When to put my puppy in the crate?

Question

Our 10 weeks old golden sleeps in the crate at night time (He still barks for a while before falling asleep and gets up around 5-6am every morning and start barking), i've read some websites that say if we can't play with him, we should put him back in the crate even when we are at home, such as busy cooking... Is this true? I tried but he just won't stop barking, sometimes when i just need to vacuum or do some housework, i put him back in his crate, he'll just stare at me and start barking. What should i do? And he gets up super early every morning and start barking at 5-6am, we usually get up and take him out for him to relieve himself, then we'll put him back in the crate because we want to sleep for a couple hours more, but he just won't stop barking after that? HELP!!!! Sometimes when we are home, we let him out and run around the apartment, but then he chews on everything and sometimes have accidents around the house too! Any suggestions?

Answer 1

That is great that you are crate training your puppy. It will help him with his behavior and help him calm down as he gets older and realize that this is his "quiet" place. You should definitely get in a routine of when you let him out and when you take him for walks. Make sure you take him out to use the bathroom right before you go to bed and in the morning and also have a routine with walks. Don't punish your dog for barking because whether it is negative or positive attention, that will encourage your dog to bark more because he is getting you to come to him. Also, make sure he has a comfy blanket to lie on and some toys. I suggest getting a nylabone and a kong. This will keep your dog occupied and make him realize that its not such a bad place to be. The barking will be annoying for awhile, but he will realize when you don't come that it isn't doing him any good. Just make sure you get in a groove on when you let him out and walk him. When you get home, let him be around you and play with him for awhile because he wants your attention. If you need to do chores, then you can either put him in his kennel with some treats to praise him for being good or you can keep him with you if hes not in the way and give him a nylabone to keep him occupied. It will take some time to get used to, but in the long run it will all be worth it! Good luck!!

Answer 2

Well...i have a dog. In fact, i have a Husky/Shepard mix. Omg! He is huge! I feel yer pain. My dog is 5 months old, but dont worry, he'll get a lot bigger. First, he should be put in his crate at night, especialy cuz he's still a puppy. It is normal for a puppy 2 park for a little while before he goes 2 sleep. (He shouldn't bark for that long, only about 10 minutes). When he wakes up in the morning, he needs 2 go outside and go 2 the bathroom. That's the only reason that he is waking up so early, that and he's a puppy. And when u read a website that say's something like that, don't belive it, cuz IT'S NOT TRUE! When u put a puppy in a crate it's like depriving them of there freedom! Just cuz u don't want 2 play wit him does not mean that u should just put him somewhere where u don't have 2 worry about him. That's y he barks sooo much! And no u should not just put him in his crate just cuz yer cooking.

Answer 3

Your pup needs more exercise. The crate is for house training, not to contain him when it's not convenient to have him out and about. A good puppy is a tired puppy. You should be walking him for at least 30 minutes at night, and that time will increase as he gets larger. Dogs are pack animals, and you are his pack, and he wants to be a part of what is going on. As for the sleeping time in the kennel, I have found that moving the crate into our bedroom did wonders. Again, because he knows I am right there. Give it a try and see if that helps. You might also want to include a stuffed toy and a raw hide or something he can chew on so that if he does wake, he has something to do. As for his being loose in the apartment, he's going to chew and have accidents - you have to train him. He has no idea that he isn't supposed to be doing those things. Especially if he's been cooped up in the crate all day, he wants to get out and play and cause trouble. It's normal. I have to be honest with you and say it sounds as though you really don't have the time needed to really raise and train this puppy.

Answer 4

The running around, chewing on things and having accidents sounds like a puppy to me. I've heard lots of people sing the praises of having their dog crated, but these people usually say that the dog likes to be in the crate when the door is open. It sounds like your dog doesn't like it and is very bored. Why have a dog if you don't let it out to be part of the family when you are home. They are such loving, social creatures and crave being around people that I can't imaging crating them while I was at home. Besides how are they supposed to learn how to behave if they don't get any time with the family?

Answer 5

you need to watch hime when he is out of the crate because u can usually tell when he is about to go potty. you should also walk him about 30 min each day. a tired dog will not bark. he is barking because he is in the crate when u r home and he doesnt understand why. the crate should only be used for establishing a potty schedule or taking him to the vet. if u dont have enough time to spend training him when u are home you probably should find him another place to live...puppies chew alot, get him a toy.

Answer 6

It may be that he feels insecure.
You shouldn't keep him in the crate all the time, he's a dog, not a hamster... You should really work on obedience training. Unruly dogs that I have worked with seem to love the attention, and by doing as they are told, they feel a sense of accomplishment or something. Even something as simple as telling him to sit in the corner, and keep an eye on him, and when he tries to get up and go elsewhere, tell him to sit again.

If he chews on stuff when he's unattended, maybe keep him on a leash, and clip the leash to your belt. He will have to follow you everywhere, you can talk to him constantly, he will never feel lonely, and you can watch him at all times.

If he is too in the way while you are cooking, you could leash him somewhere in the room, so he is still with you, but not under foot. When he gets older, he will just want to sit and watch you more, but he is still a puppy and wants to be loved.

Don't make him feel like being in the crate is punishment.

Answer 7

sounds to me like you have a case of an bored dog. Golden retrievers are sporting dogs, they need TONS of exercise and are not generally recommended as apartment dogs. Try walking your dog for at least 30 minutes two or three times a day. As your dog gets older you may need to increase this to 45 minute walks. You'll be surprised at how your dog will be much better behaved once you've completely worn him out. Right now, he's just bored looking for something to entertain him.

You should not be using the crate to just put the dog away when he's acting up, the crate is a potty training tool and a safe place for you dog to sleep.

Answer 8

You need to get control of this puppy and make sure he knows YOU are the pack leader, not him. I believe this dog probably needs more exercise. Walk him more, discipline him (that means set rules for behaviour) and be consistent in enforcing them. This dog barks in the morning after you put him back in the crate because you've conditioned him to know that barking gets him out of the crate. Of course he's going to keep on barking. Do not let him out until you're ready to do so, don't let him dictate. Also, get him calm and quiet before you do let him out. Letting him out when he barks is teaching him to bark.

Since he's only 10 weeks old, he's still a baby and will chew on things. Does he have plenty of toys to chew on? A 10 week old puppy is going to have accidents. It's up to you to keep an eye on him and let him out after a nap, after playing, after eating and drinking. Marke sure you go outside with him and the split second he pees, give him lots and lots of praise. Positive reinforcement is the way to go and he'll be housetrained quickly.

If he barks, you have to be calm, never yell, and assertive and tell him No (or whatever word you want to use). When he quiets, praise him quietly (you dont want to get him excited again).

Most importantly you have to stop letting him out of the crate when he barks. Good luck with your training.

Answer 9

eventually he will learn that his crate is his safe place, and will want to go in when he wants to be left alone, nap, etc.
If ignoring him doesn't work when he starts barking, you can always use a spray bottle and spray him in the face whenever he barks, in and out of the crate. if he is barking for protection purposes, don't spray him, he will know the difference. I wouldn't put him in the crate when you can't play with him, only if you can't keep a close eye on him. puppies are babies, and they will get into things that they shouldn't so if you want to keep him safe, put him in his crate. make sure he has lots of toys to chew on, because if he isn't teething already he will be soon. when he is out of his crate, ALWAYS keep an eye on him, and take him outside regularly. he may be getting bored in his crate and needs to go for a nice long walk.
good luck

Answer 10

I am not an expert and am currently struggling with housebreaking 2 - 4.5 month old pound puppies. BUT I have had good luck with the crate. I think your pup needs more exercise. Give him a good walk before crating him. I walk mine in the morning before I crate them while I am at work. Again when I get home and again before bed. They do fine in their crate but also get up nice and early...kind of like babies - they need attention, care, and exercise. Good luck!