Crates and Housetraining
So, how do you housetrain a rottweiler? The first step in housetraining is to buy a crate and teach your rottie to use it. Unfortunately, crates are the most misunderstood tool in the dog trainer's arsenal.
How Dogs See a Crate
When non-dog people look at crates, they see a cage or perhaps a box or shipping container. They think, “Oh, how cruel! I would never want to be in a crate!” However, these people are anthropomorphizing. (That is, ascribing human feelings and emotions to something that isn't human — in this case, a dog.) A dog sees the crate as a safe place — a hidey-hole away from something potentially dangerous — or a place to sleep undisturbed. If you've ever seen a dog that becomes fearful during an electrical storm, you'll see him look for something to hide under. It is a natural instinct that dogs inherited from their wolf ancestors. Wolves make their homes in dens, a hole with low ceilings. Wolves won't defecate or urinate in their den, unless they're sick or have no choice. You can harness that natural desire to maintain cleanliness in your rottweiler.
Types of Crates
There are two types of crates you should consider when purchasing one for your rottweiler: wire and travel crates. There are some cloth and PVC crates out there, but these are intended for obedience-trained dogs, not as a regular crate.
Wire crates allow for more air circulation and many are now foldable, so you can transport them anywhere. Choose a crate with a good latch and a heavy wire gauge to discourage Houdini-type antics. If you choose a wire crate, be certain that the metal is thick enough so your rottweiler can't chew it or bend it with a push of his nose.
There is such a thing as too much time in the crate. If you don't have enough time to spend with your rottie or if you're stuck in a job that requires long hours some days, consider hiring a pet sitter to exercise your dog.
Travel crates are plastic and more enclosed. They usually offer the dog a bit more protection than wire crates. Purchase one that is airline approved. If you can, choose one with circular fasteners that lock the crate together with one twist (the bolt and wing-nut fasteners are time-consuming and aggravating). Also, be certain that the latching is sturdy and secure. A bonus to travel crates is that if they're airline approved, you can use your dog's crate to hold him if you're traveling someplace.
Crates are convenient for traveling with your rottweiler and training him, too.
Fitting the Crate
The crate should be big enough so an adult rottweiler can stand up, turn around, and lie down. While this seems a little cramped, remember that wolves don't have a lot of room in their dens. Their dens insulate them against the cold air. If you buy an adult crate for your rottie puppy, be sure to cordon off the crate so that he won't make a mess in one portion and lie down in another. Some puppy owners buy a smaller puppy crate (usually inexpensive) and switch to the adult crate when their rottie grows out of the first one.
When to Use a Crate
Keep your rottweiler in his crate when you can't watch him inside. This prevents your rottweiler from sneaking off and relieving himself in the next room or chewing something he's not supposed to. Give him a toy or a nice chew to keep him occupied. Feed him in his crate and give him treats in there, too. Let him know that this is his safe place.
Almost all dogs prefer crates, but there are occasionally those that can't tolerate them. These dogs are usually adults that were never trained properly to accept a crate. In this instance, an x-pen or cordoned-off area, like a small room, might work.
Training to Accept a Crate
Most people think that they can just pop their puppy in a crate without any prior training. This is fine if you're not planning to get any sleep. Don't force your dog to go into the crate; instead, toss treats into the crate to get him to enter. After he enters the crate, give him a toy or favorite chew. If you aren't giving a good enough treat to lure him into the crate, use something really tempting, such as a piece of hot dog or some cold cuts.
Exercise your rottweiler before you put him in the crate for longer periods (bedtime, leaving for work or school). Take him for a long walk or play fetch with him. (Also make sure that he eliminates.) The idea is to tire out your rottweiler so all he wants to do is sleep. A sleepy puppy is a happy puppy and one that is not likely to fuss.
Music to Your Rottie's Ears
When you leave for a long time, you might want to consider leaving on some light music or the television, tuned to an innocuous channel such as the Weather Channel or something that has soothing music. Don't tune into talk radio or television that has a lot of noise and violence — you want your rottweiler to sleep, not become a political animal.
Being tired combined with soothing music helps calm down a puppy. The music eventually reinforces that it is naptime. Some people have actually recorded music for pets. You can try some of those CDs or try soothing sounds of nature or some light jazz.
Along with CDs of various kinds of music, you can also make a tape of your voice. Read a boring book into a cassette recorder and play it while you're gone. The soothing sound of your voice might be music to your rottweiler's ears.
How Long Is Too Long?
As a word of caution, remember that a dog can be left in a crate too long. Never leave your adult rottweiler in a crate for longer than nine hours at a time. If your rottweiler is a puppy younger than six months, don't leave him in the crate longer than four hours. If you are unable to let him out at least to relieve himself, have a friend or relative come over or hire a pet sitter.
