Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Crate training failure
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sally on
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My doodle does not mind the crate. However I had a lab who never liked the crate. No matter what we did he hated the crate. It was such a relief when we no longer had to put him in the crate......which took a long time until we could trust him in the house.
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Permalink Reply by Laura and Angus on
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How did you all introduce Oliver to the crate?
It took our puppy probably a month to stop crying in the crate (though he stopped doing it at night in the first week), but we would leave the house in the morning and then when crated he would cry for less and less time until finally he'd go in there when we say "crate." That took a long time. But I'll tell you, he doesn't love it and he never uses it unless we leave the house. Even though he's 2, we still can't trust him to be home alone without it...he's kind of a butt when he gets bored and frankly we can't trust him to not eat something that will make him seriously sick.
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Permalink Reply by Doodle & Hound on
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I understand completely. Oliver must be part of a "search and destroy " secret mission.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Jacques on
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Oh Oliver you are giving your mama trouble!!
Hi Olivers mom. We have two doodles. Yankee did not do well in the crate and now with 5 mos old Betsey I am astounded by the difference!! Please don't think me harsh, but I really was determined to make it work the second time around. This idea is not my own but came from our breeder. First night home, she said. Put the puppy in the crate with the word you use. Have stock pile of "shoes" on your bed. EVERYTIME THE PUPPY MAKES A SOUND, throw a shoe at the crate. The puppy associates the crate as the bad guy making bad sounds when he complains. MAKE SURE, the crate is out of sight of flying shoes. And make sure the sound is a bang. You should not speak or interact with the puppy. We put our crate next to our bed but out of her view of an incoming shoe. It worked, but we did need to follow up a few times the first week. If you don't have a metal crate that makes a bang when hit, get one!! Or, borrow one!!
Fast forward to now. I tell Betsey, "Kennel" and she complies by going in, everytime . I do give her a reward of a toy or cookie when she goes in. I hope this helps you!! These trying days of puppy hood pass so quickly, try to enjoy every moment. I can't believe how fast ours has grown up!! Cindy
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Thank you for sharing your story. It's very helpful and also made me laugh. I actually have to hide all our shoes or I wouldn't have many to throw at the kennel. Today was better! I am truly enjoying having some noise and life in the house again.
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Permalink Reply by S & Charlie on
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Charlie is only 5 months old, but he is 100% not a crate dog. Some just aren't. I tried EVERYTHING, including feeding him in there, leaving treats in there, so many different things. After 2 days and realizing he was very good at sleeping through the night and holding it, he slept in my bed with me. I didn't want him to have to be in the crate at night AND in the crate while I was at work (he was only in the crate for two 3 1/2 hour period in a day, and only 4 days a week). I had a camera on him while he was in the crate and I was at work, and he stopped crying shortly after I would leave but he still never enjoyed the crate. Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago, he outgrew his crate and I have left him out to roam the downstairs ever since! as long as the bathroom doors are shut, he is 100% fine and doesn't get into anything, doesn't chew, isn't destructive and doesn't use the bathroom. I know it's early to let a dog roam at 4 ish months, but it seriously works for us. Good luck!!!
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Yay, there is hope. Oliver tends to get into everything and turns into a whirling dervish when I try to capture him. Will be starting training in a week. I love this forum it's so helpful.
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Permalink Reply by Anita Lee on
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What do you do when he whines? If you take him out to stop the whining, he's going to keep that up because he's learned crying gets mom running to let him out.
If you haven't already, try exercising him vigorously or taking him to a puppy social before crating him. Once he's exhausted he'll accept the crate more willingly. Use special treats that he never gets. For us, that was peanut butter stuffed in a kong in the back of the crate. We'd put it all the way in the back so she'd have to go in there herself. We did this a couple times for 3 days without closing the crate, so she could make the association between going into the crate and a tasty reward. When she was ready, we closed the crate while she was still eating the peanut butter and left her in there initially for a couple minutes, then longer and longer stretches of time.
Crate training is really worth it. Just be consistent. Eventually you'll be able to leave him in there and know that he (and your house) are safe. It can also prevent nuisance behaviors in the future, such as barking when you're out of the house. When your dog is properly crate trained, the crate is calming and cozy.
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Awesome advice. I want Oliver to be safe and happy. I guess it's like letting baby cry for a bit to self soothe?
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Permalink Reply by Kristin on
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We have a 12 week old mini (Maisy) who has been with us for five weeks. She also did not initially love the crate, despite our best efforts to introduce it gradually and make it more appealing with treats and a comfy mat. We resorted to simply placing her in the crate when she needed sleep and ignoring the initial whining/barking. It took time, but now she doesn't complain at all in the crate, and while she doesn't seem to always love it, she does sometimes go into it spontaneously for a rest. I still give her a treat whenever she goes into it, or a stuffed Kong when I go out for an errand. The crate has been a sanity saver over the last 5 weeks. Without it, I would not be able to keep up with all my other responsibilities, and it has definitely made housebreaking easier. Hang in there and Oliver will adjust to the crate in time!
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Thanks Kristin and Maisy! Oliver was a wee bit happier in the crate today. I made sure he was tired out first. Still need to buy a King tomorrow!!
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You've given me hope for that light at the end of the tunnel.
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