Does the thought of crate training your German Shepherd puppy make you want to run screaming? Are you imagining your puppy crying all night to get out of their crate while you stress over what to do? Keep calm because it doesn’t have to be this way! This guide will show you exactly what you need to do to crate train your German Shepherd puppy stress-free and have a happy puppy.
Should German Shepherds Be Crate Trained?
Yes, German Shepherds should be crate trained. Exposing your dog to a crate is a necessary life skill. They will be in and out of kennels during their lives, such as at the groomers or vets. Teaching them crate skills makes them less stressed in new situations and gives them a comfortable place to rest and sleep that they enjoy.
You aren’t required to crate train your GSD pup, but it’s a great skill for them to learn.
Why Crate Training a German Shepherd Puppy is Great!
Have you thought of all the ways your dog will be exposed to a crate in their life? A crate is not a dog prison! The crate uses the fact that dogs don’t like to soil where they sleep and helps with bladder control because it encourages a dog to wait until they are out of the crate to eliminate.
There are many benefits to crate training your German Shepherd puppy:
- A Safe Place: Your dog needs a place to call his own, a place away from the busy family to relax. The kennel provides your puppy a safe spot to find comfort.
- Safe Travel: You will need to move your dog safely to travel around town. Maybe you plan to take your puppy with you on a road trip or vacation. The kennel gives you an area to secure your pup safely for travel or transport.
- Protects from Chewing: Your dog will go through a chewing stage that may last through puppyhood. To protect your belongings and keep your puppy safe, the kennel works wonders.
- Quicker House Training: A crate almost guarantees quicker success by building upon a puppy’s need to not soil where they sleep or eat.
- Provides Own Space: Crate training provides your dog with their own space.
- Transportation: Crates can be used for car rides and transportation by airlines.
- Supervision: Crate training keeps your pup in check when you can’t supervise them and also helps with behavior training.
Step-by-Step German Shepherd Puppy Crate Training
To get your dog used to their new dog den, you need to expose them to it slowly and using positive techniques. Once you place the kennel in your preferred location and set up comfortable bedding inside, use these steps to introduce the kennel to your dog. Remember, a crate is new and unusual for most puppies, so take your time and always stop when your dog looks scared or shows fear of the crate training.
Step 1: Introduce Your German Shepherd to Their New Crate
Use baby steps and go slowly, letting your GSD pup get used to their crate.
Step 2: Offer Them Meals
Provide them a few meals either very near or inside their crate for a positive association with their new crate.
Step 3: Increasing Your Dog’s Time Inside their Crate
Begin leaving them in for longer periods, building up time slowly.
- Call them over to the crate with a command, such as “crate” or another word you choose. When they enter, toss them a treat as a reward.
- Close the door quietly and sit in the same room as them for 5 to 10 minutes. You can even sit calmly next to the crate while dropping food into it occasionally. Lessen the times you drop in treats until you’re not dropping any treats inside for 10 minutes.
- Now, go to another room for a few minutes to leave them alone. When you return, don’t let them out immediately. Instead, sit in the same room again for a few minutes before releasing them.
- Increase the time you leave them alone in the room, and repeat the previous step upon your return to them. Once you work your way to leaving them in their crate for about 30 minutes, begin leaving them in their crate while you leave your house.
Step 4: Crating Your German Shepherd When You Leave the House
As they spend more time inside their crate, work on leaving them alone for very short periods.
Tips for Successful Crate Training
Here are some additional tips to ensure crate training is a positive experience for your German Shepherd puppy:
- Choose the Right Crate Size: Making sure you choose the right crate size for your dog is an important part of successful crate training.
- Establish the Proper Mindset: The more the dogs associate the crate with a relaxed mindset, the more they’ll ultimately enjoy hanging out in there. If you put the dog in the crate when they’re playing, then they’ll want to come back out and continue to play. But if you bring them in it when they’re calm, they will likely view it as a place of rest. Start by bringing them in for 10 minutes at a time and work your way up from there.
- Consistency and Positive Reinforcement: Like any other skill you teach your dog, crate training your German Shepherd puppy centers around consistency and a positive reward system.
By following these easy steps, you’ll know how to crate train a German Shepherd puppy in no time!