Crate Training

When Skye arrived at our house a few months ago, one of the first things we concentrated on was crate training for several different reasons.


Firstly, crate training really helps speed up toilet training. Dogs don't like to soil their sleeping area so having them in a crate just for the time they can't be fully supervised saves accidents around the house and stopping them learning that toileting in the house is acceptable. We still took her outside every half an hour at first but she was quick to learn.


Sometimes Skye would annoy Amber (she used to bite Amber's tail when she was playing with her as she got so excited)  and when this happened she would go into the crate for some time out to calm down. Also in those first few weeks, Skye went into the crate while Amber got some one to one attention from us so that she didn't get too jealous of Skye.


Another time Skye would go in the crate is if we go out so we know she will be safe while we are gone, as otherwise she might chew or eat something dangerous.


Skye sleeps in the crate at night because like when we are out, she could chew/eat something dangerous. She goes in there in the day too for a rest.


We also crate Skye when we eat, as I have a three year old brother who is always dropping his crusts on the floor and other food he doesn't fancy. Skye must learn to not fuss for food while we are eating, so to avoid this happening we crate her.


So, as you have seen there are many positive things about the crate, as long as it is not used for too long a period.


Amber likes to mother Skye. She likes to know where Skye is and that she's all right. Amber used to sleep in the corridor beside my bedroom but since we have had Skye (Skye sleeps in the hallway so Amber couldn't see her) she barked  every morning when she woke at about 6am. We decided this may have been because she was concerned about Skye. So we moved her crate into the hall with Skye's and now she is happy and sleeps in until we get up which is nearer 7am and more acceptable!


That's all for now, but I shall post some more photos of Skye tomorrow.

Amber and Skye together