Operation "Cratequake" was a incredible success!!

[Jess & Stewart]

I read up on discussions about barking in the crate, came across a bunch talking about making an "earthquake" in the crate along with a loud "quiet" or "no", then praise and treat with something high value when they're quiet.

SO, I came home, ignored him for a few minutes, then started on Operation Cratequake. Within 5 minutes he was COMPLETELY silent. He whimpered a bit when I was testing to see how long he could be quiet, but another 3 gentle shakes of the crate stopped that. I treated with very high value treats, tiny pieces of hot dogs. I got 3 minutes of silence (ASPCA guidelines), then let him out. I had him go in with the lure of the hot dogs, then go in without, he RAN in he crate. Then kept door open, walked around, kept door closed walked around, no noise whatsoever. The icing on the crate is that I walked out of my apt, counted to 30, walked back in and he was silent!

Since that training at 5 pm today, Stew had been walking in & out of the crate throughout the evening, I praised and treated each time I caught him in there sniffing around. As of 11:30, after last potty break & a game of fetch, Stew walked into his crate and put himself to bed!

Who knew all I was missing for 6 weeks was tiny bits of hot dogs! I can't believe I hadn't tried the quake method before! Attached is a picture of him sleeping soundly!

[Barb & Aria]

God job Jess & Stew. Keep it up Stew

[Julie and Max]

That's awesome! Look at him so cute and sleeping so soundly!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

YAY for sleeping Doodles :)

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Good for you and Stew!  Keep up the good work cute little dood! 

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Excellent!  Congrats!  He is so cute.....

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

I wonder if that's the discussion that I was in and used for Bailey.  It worked like a charm for her and when the new baby doodle arrives in April, I will be doing the same thing if necessary!! 

Congrats to you and Stew!!!!!

[Jess & Stewart]

I think it was. He still barked when I came home for lunch, but it was a lot more whimpering & he eventually settled down. I was standing in my bedroom ignoring him waiting for him to settle. I think I'll still need to reinforce the gentle shake or banging on the crate until he's really good at being quiet for longer than 5 minutes, but it's a good start!

[Adina P]

Yup.  That's what my trainer recommends--actually interrupting the crying/whining with a correction.  Either that or banging on the crate loudly.  Something to make them STOP and let them know you heard them and it's not acceptable. 

[Miss Ellie]

Stew you are adorable...yah for your success!

[Kyoko]

Wow! Congrats!! Good job!!! I am sooo impressed!!!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Yay! Glad you found a solution. You just don't want any of the " real " quakes we have her in Ca! ;)

[Jess & Stewart]

He still barks when I come home for lunch & after work, but I'll just keep reinforcing it! I also treat for passive quiets too with the same bits of hot dogs, so hopefully he'll learn quickly!