Bedtime Crate Problems?

[diane silver]

Emma has been sleeping in her crate since day one (she's now five months old), and though she never voluntarily went in at night, once I put her in, she would lie down and settle until we opened the door in the morning. However, since Friday night, she's been very(!) resistant to go in the crate at night (we do crate her in our family room if we go out for dinner, etc.) and has cried and carried on. We've been ignoring it and it usually last about five minutes (though it seems much, much longer!!), but I'm wondering if anyone has had this issue and if she's ready to give up her crate at night? It seems really early for her to give it up (our last dog was about 9 months old), but now I'm really concerned. We did go out for about three hours each evening for the past couple of nights (and are going to be out again tonight), so I'm feeling guilty about leaving her in her crate and then coming home and putting her to bed in the crate a couple of hours later . . . . any suggestions or thoughts would be very much appreciated!

[5a54ofb5qk1d]

Hi Diane. Do you an area where you can confine Emma without putting her in the crate while you're gone in the evening or during the day? We often will just leave Wrigley in the kitchen if we're going to be gone for a short while. She's always done fine, and she's not spending as much time in her crate that way.

[Margo]

Hi Diane, I don't have any suggestions, but I do have some thoughts... I don't think five minutes is very long (even though it seems long when you're the one listening).My guess is that Emma is just sociable and wants to voice her objection. Also, I think as long as Emma in general gets plenty of playtime, new experiences, attention and exercise, the time in the crate is fine. It's weird though. I have an easier time telling others how to do things than following my own advice. I've had to deal with a guilt feeling or two myself when our family's busy days don't TOTALLY revolve around Lily.