Comments on: Collies and Crates

By: Collie

Collie — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:56:56 +0000

I agree with jimmy about the crate being one of the best methods for a young dog or puppy to be trained effectively, i beleive ther is no better way and it’s a must have for any first timers out there. nice post.

By: Austen Rodger

Austen Rodger — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:59:29 +0000

I got a Cavalier puppy when she was 8 weeks old.I would suggest that crate training is the best way to getting your dog used to sleeping in a crate at night and when you are not home.
Your dog will probubly cry and wine for the first couple of nights, thats ok, don’t take the dog out if it makes noise. Crate training is the best thing you can do for your dog, it keeps them safe and it makes house training much easier.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:46:17 +0000

I’m based in the uk and have 3 dogs (one at a time) Collie, Labrador and Staffordshire Bull Terrier and i have crate trained them all, but only until about 4 months. I found the crate invaluable especially when very young and especially for toilet training. All three of my dogs loved their crates (I left the door open during the day and only closed at night and found they actually felt safe and secure in them and went in of their own accord. I would definately recoment crates.

By: Ladybug

Ladybug — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 20:32:43 +0000

I found the Monks to be great. With a sensitive dog like the Collie, you don’t need any force at all to train, but I found the detailed steps very helpful in training. And the fact that they spelled out the different stages of growth was super. The only training books I had seen before I found this one were not nearly as informative or step-by-step. Now of course there are so many to choose from! Everyone is able to find one that suits their personal style.
About “caves”- my collie-girls favorite place is under the kitchen table. I’ve even put a bed there for her since she spends so much time there. I type away on my laptop and she lays under the table, waiting for me to finish so we can go for a walk. And all my cords are over there, not right where she is, so that’s not a problem either. Just the Right Place for a collie-girl to be!
Ladybug

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:42:36 +0000

Hi Kevin the Collie. Yeah I don’t like it when the dogs get stuck in the cords!

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:42:04 +0000

Hi Ladybug glad you had such success! I’m not too crazy about the Monks, I prefer Karen Pryor and clicker training. My dogs all like crates, too.

By: Kevin the Collie

Kevin the Collie — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:47:08 +0000

Hi Cynthia
Excellent post - we do not use crates very much here in the UK but it is true that I always seek out a secure corner wherever I am. Wireless access is also a good idea if your dog gets caught up in all the wires under your desk!
Hugs and Licks,
Kev
xx

By: Ladybug

Ladybug — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 21:41:31 +0000

I crate trained my collie-girl right away when I got her as a puppy. Like you say it helps them know where to go if they are scared or just need to be by themselves for a while. I used the book The Art of Training a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete as a training guide and have a very well behaved senior collie now. Everyone we meet is always surprised (WHY!) at how well behaved she is. She no longer uses her crate- she prefers my bed instead! And since she is a senior now I let her get away with it. But my next puppy/dog will definitely be crate trained as well. I feel it just makes the puppy/dog feel safer and more secure as you progress with training and getting to know each other.