Yet Another Crate Training Question

[cocoboxers]

Hi Guys,

It looks like I need your help, yet again :(... We've had our puppy for just about a week now and are doing fairly well with housebreaking (taking him out in the AM, after meals, playtime, naptime, and before bed). However, he is just having the hardest time getting used to the crate. I tried all of the techniques with him -- gradually introducing him to it, giving him treats in the crate, and praising him for his compliance. However, he continues to whine and cry for long periods of time once he's there. I've tried ignoring him and quietly tapping on the crate, but the crying just intensifies and eventually leads to barking. If he starts to cry after he's been in the crate for awhile, I assume that it's because he has to go potty. So, I quietly open his door, take him outside, and quickly put him back in. However, I'm starting to feel that my doing so is teaching him that I will eventually come and "rescue" him if he cries long enough. There's got to be a way to get him to appreciate his crate without sacrificing our housebreaking routine. Any ideas you could suggest would be greatly appreciated!

Peace~

 

[kmorales]

I dont know if this helps but I put an old dirty pair of pajamas in the crate with him, and yes I mean dirty by I had worn them that day and just took them off and put them in with her. haha.. I just wanted to make sure they smelled like me... :P anyways, this helped a lot and she sleeps on top of them. Or maybe putting in some of her toys, but what I do when she cries sometimes is I just ignore her, and do not pay any attention to her what so ever and she eventually stops. Sorry, this is the only help I can offer cause Ive only had my pup for a week. Goodluck! oh yeah, one more thing, when shes crying and I know she doesnt have to go pee or poo cause I had just taken her out I just say a very loud "No!" and that usually quiets her down. I hope that doesnt make me a bad mother, but it works.

 

[Bridget D]

Bella was seven weeks when we brought her home. I have crate trained all of the dogs I have had since the 80's.

The first night we had her was the most difficult.

We pottied her regularly just as you are, watched for her to start going and caught her and took her outside each time she had the urge as well and then at bedtime (around 11 p.m.) we put her in the crate.

She cried and cried and cried and cried.

Our older dog kept running into the kitchen and back to us trying to tell us to take care of that puppy! But we resisted.

At 20 minutes the older dog calmed down and saw we weren't going to take action.

Twenty minutes longer and guess what?

She fell asleep....

My husband gets up at 4 a.m. for work, he put her out then and right back into the crate until I get up at 8 (I work from home).

No crying at all since that first night with the saddest, most difficult 40 minutes of crying I ever heard. Such drama.

How long do you wait before you take her out? Try timing it. Crying won't hurt the puppy, you're right. You are teaching the pup that you will rescue!

It seems like forever, but they do learn, as long as you are sure that the puppy is safe, try to stick it out.

 

[elindave]

I've never had problems with Nikita going into the crate except for first night she cried for about 10 minutes. I just layed next to the crate. I find she also likes music or the Tv on, seems to soothe her. Also, the crate is in an area where she can easily see us. Good luck!

Eli
Nikita (Aug 28 07) fawn, floppy, docked

 

[Slobberkiss]

I agree with KMorlas, put something like a t-shirt in there that smells like you. that really helps a lot.
Is his crate somewhere where he can be with you? i.e. can you put it in your bedroom at night so he's near you? He may be whining because he is lonely - just a thought.

 

[cocoboxers]

Is his crate somewhere where he can be with you? i.e. can you put it in your bedroom at night so he's near you? He may be whining because he is lonely - just a thought.

We have the crate in the hallway outside of our bedroom, so he can still see us (the crate is too big to fit in our room). Sometimes, I will lay down by the crate until he settles down; but, once I leave, he starts crying again. :(

The vet told us that he should be able to hold his bladder for at least 5 hours at this point, maybe 6. She also told me to limit his water after a certain point. We have been giving him constant access to water, even at night, so that was a mistake on our part. Hopefully with all of the advice that you guys have given me here, we'll have some peaceful nights soon!

 

[cocoboxers]

Update...

Just wanted to let you guys know that I took your advice, placing a worn t-shirt and some classical music near the crate, and I think that we're finally getting somewhere. Last night, Apollo slept in his crate from 11pm until 5am! He cried a little at first, but I think that either the smell of the shirt or the music finally calmed him down. He went in his crate tonight with a little whimpering, but quickly quieted down. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this will continue.

Thanks again for your helpful advice!

 

[kmorales]

great!

Im so glad the t-shirt trick worked for you!!! Glad I could help!