My puppy hates his crate!!

[New puppy owner]

My puppy hates his crate!!  we're ok at night when I sleep with him but he barks incessantly when he's in it during the day.  In fairness to him.  I put it in him when we're in the house (he's on the first floor) and we're on the 2nd floor so he can hear us moving around. he barks the whole time even when i put a sheet over it.  he also baks if we're in the same room.  he's ok at night if I'm sleeping next to him but never during the day.  he's 10 weeks and will have been with us a week this saturday. any suggestions?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

When my dogs were little, we actually had two crates. One in our bedroom and one in our living room, which is the hub in our house. I rarely crated our pups in a room that we were not in. If we crated them in the living room, I just walked around so they could see me, but continued going about my business. Whenever I put them in their crate, I made sure they had something to occupy themselves with....a kong with something good in it, a bully stick, etc. Just keep in mind, though, bully sticks and toys have to be supervised with a young puppy. When we left the house, I always put a kong in their crate, turned the TV on, and a fan to mute noises. It is also a good idea to do something with the puppy that tires him out a little before putting him in the crate and making sure he does not have to go to the bathroom. You could also tether him to you upstairs, so he is with you, but can't wander too far off.

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

What an adorable puppy!   Brady (11 weeks) is having a very  s l o w  introduction to his crate but it seems to be going well.   His crate is located in our front hallway where he can see most of the living area (Kitchen, dining and some of the living room) when he is in it.

First time in it I lured him in with a delicious treat, closed the door,  he whimpered a bit,  I ignored him while moving around the area making 'house sounds' - turning on and off water tap, coughing, humming,  being quiet,  pretending to talk on the phone ~ you get the idea.   When he was  "quiet"  I opened the door, let him out and said nothing.

Second time - ditto - but for a bit longer.   He actually fell asleep this time so I opened the door quietly and he woke up to the open door.

Third time  -  I cooled his peanut butter filled puppy konk in the freezer, placed it in the crate and told him to 'get in the crate' (first time he had been introduced to p. butter)  - he went in started chewing on konk - I closed the door and he stayed in for the duration of our dinner (1 hour) .   I was sooo thrilled not expecting that outcome.

I keep remembering that  "A tired puppy is a happy puppy" - so lots of playing, he is pretty much constantly 'with me', he sleeps (from day 1) in a soft doggy bed on the floor beside my bed.   I speak to him often in a low, soothing but confident voice.   

Could your little guy be suffering separation anxiety?   Could you move the crate to the living area instead of having him down and you guys up?  Could you take a day or two and just be right there with him praticing the 'crate routine' several times a day?   I feel badly for you - I know it's terribly hard having an upset puppy!   I hope he starts settling in really soon - I say just LOVE him to pieces!!   

 

 

 

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Very very nice into to the crate.  Very wise and humane.

[Susie Vetter]

Hi.  I actually had pretty good luck with the crate, but I did get one that I leave open most of the time in the living room next to the couch where I sit most of the time.  She is in it right now actually. The main one for nighttime is next to my bed and she is gratin that until 6 AM . I recommend getting one that she can be in while you are in the room but she has to go in to it on her own.  Give her rewards at first if that works.  When you leave you can crate her. Trust me they only cry for a sort time and then settle in. I timed it on more that one occasion.  Good luck

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Instead of two crates, I got an x pen for the kitchen area, then put the crate in the x pen when I would leave for short periods.  Then I graduated to leaving crate open and letting her roam x pen, but this was alot later when I KNEW she would not challenge the x pen and try to jump on it.  Their feet can get caught in these devised so I used it mostly when I was home and in kitchen w/ her. I used the tether constantly so I could catch accidents, train naturally (put pouch with treats on waist).  Seems like alot of trouble at first, but cuts down on amount of training in long run.  Sheila now just naturally follows me from room to room.  But I REMEMBER those first months were very trying at times.  Good luck.