No longer likes her Crate..WHY?

[jjmcintosh]

I am hoping that someone can offer some insight to my issue. I have a 4 1/2 month old, Chloe. She is great!!!! And used to go right in her crate for me, no questions asked. When we would get ready to come inside, from doing her business, I would set the stage by saying, "Chloe, Do you want a cookie for your crate..." I would repeat that a couple times. She would go into the house, turn, sit and let me take her lead off. From there she would walk right down the hall (sometimes even run) jump in her crate, turn and sit, all before I was even there. THEN all of the sudden over the last week, she just won't do it. She won't go down the hall first. She will sit in the doorway and just look at me. I try to bait the crate by placing the cooking to the rear.. she streches with all her might, which is actually pretty funny, but will not take the step in. This morning it took me 20 minutes to accomplish this. I don't know why all the sudden the change??? Any ideas would be great, I am getting very frustrated, but more so concerned.

Chloe's Dad

 

[lafsalot]

Sounds like Cloe is going through her adolescent phase. If you use the search, you should find lots of threads that address this issue. Good luck - Cathy

 

[Jan]

It does sound like she is rebeling a bit. You need to try a get the crate a more exciting place for her. How long does she spend in her crate. What does she have in way of toys in the crate. Do you give her a stuffed Kong. She may getting a little bored in her crate and you need to make it a little more interesting.

 

[jjmcintosh]

This is the crate routine. First of all we moved the crate about a month ago to a bedroom next to ours. There's less people traffic, noise and light at night when its bedtime. She adjusted wonderfully to this change, I mean it was immediate. Anyway, she is in her crate from 7:30 til 12:30, I go home on lunch to let her out and play for about 15-20 minutes. Then back in from 1 til around 5pm. In her crate she has sqweaky toys, chew toys, a tennis ball and the all so famous stuffed kong. She has a radio to keep some noise and a night light when its not so bright outside. I have tried to follow all the rules of thumb in crate training her... she is just hitting this phase. I don't know if I should change the style of crate I am using so she can see more of whats going on, or if its just a phase.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Maybe she's bored with the cookie you give her. Try something else, cheese cubes, p-nut butter, whatever, and lure her into the crate. Start again from square one on crate training as well. She's being rebellious and needs to understand that rebellion won't cut it, she still has to go into her crate.

Also she may need more than 15 minutes of exercise before being crated again for the afternoon. Try more vigorous exercise and a bit longer if possible so she doesn't "feel" like she's in the crate more than she's out.

Good luck.

 

[jjmcintosh]

Thanks for the input Tulsa-Dan. I have tried carrots, maybe I need something a little more tasty. I am also concerned that maybe the crate is getting to small for her and its becoming uncomfortable. She does, by rule of thumb, have room to stand, sit and turn around. I guess your right though, its back to square one, reinforce that she must go into her crate. Thanks

 

[lost1700]

If she's potty trained there should be no reason not to make the crate bigger and more comfortable. My boy is almost 6 months old and as soon as he was potty trained COMPLETELY I got him a huge crate. Plentry of room to move around and stretch out, put all his favorite toys in there, pillows blankets and his doggie pad. Always leave the door open. If she's potty trained I would think about giving her a little more room and comfort. Good Luck.

 

[Jan]

If she is potty trained, get her a bigger crate. Maybe she will be happier with more space.

 

[Letty]

Wetting the bed

OK I know this is a little different but I just got my boxer puppy and we are trying to crate train her and seem to be having a little difficulty. She keeps peeing in her crate. I have sectioned it off so she has just enough room to stand/turn and lay down. We have toys, ticking alarm clock and mini hot water bottle in there for her and she still seems to mess it. I put her in at 10:00pm get her up at 12:00 to pee then get her out again at 2:00am and then up for the day at 5:30am. So she is being taken out every two hours but still can't seem to keep a dry bed.
Please please give me any advice if you have any.

 

[jjmcintosh]

I guess my first question would be how old is the puppy? Does she drink before bed? Is the night time the only time she has an issue? I have heard people recommend taking up the water an hour or so before bed. Not sure what your schedule is in that regard. I can sympathize with the frustration, just when you think your doing everything right, and it sounds like you have a good schedule for taking her out... I might just watch the water consumption, obviously making sure she is getting enough, but just the timing of it. Good Luck have patience.. its one of many stages that will just bring you and her closer. Hope this opinion helps.