Crating in Class

[cmae]

We are starting a new class at a new club next week. Up until this point, Cruz has never had to be crated in class because there has always only been him and maybe 1-2 other dogs in class. This club requires dogs to be crated when not working. Usually in class I ask for sits and downs while waiting and he is pretty good with focusing, but obviously this is a bit harder when crated. He is crate trained, but likely won't be quiet when he sees that other dogs get to have fun without him. Any tips on how to handle this?

 

[labgirl]

When Sparrow did her puppy agility she was required to be crated. She was not too bad about watching over dogs, but some people found their dogs barked. They would cover the crates with a blanket, or such, to prevent the dog seeing others move, and this seemed to help.

Sparrow got so good with her crate, that as soon as we finished an exercise i would say 'go to your crate' and she would run straight in. She did always get a treat for going in.

 

[Calliesmom]

When Sparrow did her puppy agility she was required to be crated. She was not too bad about watching over dogs, but some people found their dogs barked. They would cover the crates with a blanket, or such, to prevent the dog seeing others move, and this seemed to help.

Sparrow got so good with her crate, that as soon as we finished an exercise i would say 'go to your crate' and she would run straight in. She did always get a treat for going in.

that is what I have always done- treat in the crate and covered so that they can't see what is going on outside.....

 

[corbinam]

Wish I could help. None of my guys are very good at taking turns...

 

[Shelby's mom]

Shelby was great in the crate at home, but terrible in class. She would bark the entire time just because she was so eager to get out and work. Even with the crate covered. I would give her a frozen kong, and she would get bored with that. I was at my wits end trying everything possible to keep her quite. Fortunately for me everyone in our class was very understanding.

Finially it got to the point we would all just ignored her. And then she eventually realized that barking would get her nothing. Now she is very good in the crate. She might bark when I close the door but then stop.

It did take a long time and a lot of patience, but after about a dozen classes (Shelby is very stubborn) she was much better.

 

[Silaria]

Crating while in class and learning self-control while in the crate is a great skill for your dog to have especially if you intend to compete one day. We actually introduce crate training, even if the dog is already crate trained, as part of our beginner level curriculum. As others have suggested, cover the crate to restrict what they can see. Reward while quiet in the crate, especially when other dogs are working.

Crating in class is also a for the dog's safety if you are in a class where dogs work off leash. If the working dog gets away from the handler, you never know what will happen. I've seen dogs jump fences and go after dogs sitting and waiting their turn. It doesn't happen often but it can, and does, happen.