Lesson 2: Shhhh
Goal is for your puppy to remain quiet in the crate with the door closed for 3 minutes while you drop treats in.
TIME REQUIRED
Lesson 2 usually takes two days to a week, with a few 5-10 minutes sessions a day. Some pups will complete Lesson 2 the first day.
WHEN TO MOVE ON TO LESSON 3
You are ready to move on to Lesson 3 after your puppy is able to be quiet in the crate for 3 minutes with lots of treats but no earthquakes for two consecutive sessions.
Setting Up For Lesson 2
You will need a sheet covering the crate and something to time these sessions.
You will also need to pick two cues before you start this lesson so you can introduce them to your pup:
Crate cue - Your crate cue, we use the word "kennel," means "go into whatever is in front of you." It can eventually be used to tell your pup to get into a crate in the house or car, or go into the expen. This is a great all-purpose command.
Release cue - Your release cue tells your puppy/dog when an exercise is over. In the case of crate training, we use it to tell puppies when they can get out of the crate. I use the word “break”.
Now get ready to do your next crate-training session
Get a timer or a smartphone with an alarm.
You WILL need the sheet covering the crate for this lesson.
Be sure your treats are high value.
Plan your training sessions for what your puppy is hungry.
Be sure the room is cool enough so your pup is comfortable.
Before starting, scatter a handful of treats towards the middle and back of the crate.
Take your puppy out to potty immediately before you begin training so you are sure he does not need to pee or poop.
Training Steps - Lesson 2
Plan to do two 10-minute sessions a day until your pup is successful at Lesson 2.
Set your timer for 2 minutes.
ONLY 2 WORDS TO USE: You are going to add the crate and release cues to Lesson 1s sequence now. Say "kennel" and place your puppy in the crate, closing and latching the door, and dropping treats through the top or sides. (Just move the sheet aside or back to do this.)
BE QUIET -- don’t talk to your pup during this session.
Continue dropping treats as long as the pup is not barking, crying, or trying to get out. If your pup starts barking or howling, go to Section A below.
PART A: Your puppy stays quiet (quiet | treats | release)
Continue dropping treats as long as the pup is not barking, crying, or trying to get out. If your pup starts barking or howling, go to the sections below.
If your pup stays quiet until the timer goes off, open the crate, say "BREAK" and let your puppy out of the crate.
Repeat these steps a second time.
Take your pup out to potty. That’s it for this session!
In your next sessions, increase the time on the timer by 15 seconds until your pup can do 3 minutes quietly and uncovered.
PART B: Your puppy starts barking (bark | cover | quiet | uncover | treats | release)
After your pup barks a few times, say nothing and quickly drop the sheet over the front of the crate. The crate should now be completely covered so your pup cannot see out.
Give the puppy 10 to 15 seconds to stop barking.
The moment your pup stops barking, start to lift the front of the sheet.
If your pup barks while the sheet is going up, immediately drop the sheet and do not give the pup a treat. Do your best to only lift the sheet completely while your puppy is quiet.
Once you are able to completely lift the sheet, go back to dropping treats every second or two while your pup is quiet. If it barks again, repeat steps 1 through 5.
End your session by releasing your puppy from the crate only when it is quiet. Open the crate door, say "BREAK," and let your puppy out of the crate. If the timer goes off when the pup is barking, DO NOT take it out of the crate unless you think it needs to potty. Wait until the pup is quiet, even if only for a second. Then quickly start talking to your puppy while lifting the sheet and opening the door, saying "BREAK," and letting it out of the crate to end the session.
As always, take your pup out to potty after your session.