Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Crate Training
- Just brought our 8 week old "Sunny" home on Wednesday.
- Everything is great! She's learning that the grass is for peeing and pooping, not the carpet, but we're having a hard time getting her to adjust to her cage.
- She didn't want to go in at first, and when the door is shut, she whines and yelps like crazy.
- Any tips on how we can get her to lover her crate?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver on -
Make her crate a happy place for her to be.... some suggest feeding in the crate and associate all "good" thing with the crate, like the feeding, toys, sleep etc. etc. Maybe try exercising her before putting her into the crate. I never had a problem with either of my doodles, they both loved their crates. Be persistant and ignore the whines and yelps or when she starts with the whining and yelping I would correct her with a stern "NO".
-
Permalink Reply by Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom on -
You could also get her a snuggle puppy (http://www.snugglepetproducts.com/). If it is at night, you can put the crate beside your bed so you can just reach down and reassure her. Don't put too much stuff like blankets or beds because some of them get too hot. Just don't give in. It might take a night or two, but she will learn to love it. BTW, she is adorable. Don't see many chocolate GD's.
-
Permalink Reply by Laurie, Wally & Charlotte on -
Congratulations, John. Sunny's a beauty! My Charlotte is almost five-months old, and while she is now totally quiet while in her crate, she never voluntarily chooses to go into it. When we need her to be in the crate (when we're leaving home or overnight) we say, "Crate time!" and she runs in and stays there without complaining. This behavior took a while to develop. We always give her special, high-value treats when she goes in, so she is motivated. When we first brought her home and started to introduce her to her crate, we would toss treats in there and put lots of toys in, as well -- without closing the door. She is also fed in her crate, with the door open. Charlotte still sleeps with a Snuggle Puppy at night, though we no longer turn on the heartbeat mechanism.
When Charlotte would complain about being in her crate during the day (She never did at night, for some reason.), I would shake the crate from behind, making small earthquakes. Since the crate was covered, she couldn't see me shaking it. The idea was that she would associate the rumblings with her whining, thinking that her carrying on was the cause of the crate shaking. That, I believe, is what ended her yelping. My advice is to be strong and not give in to her whining. You will win in the end!
-
Permalink Reply by Laurie, Fudge & Vern on -
John, You might also want to try to search by Crate Training. We have had many decisions about this topic and I am sure you will find tons of other ideas. Good luck and congratulations on your beautiful puppy. Also, another great group to join is the Puppy Group.
-
Permalink Reply by Ginny Nightingale on -
Lots of good advice already received and i agree with all of it--and you can also just try ignoring the crying even if it hurts your ears (and heart) to do so. If you know all of her needs are met (food, water, potty time) put her in the crate with a treat and turn and leave. Do not look back, do not say "its OK" in a soothing way, do not yell at her. ANYTHING you do beside ignoring her will encourage her to cry more. You can sit quietly nearby for a short time if you want to but again, no interaction. I once dogsat a puppy who did the same thing and her owners were comforting him when he cried in the crate or scolding him. He was terrible at my house until I ignored him. I told them to do the same when they got him home and the problem ended.
You need to remember that pups are very smart and will use the "sympathy factor" to get out of the crate! Sunny is just a tiny baby now so she is probably going to need some time to adjust to the crate, but try not to feel sorry for her--she will get it and will be happy to have a safe place to call her own.
-
Permalink Reply by Ginny Nightingale on
-
PS--this is not a "How To" category--that is for discussions about the website itself and how to find or do things in the site. I think the right category for this discussion is "Discussing Labradoodles and Goldendoodles"--- also join the puppy group and you can commiserate with other new puppy owners!!
© 2013 Created by Adina P.
