Springer Crate Training

Springer Crate Training will make training your puppy so much easier. To the first time user it may seem a litte cruel to put your puppy in a crate. I admit I was of the same school of thought until I did my research and saw just how much Fidget has fallen in love with her own little cosy space, as you can see below.

The added bonus of springer crate training is that while she is happy and snug in her crate you are not worrying about your house being chewed to bits while you put the kids to bed, or make supper. It GIves your puppy routine, structure and emulates what dogs love best, a nice safe den to go to.

What size crate?

The crate needs to be big enough for your adult springer to lie down in, getup and turn around. Some people argue that you may want to get a smaller crate for your puppy then a larger one when she grows. However I have found that Fidget has settled in her larger crate very well.

I place a blanket over the top of her crate so she feels safe and secure like she is in a den, but she can still see out of the corner and front of the crate.

Introducing your Springer Spaniel Puppy to the Crate

• Feeding Time. One of the easiest ways to give them a really positive association is to feed them in the crate, you can start off by feeding with the crate door open and when they feel safe and happy to go in, then feed them with the door closed.

• Positive Encouragement. Encourage them to go in the crate with lots of praise and treats, you may even want to have on particular special toy which is their crate toy.

• Once in, stay in the room. Once you have sucessfully been able to close the door with your puppy in, don't leave the room. Remain in the room with her, let her see you as it will settle your puppy very quickly.

• Wait to let them out. When they are in the crate, and you have closed the door, do not let them out until they have been quiet for about 5 minutes, if you let them out when they are whining they have quickly learnt that all they have to do is whine and you will let them out. So make sure they are quiet before you open the door.

How long should they remain in the crate?

Once you have managed to settle your puppy in the crate, you need to build up the time they spend in the crate so they don't become distressed or anxious.

8 to 10 weeks old - 30 mins
11 to14 weeks old - 1 - 3 hours
15 to 18 weeks old - 3 - 4 hours
18 weeks plus - 4 - 6 hours

Night time is slightly different. Your puppy's natural instinct is not to wet their bedding so you can put them in their crate at night, however you must make sure she has been out to the toilet before you put her in and when she is younger set your alarm and let her out at about 2 am so she doesn't soil her bedding.

Puppies over 8 weeks old do have good bladder control especially if they are not able to pee as and when they like, so the crate helps them realise that they can hold on.

Another top tip to remember is not to let them have a drink after about 20.00, that way they are less likely to need a pee in the night.

The Golden Rules of Springer Crate Training

• Take them out to their toilet before they go in the crate
• Praise and reward them when they go in the crate
• Remain in the room for a period after they have gone in the crate
• Only open the crate when they have been quiet for 5 min
• Take them outside to use the toilet when you take them out