Is it too late to get a crate for a Sheltie?
- Thread starter Barb
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No he is only 6 weeks old and your puppy will thank you for it. Scout was 8 weeks old when we got him and we didn't crate him at first. We had two cats, and one of them was terrible to him (he was confined in a area but that one cat would leap over the gate and scare him!) so for his safety we got the large dog carrier (served when we went traveling long distance in the car he went into the crate for safety sake). Worked well for potty training as well. Go get whatever crate you prefer and it will make your life easier knowing where he is when you are not around. Good luck. 
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graydawntreader
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As the others have said, it's not too late. I don't think that it's ever too late at any age. Treader is 1 1/2 (according to the vet) and we started him on a crate almost as soon as we got him
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mcguiregirl2248
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I have to agree with everyone else. My master bedroom is a nightmare because we have 3 crates in it. The girls know that their crates are their safe spot. My girls are so funny. They know our routine right down to the minute I swear. Every morning we leave around 7:05 - 7:10, all three girls will get in their crates and wait for us to lock them in. Your pup will love it and it will become routine!
SeaGlassHeart
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My Sheltie is 3 months old and I just started crate training him. It's going well and sometimes he gets into the crate on his own just to lay on his blanket and chew on his bone. I was so afraid he wouldn't get used to it but it seems that after 4 days he was favorable to it. 
elaine2004
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Barb
You have a very young Sheltie. It is deffinately not too late for crate training. Just bring your baby to the crate and feed her in the crate with door open and lots of praise. Do this and have her chew toys there let her investigate and soon she will be going there on her own for her times where she wants to be alone or unbothered. Best of luck, and Sheltie hugs to your Fur baby.
You have a very young Sheltie. It is deffinately not too late for crate training. Just bring your baby to the crate and feed her in the crate with door open and lots of praise. Do this and have her chew toys there let her investigate and soon she will be going there on her own for her times where she wants to be alone or unbothered.
Best of luck, and Sheltie hugs to your Fur baby.graydawntreader
Forums Enthusiast
Positive experience
Oh, and always, always make the crate a positive experience. It shouldn't be used for punishment, ever.
Ways to make the crate a positive experience:
Feed him in the crate.
This will not only help him to like the crate, but dogs won't potty where they eat. Oh, this brings up another point. If the crate is too big, then he may use one side for a bathroom and the other for eating or sleeping. The crate should be just big enough for him to lay down, turn around, and sit comfortably. Since he is currently a little guy, get a crate that he will still fit as an adult, but block off part of it temporarily.
Play with him, and make the crate part of the game.
My Sheltie [mix] likes to play fetch and run after toys. To make him like his crate even more, sometimes I would toss one of his toys into the crate.
You can put him in the crate at night. At first he may whine, but ignore him and he will eventually quit whining in the crate.
I had to do this with Treader.
Put a nice, comfy little blanket that has your smell on it in the crate.
Your smell will help comfort him.
The crate is useful if you go somewhere you can crate your dog up so that he can't cause any trouble. Since your Sheltie is a puppy and still learning, you need to watch him when at all possible so that you can correct bad behaviors. When you can't, he should be in his crate.
Oh, and always, always make the crate a positive experience. It shouldn't be used for punishment, ever.
Ways to make the crate a positive experience:
Feed him in the crate.
This will not only help him to like the crate, but dogs won't potty where they eat. Oh, this brings up another point. If the crate is too big, then he may use one side for a bathroom and the other for eating or sleeping. The crate should be just big enough for him to lay down, turn around, and sit comfortably. Since he is currently a little guy, get a crate that he will still fit as an adult, but block off part of it temporarily.
Play with him, and make the crate part of the game.
My Sheltie [mix] likes to play fetch and run after toys. To make him like his crate even more, sometimes I would toss one of his toys into the crate.
You can put him in the crate at night. At first he may whine, but ignore him and he will eventually quit whining in the crate.
I had to do this with Treader.
Put a nice, comfy little blanket that has your smell on it in the crate.
Your smell will help comfort him.
The crate is useful if you go somewhere you can crate your dog up so that he can't cause any trouble. Since your Sheltie is a puppy and still learning, you need to watch him when at all possible so that you can correct bad behaviors. When you can't, he should be in his crate.
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