Lilly's first night

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

Lilly did not read the books on crate training.  I thought I was the expert on drate training a dog since I read so many articles/ books/ talked to others and well I crapped out. We put her in her crate in the spare room with me. I put her blanket, the heart beating thing and a toy..just like the book said and put her in and shut the door. Sweet mary, Jesus and Joesph..you would have thoguht she was 13 and I told her she could not go tothe mall with her friends..Such carrying on! There was no way that I could talk to her since she was so vocal. I lasted 3 minutes of her howling and crying and then pulled the mattress off the bed and dragged it into the kitchen and put it on the floor. I put her blanket on the floor and put the puppy gate up so so wouldn't go exploring inthe middle of the night. No need to worry about that one since she slept with me all night and was just fine. How could I let that baby cry all night. We took her away from her home and family and then put her in a cage..I flunked. She woke at 3, whimpered, I took her outside and she peed. This morning she went pee and poop, ate a little bit, drank water and then ran around and played with her toys. We don't watch TV anymore..we watch Lilly. She is now sleeping on a towel (she perfers that over the two blankets that I bought) at my feet. I love her...

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions.. I love my Doodle friends for taking time out of their life to help this old new doodle mom along. Last night was a dream compared to the first two nights!! Lilly went to sleep in her crate in our room with only a bit of crying. I got up twice wiht her to go potty and put her in the bed once because i wanted to snuggle her,then back in the crate..we may be on our way!

[Susan and Sasha]

Don't worry...all will be well soon...

I agree with the others...it's normal to cry for the first few nights...

A light sheet to cover the crate at night or when she is sleeping will help with distractions...but..be sure to leave it uncovered where it would be facing the wall so she will have ventilation.

Treats in crate during the day and only a "safe" toy is fine...nothing that she can rip apart ...just like the others said.

The video will be quite helpful...

Befoe long...she will be enjoying her "safe place'...and All Will Be Well...

Sasha is two and loves her crate and happily prances into it each night at bedtime.

When we travel long distances she travels in her crate...and we bring her travel crate into hotels for her...and she is happy and quiet. (smile)

I say this to let you know...There is hope...and it just takes time.

Those early puppy weeks are the hardest as far as getting used to the crate...but "just hang in there" she and you will be fine! 

Lily is a beautiful Doodle...and she will give you many years of fun and love...and yes...some difficult time too!  Lol...

Wishing you the Very Best...

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

I will watch the video today and use his suggestions. 

[Camilla and Darwin]

Hang in there! I agree with the suggestions to give her treats and toys in her crate. Darwin whimpered and cried for the first night or two, but we ignored him and he stopped quickly. Now he loves his crate and naps in there all of the time.

[Adina P]

Sorry here is the video:

 

[Adina P]

I found this video helpful.  Just keep at it and she'll get used to the crate.  I remember one morning when Rosco was still young and new to my house I decided I had to clean the floors...it was before 8am on a Sunday morning and my roommate was still asleep.  Totally obliviously to the whole 'early on a sunday, roommate sleeping' details I put his crate near where I was cleaning and proceeded to ignore his crying.  I was doing the 'right' thing but then my poor roommate walked out and asked, sleepily "Can you make him be quiet?"  I answered totally nonchalantly "No."  Later I realized how awful I am SURE that sounded.  To me the 'no' was based in ... "no I can't make him be quiet without teaching him to be loud in the future to get what he wants.  I need to let him cry a bit to teach him to settle in his crate."  But yeah...if I had been my roommate i would have thought I was terribly rude and stupid!

 

In any case, try what others have said to let her sleep close to you but in her crate.  Hope the next few nights get better!

[shelly]

How did she do today?  Try this.... put the crate IN your bedroom...don't move out of your room to her.  Put it where she can see you.  take the shirt you wore during the day and lay it on the floor next to her crate so she can smell you during the night.  Try covering the back and top half of the crate with a towel so she feels secure. but face the front of the crate toward you so she can still see you.  Is the crate small enough? (I just tried to find the pictures of Lilly's Baby Doodle Shower again to look at the crate. But can't find them).  Sometimes it's just too big for them to feel secure.  I too would feed her in her crate and give her some toys to play with during the day - Good luck!  Hope tonight goes better!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

awe, I'm so glad you are enjoying your sweet puppy. I can't wait to watch her grow up. good luck with the crate, you'll get there eventually. I takes a lot of patience.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

thank you everyone for you comments.. i will try and tire her out tonight.. she is at least going in there today when yesterday she thoguht it was the devil's domain...

[Christine & Shelby]

Try a good long play session before putting her in the crate.... wait until she is drifting off to sleep and then gently put her in the crate and stay in sight until she falls asleep.  That was my strategy and seemed to work with my Shelby!