how to crate train when using crate to pick up new puppy?

[meganwf]

I'll be picking up a new puppy in early April and making the 8-9 hr trip back home that same day. I have a crate for the pup to travel in and will have a crate and gates set up in the kitchen (waterproof) area and another crate next to my bed for sleeping. Obviously I want him to love his crate and will just be using it for travel, sleep and when we can't take him with us (not more than an hour or two a day at the most). I use positive reinforcement training which in the books means putting treats in front of and in the crate and getting him used to it over a number of days. But when you need to put him in it right from the start and don't have a few days to get him used to it -- does that matter? I'll still have toys and chewies and kongs for him to enjoy in it so that it is a great place to be... anything I'm overlooking?

Thanks!

[longshadowfarms]

Basically, you'll just have to wing it. When traveling allow for extra time on the return trip for play/potty breaks. Some dogs take right to the crate (usually dogs that are more submissive) and others take a lot of time to accept it. Some never learn to enjoy it. The only time my Basset will go in there is if there's no more comfortable bed available so I'd say that a comfy sleep pad would be helpful

[Maura]

Don't get a puppy before it's eight weeks old, ten is better. Besides being easier to train and housebreak, the puppy will have better bladder control. Ask the breeder to give the puppy a pillow or mat that will easily fit into your crate. I'm guessing the travel crate will be large enough for the puppy to move around in, in which case you want the mat or pillow to be about half the size of the crate. If the puppy's already got a mat that he considers his "bed", he will be more accepting of the crate and more likely to hold his urine as long as he can. Make frequent potty breaks. The movement of the car will help to rock him to sleep once he settles into it. Don't coo at him when he starts fussing. You don't want to reward him for misbehavior, but as soon as he quiets, give him a chewy treat. It might help if you saved a stuffed kong (they make soft puppy sizes) for when he gets active. Enjoy the ride.