https://youtu.be/dB-0IpL4Abk?si=jzij_7Qe2kxtxu-s
For future reference unfortunately, I can not respond to every training question. However, if you sign up for one of my programs, there’s a forum within the program, which is the best place to post questions. One of our very experienced trainers, will then give you a detailed response. There’s also a lot more training content within. You can get in touch with the help desk or check the programs out yourself at https://www.theonlinedogtrainer.com to find out more. Cheers Dan

Old enough now to get rid of the crate? What do I do if he comes to our room?

He’s old enough now. Go with your gut.

Hi Deborah,
Multiple puppies of the same age can be challenging……but also a lot of fun!
When you go to get them out of the crate in the morning try waiting for them to be quiet and have all 4 paws on the ground. An important part of this happening quickly is for you to avoid speaking to them or making eye contact, just stand calmly and quietly by the crate door and when they are calm you can open it.
I have a really fantastic resource for helping owners raise happy & well behaved puppies. You can find it on my membership website (theonlinedogtrainer.com) and it really will help guide yo in the right direction, and restore calm to your household! All the Best, Doggy Dan

Hi Sandy, some puppies really struggle with crate training. If it is causing them a significant amount of anxiety then it may be better to look at another option to confine them, such as placing a puppy pen around their crate or using barriers/baby gates to cordon off a smaller area of your home.
One thing to avoid when crate training is closing the door on your puppy if they venture in there without you asking them to, otherwise they will avoid going in there. Set up some training sessions where you ask your puppy to go into their crate, give them a treat and close the door BUT only for a few seconds and then open it again and allow them to come out. There’s no need to ask your puppy to ‘sit/lay down’ and avoid forcing them to go into the crate. Practice frequently with the aim of very gradually extending the time the door is closed, out try to work within their comfort zone…..freaking them out totally will be counterproductive!
All the Best, Doggy Dan

Hi Kerri Allen,
You can use your puppy’s crate for both Time-Out & for sleeping…the key is to create a clear distinction between those two scenarios. When your puppy needs a Time-Out just calmly and quietly place them in their crate and walk away. However, if you are asking your puppy to go into their crate to sleep or just be out of the way for a bit then make sure you praise/treat them when they go in there. When I was a kid I was sent to my room to sleep & also for Time-out…..but I knew the difference between the two based on my parents behaviour…..it didn’t once occur to me not to go to my room to sleep at night because I was earlier sent there as punishment because of how I was sent there. Hope that makes sense! Doggy Dan

Hi Mary,
Consistency and calm (on your part) us really key in helping your younger puppy understand how you want him/her to interact with your older puppy. If you see a behaviour you don’t like then calmly move your puppy away from the other puppy a few metres…all without saying anything. When you can feel your puppy relax then you can let them go again, and if they return to pester you other puppy then repeat the process. If they repeat the behaviour a third time, in quick succession then follow up with a Time-Out for a minute or two….or place that puppy in their crate/pen/another room as a consequence for not using a little more self-control. You may need to repeat this quite a few time before your younger puppy understands the message you are trying to convey, but if you are consistent then they will adapt their behaviour. Hope that helps! Doggy Dan

Hi Jeff,
That’s what I’m here for, to motivate owners to start making their lives and that of their dogs a little easier! All the best…Doggy Dan