Crate Training?

**porkpistol** · 11-19-2011, 07:01 AM

Hey all I've only had my pup for one night now not even 24hrs but I'm trying to get him used to his crate. He is 9wks...I put him in there last night about 11pm he was excellent didn't make a peep.. I set my alarm for 2am to get up and let him out took him straight outside went potty then back to the crate...now he hates it and won't stop barking and whining.

I know I need to ignore him which I am doing..but my question is should I be placing him in his crate to get used to it or let him go in there on his own only because he is really hesitant on going in even with food or treats leading to it or placed in front of his nose...so I have been placing him in there..I don't know if maybe he is scared now cause he has been forced in or what? Also I read about placing a sheet over the crate so he cannot see out, but then I read that if they see you it might calm them down...neither has worked? Any advice?

**porkpistol** · 11-19-2011, 09:13 AM

Ok update he is going in and out with food now seems to be liking it more, all this morning I would coax him in with food praise him when he entered shut the door leave him for a minute or two then let him back out when he was still calm and praise him more. Guess I'll just keep doing this.

**Tanya** · 11-19-2011, 09:33 AM

I would feed him in his crate (at meals, door open), and random throw high value treats in there unexpectedly for him to find.

I personally would always throw in a few treats or kibble in there when I put him in, I do this with adult I crate train as well.

and what you are doing with short sessions is good as well. don't forget the crying is not just about "the crate being a bad place" but because they want to be with or or be playing.

**Red Fraggle** · 11-20-2011, 07:48 PM

Wembley's crate is in the living room. I turned the TV on to keep him company and it seemed to help. I've also been tossing treats in when he's not looking for him to find later. So far, he's not going in there of his own accord, but he's only been with us for two nights so far and was extremely clingy and anxious when we brought him home. He does settle down for the night eventually though and I don't hear a peep out of him from there till he hears me moving about again.

**Beerfish** · 11-21-2011, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by porkpistol

Ok update he is going in and out with food now seems to be liking it more, all this morning I would coax him in with food praise him when he entered shut the door leave him for a minute or two then let him back out when he was still calm and praise him more. Guess I'll just keep doing this.

You are doing it right, keep up the good work. Puppy probably thought it was play time once you let him out at 2 am. Just keep to you plan and has puppy grows extend the time. It won't be long before puppy can sleep through the night.

**porkpistol** · 11-21-2011, 07:35 PM

Ok he kept us up all night again last night. I played with him for a while took him out to potty then straight to the crate at 10pm gave him a kong filled with some goodies kept him entertained for maybe 20mins then the barking and whining started and never stopped. Now a little bit of info, my other dog is in our room with us not in her kennel she sleeps on her own bed our door is closed, Quincy is in the living room the crate is covered with a sheet, I left some soft music on a music station on my tv. He has a stuffed animal in there a small bone and a kong. I had my alarm set for 1am give him 3 hours then get up to go potty. But he whined from 10:30 till 1 when I got up. Now when he heard me moving around he was quiet for a minute or two so I let him out when he was quiet. Went potty then right back in the crate covered the sheet and went back to bed he was quiet for a couple mins then whined again all the way to 5:30 when I got up he never stopped once he barks over and over.

Some people are telling me to put the crate in our room next to our bed so hes close to us. But then I read you don't want to give him any attention or anything at all when he is whining. He is going in and out during the day he never stays in there though. Also he lays on the tile in my entryway a lot like hes hot. Maybe I should take his blankets out and just let him lay on the plastic tray? Could he be hot in the crate? If i put him in the bedroom should I leave the crate uncovered so he can see us or should I cover it, and if he starts whining should I talk to him to sooth him or reach down and touch his crate or just ignore him still?

**tammyhuffman** · 11-21-2011, 08:06 PM

I have kept Maxx's crate next to my side of the bed since bringing him home and have never had a problem. I only had to get up with him twice in 2 months, the first week home. Maxx goes out for the last time between 9:30 10:00 PM, I get a couple of pieces of dried liver or chicken treats and he usually beats me to the bedroom to get in his crate! He sleeps until the alarm goes off at 5:30 AM, he just turned 4 mos old. On the weekend he will go back to sleep on the bed with us after going potty and eating his breakfast until 9 or so. Sounds to me like your puppy feels lonely. You could try moving the crate in to your bedroom, it may help a lot.

**porkpistol** · 11-21-2011, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by tammyhuffman

I have kept Maxx's crate next to my side of the bed since bringing him home and have never had a problem. I only had to get up with him twice in 2 months, the first week home. Maxx goes out for the last time between 9:30 10:00 PM, I get a couple of pieces of dried liver or chicken treats and he usually beats me to the bedroom to get in his crate! He sleeps until the alarm goes off at 5:30 AM, he just turned 4 mos old. On the weekend he will go back to sleep on the bed with us after going potty and eating his breakfast until 9 or so. Sounds to me like your puppy feels lonely. You could try moving the crate in to your bedroom, it may help a lot.

Well I think I might try it tonight..if he whines/barks should I still ignore him? Did you talk to Maxx to soothe him if he ever did get upset or just ignore him?

**Sophiesmama** · 11-21-2011, 08:10 PM

I wouldn't cover the crate. He's not a bird. That would be awful for me if I couldn't see out. I think he is needing to be close to you at night. I'd put him in the bedroom with you, so you can comfort him by telling him you are there. Labs are people dogs. When you leave him in the other room, he'll cry whether he is in the crate or not. I wouldn't take his blanket out either. Our lab likes to lay on her belly on the cool tile, but at bed time she is snuggled between me and my husband. Body temperature lowers when sleeping. I would touch the crate, even stick fingers through so he can feel your presence.