Hi, I'm brand new to this forum (and to crate training). I am absolutely positive that I want to crate my new puppy, as my previous attempt at not crate training ended up with a 4 year old un-housebroken, garbage eating, table surfing dog. Here is my dilemma, this is a 6 week old pup (I know, really young, but mom rejected all the pups, won't even stay in the same room with them) who absolutely HATES the crate. The breeder apparently spoiled him rotten, because unless he is laying on someone all he does is bark to get your attention, then jump on you. When we put him in his crate, even if we are sitting right outside the door, he freaks out and starts barking, chewing the bars, etc... My husband and kids are home for the next 2 weeks during the day, so they can just supervise him then (and i have asked them not to pick him up constantly) but he has to go in there during the night. We put him in around 10pm at which point he starts making his racket. I am trying setting an alarm for every 2 hours and getting him out to potty, but he just tries to jump into your arms and won't even sniff the paper. I put him on the paper repeatedly for about 15 minutes, then back to the cage where he barks, cries, whines, etc... for the next 2 hours until I try to get him to go again. Unfortunately sometime in the 2 hours he also winds up peeing in the crate, then laying in it. We have only had him 2 days, but I need to see a light at the end of the tunnel, I am soo afraid he will hurt himself chewing the bars, and laying in pee can't be good either.
Brand New Pup (long)
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Mmmm - it does seem as though you've got your hands full. Well, I don't think there's any instant cure for you, but my suggestions would be as follows:
First I think you need to try to address the issues your pup has with the crate. You could do a search here on crate training, which is bound to turn up a lot of previous advice that you should be able to put to good use. But basically, during the night I think you need to think about things like positioning the crate in your bedroom where your pup can see/small/hear you (if you haven't already). A ticking clock and/or fluffy stuffed animal could possibly provide a little bit of comfort for your baby too.
At other times, you should try to convince your pup that his crate is a nice comfortable and safe place to be. Keep a crate in your family room (or wherever the 'hub' of activity is in your house) and if you can't convince him that he'd like to go in voluntarily for a nap, then anytime he falls asleep somewhere else you can transfer him to his crate. Feeding him in there is another technique that can help create positive associations for the puppy. None of that is an instant fix, but every little bit helps. Not every puppy takes to crates easily, but patience and consistency is the key. Again, do search the forums for previous threads on crate training. There are *many* threads here, and the experiences of others should prove useful to you.
I would suggest that you ditch the newspaper to potty on idea too. When you get your puppy up to take him to potty, it will probably be more effective if you're taking him outside. He's crying to be let out and to be with you - not just to potty. If you take him outside on a leash, that can help to get it through to him that he's out to do his business only, it's not play or cuddle time.
Lastly, as difficult as it can be, you *have* to ignore him anytime he's barking at you for attention or to get out the crate. Six weeks old he may be, but he's in a state of constant learning. And if you respond to his barking in any way at all, he *will* learn that it gets him something. And if he learns that, then it will just be longer before he settles down and and sleeps the night in his crate.
I know it's difficult (and he's an upset baby), but if you're absolutely consistent then he *will* eventually settle down. Good luck
First I think you need to try to address the issues your pup has with the crate. You could do a search here on crate training, which is bound to turn up a lot of previous advice that you should be able to put to good use. But basically, during the night I think you need to think about things like positioning the crate in your bedroom where your pup can see/small/hear you (if you haven't already). A ticking clock and/or fluffy stuffed animal could possibly provide a little bit of comfort for your baby too.
At other times, you should try to convince your pup that his crate is a nice comfortable and safe place to be. Keep a crate in your family room (or wherever the 'hub' of activity is in your house) and if you can't convince him that he'd like to go in voluntarily for a nap, then anytime he falls asleep somewhere else you can transfer him to his crate. Feeding him in there is another technique that can help create positive associations for the puppy. None of that is an instant fix, but every little bit helps. Not every puppy takes to crates easily, but patience and consistency is the key. Again, do search the forums for previous threads on crate training. There are *many* threads here, and the experiences of others should prove useful to you.
I would suggest that you ditch the newspaper to potty on idea too. When you get your puppy up to take him to potty, it will probably be more effective if you're taking him outside. He's crying to be let out and to be with you - not just to potty. If you take him outside on a leash, that can help to get it through to him that he's out to do his business only, it's not play or cuddle time.
Lastly, as difficult as it can be, you *have* to ignore him anytime he's barking at you for attention or to get out the crate. Six weeks old he may be, but he's in a state of constant learning. And if you respond to his barking in any way at all, he *will* learn that it gets him something. And if he learns that, then it will just be longer before he settles down and and sleeps the night in his crate.
I know it's difficult (and he's an upset baby), but if you're absolutely consistent then he *will* eventually settle down. Good luck
Doja's Mommy
Boxer Insane
Crate training.....
In order to start crate training, you have to make sure your puppy associates the crate with good things... for the first several days I would out treats in the crate and get her to follow them on in.... as soon as she would step all the way in, I would praise her lavishly.... I give her super great treats.... practically dog beef jerky. She loves it.... My puppy is almost 12 weeks and she is already okay with the crate. You can never punish her in the crate or put her in just as you are leaving.... make sure that she spends time in the crate while people are home as well, so your puppy does not associate it with the family leaving the house. If he wines, you have to ignore him, I know how loud baby boxers can be, but they learn very quickly. Ignore him , if you have to, rap on the top of the crate, and say NO, or Quiet. It will take a little time, but soon enough, he will be fine with the crate. Most importantly, you have to establish that what you say GOES. So when you tell him to be quiet, soon he will know, he has to do this... Also, when you first start crateing him, you have to make the time short.... when he is quiet, praise him, give him a treat and let him out. Just repeat the process over and over again......
In order to start crate training, you have to make sure your puppy associates the crate with good things... for the first several days I would out treats in the crate and get her to follow them on in.... as soon as she would step all the way in, I would praise her lavishly.... I give her super great treats.... practically dog beef jerky. She loves it.... My puppy is almost 12 weeks and she is already okay with the crate. You can never punish her in the crate or put her in just as you are leaving.... make sure that she spends time in the crate while people are home as well, so your puppy does not associate it with the family leaving the house. If he wines, you have to ignore him, I know how loud baby boxers can be, but they learn very quickly. Ignore him , if you have to, rap on the top of the crate, and say NO, or Quiet. It will take a little time, but soon enough, he will be fine with the crate. Most importantly, you have to establish that what you say GOES. So when you tell him to be quiet, soon he will know, he has to do this... Also, when you first start crateing him, you have to make the time short.... when he is quiet, praise him, give him a treat and let him out. Just repeat the process over and over again......
Doja's Mommy
Boxer Insane
more on crating......
you might just want to do a bit of reasearch on it to get it down to a T. but now is the perfect time to start with your baby being so young, I started crate training my puppy at 8 weeks, at first I didn't realize what a help it would be in housebreaking. I soon found out that housebreaking was almost impossible for me to do without the crate. Now, all is going well.... crating has many many benefits....
you might just want to do a bit of reasearch on it to get it down to a T. but now is the perfect time to start with your baby being so young, I started crate training my puppy at 8 weeks, at first I didn't realize what a help it would be in housebreaking. I soon found out that housebreaking was almost impossible for me to do without the crate. Now, all is going well.... crating has many many benefits....
Trying
I have been reading everything I can find here about crate training, I just needed a little personal encouragement. I have been trying to put him in there after he falls asleep other places and leave the door open, but he wakes up as soon as I pick him up and then runs out of the crate as fast as he can.(man they're quick!). I have also tried luring him in there with treats. He grabs the treat then makes a beeline for the door. We have been trying to ignore him when he cries, but I didn't realize it was OK to say "NO", I thought you had to totally ignore him (which is heartbreaking). I will try to have faith and keep it up, this is worse than my two real kids were!
I have been reading everything I can find here about crate training, I just needed a little personal encouragement. I have been trying to put him in there after he falls asleep other places and leave the door open, but he wakes up as soon as I pick him up and then runs out of the crate as fast as he can.(man they're quick!). I have also tried luring him in there with treats. He grabs the treat then makes a beeline for the door. We have been trying to ignore him when he cries, but I didn't realize it was OK to say "NO", I thought you had to totally ignore him (which is heartbreaking). I will try to have faith and keep it up, this is worse than my two real kids were!
Doja's Mommy
Boxer Insane
Saying No......
You can say no to him, or quiet, and then ignore him. The main thing is not to let him see you looking at him, and definately don't let him out when he cries. Try telling him quiet, and no... and rapping on the top of the crate saying, quiet..... and just wait... as soon as he stops making noises.... praise him and give him a treat while letting him out of the crate. Soon he will recognize, hmmm, if I'm quiet, I get a treat and get let out, and I get loved on... hmmm, not so bad. I put the treats far enough back in the crate so that she has to go all the way in, as soon as shes in, she gets the treat and I kind of keep her in there with my hands, with out her knowing...... I praise and love on her.... and let her back out. After you have done this several times a day for a few days. Shut the door, let him stay in there for a few.... and keep working your way up on time.... soon enough, it will work.
And for paper training, I find that this only confuses them, unless you want them to eliminate in the house ultimately. Otherwise, skip the paper and take em out side... Trust me, after you have had him for about a week, you will know when he needs to go, and to be honest with you, you can't expect much in the 'holding' the potty area from a 6 week old. Don't expect more than he can do.... they can't really 'hold it' till they're like 12 weeks... They arent even in control of urges till they are 11 weeks... so, puppies that small, need to go out and go potty every 30 minutes, right after play, or eating/drinking... also, as soon as they wake up, I know puppies sleep and wake up all the time, so yes, this does mean you have to take him out all the time. I would suggest getting the boxers for dummies book, it will tell you most of what you need to know about your baby... then just research...... I researched the breed for about 5 months prior to getting my baby..... and for that I am thankful..... Its super important not set the puppy up to fail.... I have to remind myself of that on a regular basis.
You can say no to him, or quiet, and then ignore him. The main thing is not to let him see you looking at him, and definately don't let him out when he cries. Try telling him quiet, and no... and rapping on the top of the crate saying, quiet..... and just wait... as soon as he stops making noises.... praise him and give him a treat while letting him out of the crate. Soon he will recognize, hmmm, if I'm quiet, I get a treat and get let out, and I get loved on... hmmm, not so bad. I put the treats far enough back in the crate so that she has to go all the way in, as soon as shes in, she gets the treat and I kind of keep her in there with my hands, with out her knowing...... I praise and love on her.... and let her back out. After you have done this several times a day for a few days. Shut the door, let him stay in there for a few.... and keep working your way up on time.... soon enough, it will work.
And for paper training, I find that this only confuses them, unless you want them to eliminate in the house ultimately. Otherwise, skip the paper and take em out side... Trust me, after you have had him for about a week, you will know when he needs to go, and to be honest with you, you can't expect much in the 'holding' the potty area from a 6 week old. Don't expect more than he can do.... they can't really 'hold it' till they're like 12 weeks... They arent even in control of urges till they are 11 weeks... so, puppies that small, need to go out and go potty every 30 minutes, right after play, or eating/drinking... also, as soon as they wake up, I know puppies sleep and wake up all the time, so yes, this does mean you have to take him out all the time. I would suggest getting the boxers for dummies book, it will tell you most of what you need to know about your baby... then just research...... I researched the breed for about 5 months prior to getting my baby..... and for that I am thankful..... Its super important not set the puppy up to fail.... I have to remind myself of that on a regular basis.
lovemygracie
Super Boxer
It will get better!
Just wanted to offer some encouragment! If you try to make the crate as pleasant as possible while not giving in to the whining/barking, I'm sure your puppy will soon accept being in the crate. They are a lot of work in the beginning, but they grow up fast so it won't be this hard forever!
I second what gmacleod said about the paper--it is less confusing for the puppy if you teach from the beginning that outside is the only acceptable place to potty. (Your baby is young though, so accidents in the crate are inevitable.) Good luck!
Just wanted to offer some encouragment! If you try to make the crate as pleasant as possible while not giving in to the whining/barking, I'm sure your puppy will soon accept being in the crate. They are a lot of work in the beginning, but they grow up fast so it won't be this hard forever!
I second what gmacleod said about the paper--it is less confusing for the puppy if you teach from the beginning that outside is the only acceptable place to potty. (Your baby is young though, so accidents in the crate are inevitable.) Good luck!
Anna Begins
Completely Boxer Crazy
Luka was raised in a crate at the breeders, but still barked when he went in at home with me. I took a week and 1/2 off when I got him and I'd put him in his crate at different times of the day when I was home. If he barked or whined, I'd tell him no, once I hit the top of the crate and it stopped him right away, then he'd start up again. So, I picked up a book and sat on the couch. About 2 or 3 minutes later, he aclamed down. I waited a minute or two, then let him out.
Being that he'd be in the crate while I was working, I also left him alone for an hour or so in the mornings.
Luka also came up with a game he liked to play. I have a wire crate for him and he liked it if I knelt down at the back while he was out of the crate at the front. He loved it if I called his name/ or ahad a treat while at the back- he'd jump in and play with my fingers or grab the treat. About two weeks later, he started going in on his own. He still dowesn't like the door closed too much, but he's quite- as long as I'm home. I hear him barking when I leave for work, I assume it's only for a few minutes.
Make sure your pup is clam before you let her out. Sometimes I'd throw some treats in thru the top- he liked that. Luka has a Kong that I stuff, I don't think it keeps him any quieter, but gives him something to do. check out www.kongcompany.com It took him awhile to figure it out.
Crate training is hard, they just have to get used to it. There is only so much you can do.
The seperation thing is tough- Luka has some seperation anxiety too.
I tried puppy pads too, but it was easier to take Luka out to the same spot everytime- he seemed to know it was time to do buisness. He wasn't food driven so praise worked great for him. I think the pads were confusing for him- "wait, I'm suposed to go outside, but inside on these?"
Being that he'd be in the crate while I was working, I also left him alone for an hour or so in the mornings.
Luka also came up with a game he liked to play. I have a wire crate for him and he liked it if I knelt down at the back while he was out of the crate at the front. He loved it if I called his name/ or ahad a treat while at the back- he'd jump in and play with my fingers or grab the treat. About two weeks later, he started going in on his own. He still dowesn't like the door closed too much, but he's quite- as long as I'm home. I hear him barking when I leave for work, I assume it's only for a few minutes.
Make sure your pup is clam before you let her out. Sometimes I'd throw some treats in thru the top- he liked that. Luka has a Kong that I stuff, I don't think it keeps him any quieter, but gives him something to do. check out www.kongcompany.com It took him awhile to figure it out.
Crate training is hard, they just have to get used to it. There is only so much you can do.
The seperation thing is tough- Luka has some seperation anxiety too.
I tried puppy pads too, but it was easier to take Luka out to the same spot everytime- he seemed to know it was time to do buisness. He wasn't food driven so praise worked great for him. I think the pads were confusing for him- "wait, I'm suposed to go outside, but inside on these?"
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