Crate Question....

[SBilz]

Hi all. I have been looking for an answer to a problem. My little Martha, 9 wk, does not like her crate one bit. We have tried all kinds of thing to get her in there and to accept it with no luck. I have read that you should not force them in if they don't like it. Is this true? Should I give up on the crate and find a way to confine her in the kitchen when we are not with her? She is only alone for no more then 2-3 hours a day. Any ideas would be a great help.
Thanks.

 

[Evie&Adam]

she is still so young. Keep trying the crate for a bit longer. If you do some searchs under training and also for separation anxiety- you will find tons of suggestions.

Best of luck!

 

[Coco'smommy]

Keep at it....

The pup is still really young. Too young to give up I think. I would continue to try and make it a nice safe place for the pup so that she will associate with it with positive things, trying feeding in it, etc. (you will find these suggestions if you do the search that E&A already mentioned) I don't know if anyone else would agree with this or not but when Coco was that small and we were crate training, I'd wait until she'd crash on the couch or wherever, once she was sleeping, I'd pick her up and put her in the crate to finish out her nap. We also crated all night during that time for two reasons. 1) Getting use to being in the crate, 2) house training. The reason for placing her in there was to encourage her to sleep in it and realize it was a nice comfy place to be. Now, she is crated during the day for about 5 hours and willingly goes in there for a nap when she wants to get away from everyone. Just giving a little input. It will all work out, check out the other suggestions listed in the forums.

 

[DeucesMomma]

Don't give up hope

Deuce detested the kennel for a long time -- I had to drag him out from under the bed every morning to get him to go in there. One day he just decided to quit fighting me and now he kennels himself without any problem. Just hang in there and Martha will get the hang of it. Make sure to give her lots of toys and treats in there to make it more fun. I know some people will put a t-shirt or some article of clothing of theirs in the kennel to comfort the puppy when they're first adjusting to the kennel -- that might help.

 

[Roxymyboxy]

I am a CRATE BELIEVER....and have been for many years now!
Not only does it become their 'safe place' when you travel, but also a place for them to really get the rest they need to drive you crazy during the day!
At 9wks, you have a baby yet, so give the crate more time.....Don't make a big deal about putting her in, just make it a "matter of fact" thing and I am sure she will get used to it, and learn to love having "her own place".
Trooper is 5yrs and if it wasn't for his crate he wouldn't have been able to travel with us so easily......During bad weather it gives me a "safe" place for them to snuggle down if I have to 'run some errands' or something....
Wouldn't be without em'....

 

[SBilz]

Thanks....One more Prob.

I'm still using the crate but with another problem. She pees in it every time and comes out soaking wet from laying in it. We have shorted the space with a divider so she just has enough room to lay and turn around. Even tried a towel so she had something soft to lay on. Could it be because of nerves? She goes out just before I put her in there and she was only there for 1.5 hours. Any idea on how to stop this? Just give it time?
I was reading about the bell on here today and like that idea but won't help much for the crate.

 

[Roxymyboxy]

Well, she is still only a baby.....so that is pretty normal. Roxy would have accidents in her crate pretty regularly until she was a bit older. I always just made sure that she had plenty of old towels and sheets in there to soak it up.
And the extra laundry was just part of the FUN....:rolleyes:
Also, it helps to limit water intake for a few hours before crating for the night.
Rox is 10 mos old now and we are way past the "potty training" days and she no longer 'wets her bed'....Give it time, be patient and as her body grows so will her bladder....

 

[Gruntsmom]

Hang in there, and don't give up. It will take time, but with patience, persistence and lots of love, little Martha will adjust and accept her crate. Our baby wasn't too thrilled with the crate either, at 9 weeks, and it did take effort and time working with him. He's now 19 mos., visits his crate often during the day, and will stay in without fussing when we are out. You will find lots of information when you do some searches, like Evie&Adam suggests. Good luck, and let us know how things are going!

 

[jgrant0173]

Rocky and his crate

I started the crate the day I brought Rocky home at 8 weeks. We bought the large wire crate (up to 100 lbs) and it came with a section piece so we can move it as he grows. He wimpered and cried for the first two days but now he likes it.

On the first night, I slept on the floor next to him and that seemed to help. Also, my kids would climb partially in and play with and pet him. Once they know its not a bad thing, they will learn to like it.

Just think of a child that cries in the crib. If you run to them everytime they wimper, they will never learn to sleep in the crib.

Good luck.