Let's Talk... About How To Train a Rottweiler To Love His or Her Crate

Tips on Crate Training

This part of "How to train a Rottweiler" series is about crate training. Now I have to admit that I used to think crate training was horrible.

However, that opinion was based on ignorance and I've since educated myself on the subject :)

I hope to help you do the same!

I used to think that forcing a dog into a crate and locking her in was just plain mean, but that's definitely not the case if you do it right.

The premise behind crate training, which I really didn't understand, is that when your crate training your Rottweiler, if you do it in a positive manner, it actually becomes his safe haven.

We all know that dogs descend from wolves, and you've probably seen a dog or two turn circles and scratch at the ground before they lay down.

That simulates making a bed for themselves, like a wild animal would do in the woods or in a den. My boy Chevy does it all the time. He'll scratch at the carpet or mess up his blanket before he lays down.

How to train a Rottweiler to go in the crate is much easier when she's still a puppy. But, puppies have tiny little bladders, so you must be careful to not leave her in there for too long in the beginning.

I made that unfortunate mistake with my female Rottweiler Savannah when she was only about 11 weeks old. I felt so guilty that I swore I'd never make another dog go in a crate - ever. That attitude of course was due to serious ignorance!

Without further ado - here are the steps for how to train a Rottweiler to love her crate.

Steps for how to train a Rottweiler to love her crate

1. If you're Rottweiler is still a puppy, then she's still a cute little fur-ball, but she's going to grow up to be close to a 100 lbs. You'll need to make sure you buy a crate a that she can still use as an adult.
   
   A lot of people borrow a crate to start with and then upgrade as their Rottie grows up. That okay too, but keep in mind that it will smell like it's past resident, so clean it as best you can.
   
   
2. Make sure that you line the crate with a comfy blanket that can easily be thrown into the washing machine. If your training you Rottweiler as an adult, you probably won't have any potty training issues, but you'll still want to be able to wash the blanket.
   
   
3. Start your training by showing your puppy a treat so that she's just about ready to take it out of your hand. Then lead her to the crate and toss it into the very back. Make sure that she has to go all the way in to get it, and praise her as soon as she does.
   
   Don't lock her in at this point - it's too soon. Keep doing this a number of times a day.
   
   
4. Start feeding her inside the crate. Simply set the food bowl inside the crate (towards the back), but leave the door open. After you've done this a few times, start closing the door while she's eating.
   
   The moment she's done eating (as long as she's not whining or crying), open the door and take her outside immediately. This will also help with house-breaking. It's a good idea to choose a word or short phrase for potty, like "go potty?" or "outside" to help her understand what you want.
   
   
5. Start putting her in the crate for 1/2 hour or so intervals while you go about your business around the house. Make sure that he has something to occupy himself, like a chew toy. Also, it's best if you've just tired him out with some exercise.
   
   
6. Start leaving her in the crate for longer and longer periods of time. Just make sure that the crate is always a pleasant place for her to be, and it will become her safe haven. DO NOT use it for punishment or you undo all your training.
   
   
7. From the very beginning, choose a word or short phrase to use when asking your puppy to go in the crate.
   
   My folks use the phrase "go to bed" with their dog, but you could use just the word "bed" or "crate" or "kennel." Whatever suits you, just make sure of two things: 1. It's short and snappy (easy to understand)
   2. Everyone in the family uses the same word or phrase - alwaysEvery time she goes in the crate, use the word and before you know it, treats and such will no longer be necessary. It will be her own little den.

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