How to Crate Train a Weimaraner Puppy
Jump to section
Introduction
If you have been doing any research at all regarding crate training your Weimaraner puppy, you can't help but have noticed they have a reputation for separation anxiety. When you look at the fact Weimaraners were bred to be companion and hunting dogs and more specifically, to working closely with their human partners during the hunt.
It is important you understand that dogs are pack animals by nature. It is highly unusual for a dog in the wild to experience much in the way of isolation. In fact, being isolated in the wild leaves a dog open to attack, injury, and death. While this might not happen in your home (at least we hope not!), training your pup to spend time in his crate can be thought of in terms of simply just a part of joining your pack.
Top
Defining Tasks
You took your annual two weeks' vacation and brought home your Weimaraner puppy. Then you spent the next two weeks getting to know him, fussing over him 24/7. But all good things must come to an end. Time to go back to work. Suddenly, your pup is stuck in an empty void for eight or more hours a day! And then you wonder why he suffers from separation anxiety and is destroying your home one piece of furniture at a time.
Your job is to train your pup to spend the time you are at work in a crate where he is safely out of harm's way. Once your pup has learned to stay in his crate, your house will breathe a sigh of relief. The essence of training your pup to spend time in his crate is to help him understand that it is his "den" or "safe place" and one that is all his own. Once he figures this out, you are just as likely to find him napping or simply hanging out there.
Top
Getting Started
It all starts with buying the right size crate for your pup. Since Weimaraners grow to be relatively large dogs, you should start with a smaller crate and work your way up to the one your pup will use when he has reached full adult size. A crate needs to provide room to stand up, turn around, and stretch out. Having a little room to move around is also good, but not too big, your pup may see it as big enough he can pee in one corner.
Be sure to make his crate as comfy as possible; carpet the floor, put a nice big bed in it, a few new toys, even a blanket. The more enticing you make it, the more likely your pup is to adapt to it in a shorter period of time. As always, have plenty of treats on hand, along with an ample supply of patience and time.
Top
The Crate First Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
The crate before the dog
For those of you who have never found the answer to which came first, the chicken or the egg, we have no answer for you. But, when it comes to a crate and your pup, the crate should come first. Set it up as described above and put in it a room that is central to your family. A good choice would be the kitchen, so you are close the back door and his potty.
In the bedroom
You may also want to consider adding a second crate in your bedroom, at least during the potty training phase.
Bringing your puppy home
Starting with the day you bring your pup home, let him wander around and explore his new crate. Put a new toy and a nice treat in the crate and let your pup wander in and out of it on his own. You may need to coax him in for the first few times, just be patient.
Repeat for several days
Repeat the above step several times a day over the course of several days. Be sure to give your pup lots of praise each time he goes in on his own without fussing.
The new toy
Now add a new toy to the crate, using it to lure your pup inside. When he goes in, close the door. If he fusses and whines for more than five minutes, use a firm voice and tell him "no" or "quiet" and let him calm down. Once he has calmed down for at least 30 seconds, go ahead and open the door, praise him, and let him out. Keep extending the time between going in and coming back out until he is old enough to spend the day in his crate when needed.
The Other Room Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Your best tool
Your pup's crate is going to be your best training tool when it comes to dealing with separation anxiety. Start out by placing your pup in his prepared crate with the door closed and go into a separate room for a few minutes .
Repeat
Repeat this step, extending the time until you can go away for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and your pup doesn’t fuss. Remember, when he whines, ignore him until he quiets down, then let him out.
Go outside
This time, go outside for a few minutes with your pup in his kennel. Be sure he has a few toys to keep him occupied. He should also have a hanging water bottle.
I need an extension
Keep extending the time you spend outside. Again, if he fusses, let him carry on until he stops whining.
Keep working it
Keep working with your pup until he can stay in his crate for long periods of time. Bear in mind, puppies need to be taken out to go potty more frequently at first. You have just crate trained your Weimaraner.
The Zero Force Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Get set up
Get started by setting your pup's crate up as described above and placing it in an area of your home where your family spends a lot of time. Toss a few treats and toys inside and close the door.
Hello, what's this?
Bring your pup into the room his crate is located in and let him wander around the crate. It won't take him long to catch a whiff of the treat. Once he starts scratching and fussing to get in, go ahead and open the door and leave it open. When your pup goes in, praise him and let him enjoy the treat. When he comes back out, praise him, but no treat. The idea is to make him realize he only gets the treat for going in the crate.
And further in
After a few days of this, start tossing the treats all the way to the back of the crate. As he enters, give him your command word. Use something simple like "kennel" or "crate" and praise him.
And when we get behind closed doors...
Time to start working with the door closed. If he fusses and whines, ignore him until he quiets down.
The long and winding road
The rest is all about working with your pup to extend the amount of time he spends in the crate. When he can spend the day in it while you are at work, you are all done.
Written by PB Getz
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/08/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Dawkins
Weimaraner
6 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
We are having a huge problem with our dog whining in his crate. We tried to move it into the bedroom thinking it would help, since Weimaraner’s are Velcro dogs, but he won’t stop whining! So we moved him back into the living room. Please help!!
Aug. 27, 2020
Dawkins's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Stevie, First, work on teaching the Quiet command during the day using the Quiet method from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Second, during the day practice the Surprise method from the article linked below. Whenever pup stays quiet in the crate for 5 minutes, sprinkle some treats into the crate without opening it, then leave the room again. As he improves, only give the treats every 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, 3 hours. Practice crating him during the day for at least 1-3 hours each day that you can. If you are home during the day, have lots of 30 minute - 1 hour long sessions with breaks between to practice this, to help pup learn sooner. Whenever he cries in the crate, tell him "Quiet". If he gets quiet - Great! Sprinkle treats in after five minutes if he stays quiet. If he continues barking or stops and starts again, spray a quick puff of air from a pet convincer at his side through the crate while calmly saying "Ah Ah", then leave again. Only use unscented air canisters, DON'T use citronella! And avoid spraying in the face. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Repeat the rewards when quiet and the corrections whenever he cries. Practice for a few days until he is doing well during the day. When he cries at night before it has been 8 hours (so you know it's not a potty issue), tell him Quiet, and correct with the pet convincer if he doesn't become quiet and stay quiet. Commands like a structured heel, working up to a 1 Place command, and distance Down-Stay using a long leash are also good commands to practice for building more independence and confidence away from you. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Aug. 27, 2020
Daisy
Weimaraner
5 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
I am trying to crate train Daisy (5 months) and she is not loving it. Before putting her in the crate, I make sure she has been walked at least 30 minutes and has used the restroom. I will put a Kong filled with treat or a bone for her to chew on. She will go into her crate (which is in the living room) and I can shut the door. I will then around the house cleaning for about 15 minutes. She will bark the entire time. The longest she has been left along is 1.5 hours. I had a video on her and she barked the entire time. She will never touch her treats while she is in the crate. When I come back, I make her sit And be quiet before I open the door. When she comes out, she is soaking wet from barking the entire time. After she calms down, she will go back into her crate and get her treat and eat it. She is on week 3 of meds due to anxiety.
June 15, 2020
Daisy's Owner
Darlene Stott - Dog Trainer and Groomer
104 Dog owners recommended
Super cute! So, since she is on anxiety meds, this tells me Daisy is anxious in general. I am glad that you have seen the vet. I also recommend a behaviorist who can meet Daisy and assess what she needs. Please do so and perhaps the behaviorist can help. As well, how about trying an exercise pen for Daisy? Maybe she won't feel so confined. You still put in the crate in case she wants it. Many dogs find this to be a better space. Here is an excellent article on that: https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-set-up-puppy-long-term-confinement-area. Make sure she is getting lots of walks and exercise time. You can look into dog appeasing pheromones as well, which may calm Daisy (it is a diffuser with a calming scent).
June 17, 2020