Crate traing

[Mark Hess]

We just adopted a Doodle rescue dog. She is 15 months old we think. She barked / cried a lot last night. We didn't go to her. Was that right thing to do? Any ideas?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I don't get the impression from just what you have said that it is the crate that is the problem as I've had fosters with some serious crate issues.  It wasn't just crying and whining.  It just sounds to me like she is a little scared and moving the crate to the bedroom at night, just for a few nights would reassure her that it is ok.  You can put it in the kitchen during the day as was mentioned.  Using the treats to reassure her when going in the crate is always a great idea though. 

Hope all went better last night ... be sure to update us!

[Mark Hess]

Good Morning,  We went out last night to a school event and put Skylar in the crate with a chew tow stuffed with peanut butter. We came home to find Skylar (Houdini) out of the crate and the chew toy untouched for the most part. She somehow pushed the front of the cage out and squeezed through. Then she pulled the coats and the leach and coats off the coat rack, broke 2 wood blinds in the office and took my wireless computer mouse apart. We let her stay out of the crate last night after that to sleep on the floor in my wife's and my bedroom. That went well except she wanted to play at 3AM but then settled down after a few minutes.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Wow, now that sounds like a crate issue and a little separation anxiety.  From what you say below about her background it doesn't sound like she has ever had any crating experiences.  Hopefully you will be able to get her to like her crate by using some of the treating techniques as well as maybe feeding her in her crate.  It could be potentially harmful to her (and your home) to leave her out when you are not home so hopefully you will be able to work with her.  Again, many thanks to you and your family for giving her a new loving wonderful home.  Hang in there. 

[Mark Hess]

Some back ground on Skylar. This is what I was told by the SPCA representative (great people). She was kept mostly outside for a year with 2 other puppy's. When they were picked up by animal protection she was the smallest and most under fed / under weight of the group. It took 2 months to get her back to a bit under weight. She had no interaction with toys or people. I can't understand why people are so cruel.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Well it seems you may have hit a happy medium with him in your room.

Mark, that is the age old question, WHY? Fortunately there are wonderful people like you willing to have patience, ask the right questions and then "save" them. Sounds like Skylar hit the jackpot.

As far as the middle of the night "time to play" use the "no, it's night night time and stick to your guns. Don't be a Laurie of Laurie Fudge and Vern to get up and get a treat method, ha ha. (stick around and you will get to know and love her well).

God Bless you and your family!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Mark, Don't listen to Lisa :) Thank you for rescuing Skylar. I think some of these problems may right themselves after she feels safe in your household. If not, a good trainer can help with these issues. Right now, I think she needs to be comforted because I am sure she is scared. Also, you may find you don't have to crate her at all at night and just when you go out during the day. I never crated my dogs at night after around 4 months but kept them in the bedroom with us, but we still crated when we left the house. Good luck!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That really helps to paint the picture of why she acted this way.  If she was never crate trained this could be very uncomfortable (and frightening) for her.  I'm really happy that you let her sleep in your room, but I would try to get her comfortable in the crate little by little so that she will be okay there when you have to leave her.  Put her food in there with the door open.  Make a game of throwing treats in the crate and have her go in and fetch them.  She will then realize that the crate is not her "enemy".  She is going to need some leadership and clear boundaries....and training.  Good luck.  Consider joining our Training group.  I applaud you for saving this girl and giving her a new life.  Thank you.

[Mark Hess]

Crate training this morning with treats. going well. using special treat for that. Different from regular command training. We have had the food and water in the crate from the start except we removed them during 1st night after she spilled them. She exhibited a new trait today, wanting to play with little nips. I introduced a stuffed animal and am trying to teach her to nip and pull on that instead of me. She is a work in progress but I am growing to love her. Kids are hooked. Wife is growing more comfortable (she is not a dog person). Thanks for all the suggestions. I have never trained a dog before.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

That's a good idea to use special treats for Skylar's crate; we do that, too, and they seem to be a strong enticement for our puppy to enter her crate.  I read back through the previous comments, and (unless I missed it) I don't think that anyone mentioned covering Skylar's crate so that It feels like a den.  You can use a sheet, towel, blanket or some other large piece of fabric.  We used a large, flat curtain panel.  Also, you can hide treats in there during the day, so that she becomes motivated to go inside to find them.  

Her wanting to play is a GOOD sign.  It sounds as if she never learned to play without nipping -- and to play with people, instead of the other puppies with whom she lived.  She'll get there.  Each day will bring another small success, and before you know it, you'll have a terrific companion :o)

[Ginny Nightingale]

You are doing well!! Can you take her to classes with a trainer!? You will learn lots of good techniques quickly--sounds like she is eager to learn and that she is making incredibly fast progress--considering her background, you have to start from square one as if she was 8 weeks old--they do get it after a while, but the training can never really stop--good luck, she is adorable.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Your efforts are impressive. Wifey will come around, I mean just look at him. :-)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a darling dog!  It sounds like you are starting fresh - as if she were a puppy socializing and training-wise - but because she is older, I think she will pick it up quicker.  Thank you for rescuing and hang in there with your hard work.  It will pay off.  We are all here to lend our support.