Please tell me it's a phase

[meyerclan]

Hey all. So Brewski is 16 weeks now and 25 pounds. Well we are crate training and he was really good with the crate he would sleep in in at put stuff in it but about 10 days ago he started refusing to go to the crate when I told him to. At night he has been waking up 3 times when he was sleeping through or almost through the night. And in the last few days he started escaping the crate during the day. Well today when I got home he escaped again and pooped right in front of the door then was so excited when I got home jump all through it and made a huge mess. And had emptied the bathroom trash all over the house.

And on walks now he is crazier than ever he acts like he has never been out of the house. People ask me all the time if this is his first. He never goes for a ng time but he walks around the neighbor hood atleast twice a day and walks the park a couple times a week.

Sorry this was long but I am really hoping this is a stage cause my nerves are shot and I'm really tired cause he gets up so much at night.

Any suggestions would be so helpful.
Thanks

 

[Crystalstock]

Hey all. So Brewski is 16 weeks now and 25 pounds. Well we are crate training and he was really good with the crate he would sleep in in at put stuff in it but about 10 days ago he started refusing to go to the crate when I told him to. At night he has been waking up 3 times when he was sleeping through or almost through the night. And in the last few days he started escaping the crate during the day. Well today when I got home he escaped again and pooped right in front of the door then was so excited when I got home jump all through it and made a huge mess. And had emptied the bathroom trash all over the house.

And on walks now he is crazier than ever he acts like he has never been out of the house. People ask me all the time if this is his first. He never goes for a ng time but he walks around the neighbor hood atleast twice a day and walks the park a couple times a week.

Sorry this was long but I am really hoping this is a stage cause my nerves are shot and I'm really tired cause he gets up so much at night.

Any suggestions would be so helpful.
Thanks

a 25 lb puppy is escaping from a crate? what type of crate do you have. How long are you leaving him in the cage for? You may need someone to stop by in the middle of the day to let him out. a full work day is too long for that young of a baby.
I would suggest getting a better crate. I use midwest metal crates. Also I would start giving him if you are not already all of his meals and treats in the crate. He should LOVE his crate not hate it.

Also make sure you are feeding him early enough in the evening that he has time to let out all his pottys before bed.

 

[meyerclan]

a 25 lb puppy is escaping from a crate? what type of crate do you have. How long are you leaving him in the cage for? You may need someone to stop by in the middle of the day to let him out. a full work day is too long for that young of a baby.
I would suggest getting a better crate. I use midwest metal crates. Also I would start giving him if you are not already all of his meals and treats in the crate. He should LOVE his crate not hate it.

Also make sure you are feeding him early enough in the evening that he has time to let out all his pottys before bed.

He's in a midwest crate. And I think the most he's ever been in there is 4 hours. He used to love his crate but I don't know what happened.

 

[wonkeytaco]

there are a lot of really good posts on crate training and making sure that they are accustomed to the crate and develop a "den" attachment.
Our boxers love their kennel, take naps in there, or chew on their bones.
As far as escaping...check to make sure it is assembled properly and latched properly and if it is I would make a trip to the store for a new, more secure establishment for his den.

 

[rfdfirewife]

My Addie went thru the same stage for a while. (not the escaping part, but the deciding she didnt like it) She eventually got over it and went back to loving it. All we did was work on getting her to go to her crate on command, and giving her treats and food while she was in there. We made sure we didnt associate her crate with us leaving all of the time. For her she started realizing that when we actually "locked" her in was when we would be leaving. I would make sure you start back at square 1. I would also double check to ensure you have the crate properly set up. There is no reason a pup that small should be escaping.

 

[fryguy]

I'm guessing that is normal, as Charlie being about 20 weeks old has also decided that he doesn't like his crate so much anymore either. He will walk towards it when told, but a the last minute he will take a sharp right and try to stay out. He is also waking up at least once every night. He used to sleep form about 8pm to 7am if we let him.

 

[meyerclan]

Thanks for the replys.
I think he's just trying to be funny now because he started fighting me about going in the car. He used to love it. He would sit still while I put his seat belt on. Now I have to fight him to get him in the car.

The last couple of days I have been waiting him out and making him think it was his choice to get in the crate and car. It takes a while but it's better that fighting with him.

We put some zip ties on the crate and no more escaping. Thanks for the support.

 

[LILYLARUE]

Sounds like he's testing his limits, trying to set boundries and definitely tasting his independance he thinks he has.

I think you are approaching it the right way by making him think it's his idea. Just stand there, and he will go in when he figures it out. That his cute jumping and running around still ends with the same result.

He will settle down again when he sees you don't let him go past the line.