure while sleeping, crates mimic the inside of a dog’s favorite hiding place.
Inspiring success in potty training: Since most puppies won’t dirty where they sleep, crate training greatly simplifies the housebreaking procedure. One may kill two birds with one stone by learning how to crate and train a puppy since this is an essential part of teaching them to use the bathroom outside the home.
It keeps your excellent Dane puppy secure: To successfully raise a dog, one must always keep an eye on them, but never more so than when they are young pups. Unfortunately, most dog owners need more time to devote to constant supervision.
Crate training has shown its worth once again. Generally speaking, puppies will chew on whatever they can get their mouths on if left unattended, so a cage is a great way to keep your inquisitive dog away from your belongings (and vice versa) when you can’t watch it all the time.
By Creating a Safe Place to Recuperate: You may have to limit your dog’s activity level after they’ve been injured or had surgery. Making sure they’re content in their box before you start working with them can reduce stress and make your life simpler.
What Crate Training Supplies Do I Need For Crate Training?
There are several supplies you can acquire to help make crate training enjoyable for your dog; these supplies are listed below:
Play Toys: Puppies and other high-energy dogs might be difficult to calm down in the kennel. At this juncture, occupying toys may be of great use. If you leave your dog alone in the house, giving it something to do before bedtime might help it stay occupied and calm until it sleeps. Before leaving your dog alone with a toy, check its durability to ensure it won’t break into small enough pieces for your dog to choke on.
Dog Bedding: To keep your dog happy during crate training, bedding is a must. However, extra-plush dog beds should be avoided if you have a puppy or an older dog that still requires housetraining. Since the additional padding might soak up any pee, it could be hard to notice if your dog has an accident inside.
Some pups may be motivated to overcrowded trash bedding when left alone in the box. For puppies just getting used to sleeping in their Crate, an essential mat like the Frisco Micro Terry Dog Crate Mat is a great option.
Treats: An integral aspect of any crate introduction is the provision of tasty treats. To help your dog associate the Crate with a positive experience, try rewarding it with savory treats like Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Lamb & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dog Treats.
How Long Should a Great Dane Be Crated?
As long as the dog receives enough exercise and walks while not confined in the Crate, most mature canines may tolerate crate confinement for up to half a day. Adult dogs often do OK in a cage for up to eight hours while their owners are at work, but much longer than that might lead to behavioral issues.
How Long Does it Take to Crate Train a Great Dane Puppy?
Assuming you’re consistent, your puppy should be trained in around two weeks. Any age dog may benefit from this strategy. When adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organization, stick to the same process.
When it Comes to a Great Dane, Should Crate Training be an Option?
Crate training is an important element of taking care of a Great Dane, as it is with dogs of any breed, size, or temperament. Since Great Dane owners’ presence is not required 24 hours a day, a safe cage is a must for the canine’s confinement while they’re not around.
