Training Labrador Retrievers - Crate Training

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Crating Frequently Asked Questions...

Is a crate cruel?

It is not cruel if you are fair with the amount of time you keep your dog in the crate. If your dog is 9 weeks old, then they should be let out of the crate for a pee and poo every 1-2 hours. As they get older, they can hold their bladder a little bit longer. By 6 months they should be able to hold for 3-4 hours without a problem. Never leave a grown dog in a crate for longer than 8 hours. That is cruel.

Should I let my puppy out of the crate if she cries and barks?

No. First, make sure it is not because they have to go pee or poo. If they have done their business, then ignore them. They will eventually stop. The best thing to do is train your pup that the cage is their safe place. When you put pup in the crate, leave a kong with a treat for them. Put some peanut butter and a baby carrot in it. This will make them excited to go in the crate.

Can I put the crate in the basement and close the door? We don't want the crate upstairs in the house.

Put the crate in a social area. Labs are social dogs and need to be with the family. If you want to leave the crate in the garage or basement, then perhaps you should reconsider purchasing a lab. They will always want to be with you. Leaving a lab alone in a basement for hours will cause separation anxiety and destructive behaviour.

My pup keeps peeing and pooing in the crate, what do I do?

Make sure that you take your pup to the washroom every few hours, and especially right before you put in the crate. Do not feed and let the pup drink water before crating. Feed and water an hour before, then allow them to go pee and poo outside, and then crate. If they do make an accident, put in fresh bedding (a durable blanket) as they will pee in the same spot if they smell old urine.

My pup is older now, can I leave them out of the crate when I leave the house?

Your pup may seem older, but labs will continue to be pup-like til 1-2 years of age. If you leave them out of the crate they may eat something that could harm them. They may also destroy something in the house. Play it safe and crate until they are older. Then, leave them for little bits at a time to test them. Start at 15 minutes and then move up to an hour. If all is ok, then test them for a few hours. Gradually increase the time til 8-9 hours (if you work during the day). Never leave a dog unattended for longer than 8-9 hours. If this is not possible than you should reconsider getting a dog. Perhaps a cat or goldfish would be better suited to your lifestyle.