Crate Training

[Ashley & Penny]

Penny is 11 weeks old now & HATES her crate.

At first we were only putting her in the crate at nighttime and she was fine, went right to sleep. We were putting her in the guest bathroom while we were at work. However, she hurt her paws digging underneath the bathroom door & it was adviced we crate her during the day as well to avoid her further hurting herself or tearing up the bathroom.

Now, she is let out around 5am and fed/played with & then put back in her crate when I leave for work at 6:30. She is then let out of the crate around 3pm and goes in again around 10:30-11pm for bedtime. She CRIES/BARKS/WHINES for anywhere from 10 minutes to sometimes hours.

I've tried giving her treats when she goes in the crate, but she just ignores them because she wants out. I have left her kongs in the crate, those too go un-eaten.

Any ideas? Is this normal puppy behavior? I just feel so bad for her.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

7.5 hours at a stretch in a crate is a lot for a young puppy during the day. Is it possible for you to get someone to come in at lunchtime to walk her and play with her for half an hour?

The crate is preferable to being closed up in the bathroom, though. It's never a good idea to close a dog up behind solid barriers, as in a closed bathroom. It's preferable to use baby gates if possible so they can see the surrounding areas. Is the crate in an open area? 

[Ashley & Penny]

Right now it is in the corner of the livingroom. I am only teaching for 2 more weeks & then I will be home full-time for the summer.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A good long walk prior to being crated might help. Something to wear her out. 

[Robin and Libby Louise]

I think it's a long time for her to be in the crate, too.  But good that you will be done teaching for the summer.  I'm sure that will help.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Make the crate a fun, safe place for her.  A lunch time break would be helpful, when I was training my doodles I would come home for lunch and let them out and would play with them, it broke up the time they were in the crate.  But some dogs just never adjust to a crate no matter what you do.  I think she is testing you too... be strong.  And always remember a tired dog is a good dog!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Bruin is 14 weeks tomorrow and he is not a fan of his either.  A work in progress.  I bet once you are off for the summer, she will adjust just fine, and she will be a little older too and I think that makes all the difference in the world.  It's a shame you can't take her to work with you and keep her in your classroom..  I bet the kids would love it..