Bark collar to stop barking in the crate

[Jess & Stewart]

Would a bark collar work to stop barking in the crate? As in, once Stew got a correction a few times, he'd cease to bark in the crate? Or does it only work when they have it on??

Last night was more of the same, put him in the crate at 11:15, he was fine settled right down, I set my alarm for a random time of night (2:15). I was going to just take him out, so he'd know that he gets out when he's quiet. Then gradually increase the time until he went all night (11ish to 5:45 am). He beat me to the punch and started whimpering/barking at 1:45. I took him out and he peed. Brought him back in and he settled right down and was fine until 4:50, started barking again. I didn't want to let him cry it out as the early morning barking has started to disturb the neighbor below me. I get nervous that he won't stay as forgiving and he'll say something to our landlord. I live in a converted row home, the walls are very thin. So, I take him out and he pooped, then we transferred to the couch and we both slept until 6 am.

I really do try to wait until he's quiet. He's typically only quiet after I've been standing/sitting by the crate, giving the quiet command, he'll sit down, stare at me and whimper. I say "quiet" and if he doesn't make any noise for a few seconds, take him out.

I'm sick, I have a bad case of the flu, so I'm tired and getting crabby! I figured I'd get myself and him REALLY tired, then I'd take Nyquil and be dead to the world during the night, so even if he barked, I would be asleep, then in the morning, he'd have made it through the night. Nyquil didn't work and I'm typically a light sleeper anyway. Anything you can think of that could zonk me out for tonight? I really think he just needs to cry it out a few more times until he gets it, since he settles right down at night and after potty breaks, OR will he grow out of needing night time potty runs?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jess, I stopped crating my dogs pretty early on at night. I closed my bedroom door and they seemed to prefer the cold floor to their crate. I always thought they got too hot in their crate. We all slept better. Again, you have to find what works for you. I never had any problem crating them then during the day.

[Jess & Stewart]

I actually have a blanket folded up, only covering part of the crate bottom, as I've noticed he'll snuggle with me on the couch for awhile, then go onto my hardwoods. He does the same with his snuggle puppy in the crate, starts out on the blanket and puppy, ends up on the hard plastic. He's never had an accident, so he has most of the crate with only a small section divided. I'll probably give him the entire crate, once he gets a little larger.

Last night was wonderful actually! He went into his crate on his own and went to sleep around 11:30, last potty break was 11:15ish. Then my alarm went off at 2:45 and he was lying awake quiet, so I took him out, saying nothing, he only peed. Settled right back down and fell asleep until 4:50 when he whimpered a little. I actually had gotten up to get a drink, so he probably heard me. Shushed him when I came back into the room and sat down on the floor by the crate saying nothing. He fell back asleep, while I did some reading (couldn't fall back asleep) until my alarm went off at 5:45.

There is a parking lot next to my apt with a grassy area, large enough to let him run around on a long line. I've recently noticed its not connected to the stores next door and the gates are open, I've been going in there after our morning and evening walks and letting him run, grab sticks, fetch etc. It seems to be really helping him burn off excess energy, which hopefully will translate to a tired puppy in his crate during the day and at night!

[Robin and Libby Louise]

I'm getting tired just reading about your non-sleeping!  LOL!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Sounds like you are doing great. It's all a bit of trial and error when you have a puppy and get to know what works and what doesn't.   In a few weeks hopefully this stage will be over and you'll be onto the next one!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Spud slept out to the crate at 5 months also. He was only crated when I was not home

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

This is what we did with Enzo as well.at about 41/2 months, we just decided to leave her crate open. Now she has her crate , her dog bed or the floor to choose from. Most times she on the cool marble floor stretched out to get the most out of the coolness. I notice when she does go into her crate, she pushes aside the crate mat...again she prefers the coolness.