The Complete Guide to Dog Cage Shih Tzu Crate Training

Training a Shih Tzu in a dog cage can be a bit challenging due to their independent nature.

The ideal age to start crate training a Shih Tzu is between 8 and 12 weeks old, as they are most receptive to new environments and habits at this stage.

Shih Tzus can thrive in a crate with a spacious area of at least 12 inches wide, 18 inches long, and 18 inches tall, allowing for comfortable standing, sitting, and turning around.

A crate with a comfortable bedding, such as a soft blanket or towel, can make your Shih Tzu feel more at ease and secure in their new environment.

A different take: Dog Crate for Shih Tzu

Choosing the right crate for your Shih Tzu is crucial for successful crating. A crate should be just big enough for your dog to stand, sit, lay, turn, and stretch.

The ideal crate size for an adult Shih Tzu is typically 24 inches in length, 18 inches in width, and 19 inches in height. You can also consider a crate with a sliding divider to adjust the length as your pup grows.

Crates come in various sizes and colors, making it easy to find one that fits your home decor. They are also easy to clean, which is a must-have for any pet owner.

To ensure a safe and comfortable crating experience, remember these guidelines:

Crating a Shih Tzu can be a safe and effective way to train your dog, but it's essential to do it right. A crate can become a prison or a den, depending on how it's used.

To crate train a Shih Tzu, start by associating the crate with something pleasant, such as a rubber chew toy with a hollow center. This can be stuffed with tasty fillings like kibble, peanut butter, or plain yogurt.

A crate should never be used as a punishment, and it's crucial to provide your dog with something safe to keep it entertained while in the crate. Some items to avoid leaving in a crate include tennis balls, nylon bones, and rope toys.

To ensure your dog's safety, exercise and play with your dog before confining it to a crate, and take it for a nice walk after letting it out.

Crating a Shih Tzu can be a challenging process, but with patience and the right approach, it can be a successful one. The crate training process should always be associated with something pleasant.

You should never use the crate as a punishment, as this can create negative associations for your dog. Training should take place in a series of small steps, taking your time and not rushing the process.

It's essential to remember that crate training can take at least six months before your Shih Tzu is fully trained. This requires patience and consistency from you as a dog owner.

Here are some key steps to keep in mind during the crate training process:

Keep in mind that every dog is different, and some may take longer than others to adjust to their crate. If your Shih Tzu doesn't take to the crate immediately, don't despair and give up.

Crating a Shih Tzu requires patience and consistency. Crate training can take at least six months to be fully effective.

To make crate training a success, it's essential to associate the crate with something pleasant. This means never using the crate as a punishment, as mentioned in the crate training process.

Exercise and play with your dog before confining it to a crate. This will help your Shih Tzu relax and feel comfortable in its new space. A nice walk after letting it out of its crate is also a great idea.

Here are some items to avoid leaving in your Shih Tzu's crate:

Providing your pup with something safe to keep it entertained in its crate is crucial. A rubber chew toy with a hollow center, stuffed with kibble, peanut butter, or plain yogurt, can be a great option.

Training a Shih Tzu puppy to use a crate requires patience and consistency. Give your puppy rewards for staying in the crate each time he is successful, and he will learn to stay longer without whining.

Suggestion: Shihtzu Puppies

To encourage good behavior, take your puppy outside right away in the morning to go potty, and give him a reward once he wakes up. This helps him associate going outside with a positive experience.

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

Tire your Shih Tzu puppy out before bedtime, especially if you're dealing with a high-energy pup. This might mean extra playtime, so he's nice and tired once it's time for him to go into his crate to go to bed.

To train your Shih Tzu puppy to go to sleep in their crate, practice is key. Practice this every single night with your Shih Tzu puppy. It will take some time, but eventually, when you use the command, he will go into his crate to go to sleep.

Place your Shih Tzu's crate in a busy part of the house during the day. This should be a small crate, so if you want to move it for night time sleep, it shouldn't be very difficult to do.

Consistency is crucial when it comes to crate training. Your Shih Tzu puppy needs to know that the crate is their sleeping place, and that it's time to go to sleep when they enter it.

When you're introducing a dog cage to your Shih Tzu's routine, it's essential to be aware of some potential issues that may arise.

Never use the crate as a punishment, as your dog will come to fear it and refuse to enter it.

Don't leave your dog in the crate for too long, as this can lead to depression, anxiety, or destructive behaviors. Puppies under six months of age shouldn't be crated for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time, as they can't hold their bladder for that long.

Rewarding bad behavior, such as whining or crying, can create more problems than it solves. Instead, wait for your dog to stop whining before letting them out of the crate.

A crate is not a solution for separation anxiety, as it may even lead to injuries in an attempt to escape. If you suspect your dog has separation anxiety, consult a professional animal-behavior specialist for help.

You can help prevent issues by following these simple guidelines:

Advanced dog owners know that crate training is not just about confining their Shih Tzu, but about creating a safe and positive experience for their pet.

Using a crate can be a prison or a den, depending on the way it's used. In the hands of a responsible pet owner, a crate can be the safest place for a dog to be while home alone.

To make crate time enjoyable for your Shih Tzu, use a command word and praise your dog as soon as they enter the crate. This helps associate the crate with good emotions.

The crate is a great place to give treats often, especially high-value treats that your dog goes nuts over. A high-value treat can be something like a raw meaty bone, a bully stick, or a filled Kong.

Here are some tips for using treats in the crate:

By following these tips, you can turn your Shih Tzu's crate into a den, not a prison.