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]

Congrats on your new addition to your family.  She certainly is adorable.  It sounds like you are headed in the right direction.   I'm going to assume all the basics were taken care of like food, water, potty break before crate time, etc.   The one question I would ask is where was her crate with regard to the rest of the family?   Obviously it was a big day for her and she was really scared and nervous.  Crating her was the right thing to do for sure, but if you didn't have it there, possibly have it beside your bed so that if she whines or cries you are able to just put your hand down and comfort her.  A lot of people find that really helps.  Also, make sure you don't have too many blankets or covers with them in the crate.  Sometimes they get too hot.  Many doodles just prefer the plastic try as it is nice and cool.  I'm sure you will get lots of other good suggestions as well. 

[Mark Hess]

Thanks for writing back. We had 1 towel in with her and the crate was in the kitchen. We have a ranch home and that is close to the kids and our bedroom. Maybe we will try that but I would rather she be in the kitchen.

[Adina P]

You can always transition her to the kitchen once she's used to the crate.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Congratulations on your new addition. Do you know anything about her background, or if she was ever crated in her previous home or foster home?

I agree that having the crate in your room might help her feel more comfortable and less lonely.

[Willow and J]

We had our dog's crate in the kitchen/dining area because that's where we wanted her to sleep. But for first 3 weeks or so, I slept beside the crate (our bedroom is upstairs) so that I could comfort her during the night. It did work and every time I extended my hand and pet her, she calmed down. I don't think it's for everyone, but I didn't want to disturb anyone else's sleep in the house, and being on the first floor meant that I could take her out if she really had to go. Your dog is big enough to hold throughout the night, but ours came home at 10 weeks and she could barely hold from 11 to 5 am. Our dog was also always hot, and she fidgeted the whole night in her crate, pushing away her dog bed, and making rattling sounds throughout the night. I lost a lot of sleep then, but it was needed for her to adjust.

[Leslie J]

I did what Willow and J did until Cocoa settled down- I slept in the room with her crate because we wanted her crate in our family room.  Cocoa cried a bit the first 3 or 4 nights, but by the end of the first week she was settled in and slept through the night.  Maybe your kids would sleep in there on the floor in their sleeping bags over the weekend- they'd probably enjoy it and she'd feel more secure.

Enjoy your new companion!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If she has never been crated, crating her now will be something you need to teach. Leave the crate door open during the day so that she can use it  and find it a 'safe' and comforting place to be.

Some people feed their dogs in the crate and I know that there is a book out there with suggestions on getting your dog to like the crate - I can't remember much about it other than to make it a game to go in and out - throwing a small treat or toy in the crate for the dog to get.  I also remember some people having a special chew or treat that they only get when crated - like a filled bone or filled kong, or an antler.  Some people put the crate - door open within an ex-pen so that the dog can go in and out of the crate but still be confined. Hopefully others will post with more organized thoughts and suggestions.

Our labradoodle was crate trained when we got him as a puppy.  Our rescue doodle was about 2 when we got him and was house trained so we just shut him in with us in our bedroom at night. We had a foster that we crated when we left home and also at night. He was about 18 months old, but had not been housebroken.  I like the use of crates when the dogs aren't housebroken or still in the chewing the wrong things stage, but once that has been achieved, we quit using them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack has never been crated, either. He was 14 months old and fully housebroken when I adopted him. I also just kept him in my bedroom at night. I have only ever crated at night with puppies who were not housebroken.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Feeding her in an open crate in the day is perfect, also toss a toy or two in there, never close the door unless you are crating her while you are gone.

At night I really feel it's important to have the crate next to you, wherever you are. If you don't want her in your room then you should camp out next to her. You don't have to touch her necessarily but saying "it's okay, night night time" real reassure her that she is not alone.

Congratulations on making the decision to rescue a dood...that is so wonderful of you.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Good ideas from all--and you don't need to keep her in your room forever--a few days should do it so that everything and everyone have become more familiar to her. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Congratulations! Skylar is beautiful, and she's a lucky girl to now be part of your family.  I'm wondering if it's possible to keep her crate in your bedroom during the night and then move it to the kitchen during the day.  Or, could you have two crates?  She'd probably be more comfortable near you during the night.  That way, you could reassure her if she seems unable to settle down and sleep.  I'd imagine that it'd be scary to be separated from the all of the members of your family at night.  I hope that tonight is easier for everyone.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I am not an expert with Rescue dogs and it's wonderful to read that you have taken this Doodle into your home and given her what I dearly hope will be her forever home.  Did the rescue organization give you any information about her history, where she came from? why she was surrendered?  It can only be a very frightening experience for her and if it was me I would be very careful to make her feel safe yet uncrowded.  I would have her close by but wait for her to come and make the first moves.  I would definitely not put her in a position where she was in any way distressed.  If she does not have a history of being in a crate then it has to be done slowly (there are already good suggestions here).  If she is used to a crate then she is best in a room near people (for the first while anyway).  I think there is a group here of Rescuers and if you join them you will be able to get more specific help. Also post in the training group.  There is a wealth of information here and lots of help, just ask!  Good luck with your new Doodle, she looks really lovely.