Crate Problem

[Alissa Edwards]

My puppy is 7.5 weeks old. At first we could lure him into the crate with liver sausage and close the door behind him (he'd run right out if we didn't). Now, nothing will get him in there "on his own" so we have to physically put him in there. I always give him a treat and say "house, good house."

He barks for a minute to three minutes, but then quiets down until I let him out. I don't want to create a bad experience but I need to put him in there sometimes when I go out or put baby down or need to get things done (he's only going in twice a day right now for about 30 minutes each time.)

Tips on getting him to go in on his own (more crate time? Less? are appreciated.

Maybe feed his meals in there (but don't close door?) He has his snuggle puppy in there too.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Hi Alissa, It might be a long time before your pup goes into his crate on his own. He is just a baby and wants to be with you all of the time. As he gets older he might find that he wants to get into his crate for some quiet time on his own, but he might not. You are very wise to put him in a few times a day for short periods to reassure him that he is fine on his own in a safe environment. Keep your positive tone of voice as you put him in with a treat. I do know some people feed their pups in the carte. I always thought that sounded like a good idea. You can close the door if you do that. I really wouldn't worry about it one bit if he walks in on his own or if he is put into the crate. If he is settling down, he's doing great. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Ditto on all that Bonnie said. He sounds 100% normal. It is great that he settles down within a few minutes.

[Emily, Jace, & Maggie Devers]

7.5 weeks old is super young!! While I understand there will be times he has to go in there you'll just have to kind of force him, Maggie used to take 30 min. To settle down. She despised her crate, now she goes in there on her own whenever she wants!. Jace didn't start liking his crate until about 4 mos old and Maggie just started liking hers. She's almost 6 mos old now. Like Bonnie said he's just a baby!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I think it is super that he settles in!  As Bonnie, Ro and Em have reassured, it takes time for them to "get the idea" and not hate being separated. 

[Missy]

i always made sure puppy was played with before crate time.  if they are tired, they are more apt to settle down and take a nap.  and I always put a treat in there (high reward treat)   tired and treat and soon he will go in on his own!

[Shanen Sadowski]

If your pup doesn't have issues with chewing/scratching/general mayhem & foolishness, you could try putting him in the laundry room or bathroom with the crate in it but the door open.  Especially if it has a blanket or comfort item that he likes. This is what we did with Maslow and that's all it took.  (We put her there when we were running a quick errand.)  Now she often times goes off to lay in her kennel with the door open when she needs a break. :)  Sounds like you're already doing this, but when you're luring him in , you always let him come right back out, right? I sound like a broken record here, but there are lots of good videos on youtube about crate training so your pup will like being there. 

[Debbie Daniels]

I have a blog on my page about crate training , it worked great for me ... I think the key is no talking to them when they are going in or out !! Good Luck , now I'm going to go see how cute your doodle is :)