I don't know what to do with my new puppy. I am trying to crate train her and she won't stop squealing.

Question

It is breaking my heart but I have to get her trained because she will have to be at home by herself for 4 hours everyday. What can I do? I have tried a few of the separation anxiety toys that keep them busy and that only helps for a little while until she realizes that I am gone. She is a 6 week old Chiuauah. I have only had her since Friday. She is already very bonded to me though because of her young age. Please help! This is breaking my heart!

For those of you saying she is too young to leave her mother, she was abandonded at a shelter. She was already separated from her mother. She is not a "puppy mill" puppy. I would never support an industry that does such harm to little precious animals.

Answer 1

you will just have to let her cry. Try going outside so you cannot hear her and come back in after about 20 minutes. It took my puppy about 3 weeks of crying for at least 15 minutes every night after being put in her crate before she realized that I was not coming in there. After the 3 weeks she went right in and curled up for her nightly nap.
It does break your heart but if you plan on crate training then be prepared to tough it out.

Answer 2

Okay your going through the same problem I am. I have a dachsund and she doesn't leave my side, except at nights because she has fleas right now and we are trying to get rid of her fleas. But each night it breaks my heart to hear her whining and crying. What you should do is make the crate a fun place to be like you were trying to buy her dog toys. Let her know whos the boss even though its hard. If she knows whos the boss she will obey better. When she whines tell her to stop or be quiet. If she listens reward her with a treat or something she really enjoys. Talk to your dog even though it might sound a little weird but it works! I heard that from a website that dogs about dogs and how to crate train them. But try to ignore the whines and crys even though its really hard! Well good luck with the crate training and I hope my advice was a help or not.

Answer 3

It takes some time for the puppy to get used to the whole idea. She is very young and has had some major changes in her life, give her time. No matter what they are going to cry for awhile. I have crate trained five dogs and not one of them stopped crying for at least a couple of weeks. It took my one dog 6 months before he would not cry anymore. Just keep at and do not make a big deal out of it when you are leaving, remain calm. If you make a big deal out of it to the dog she will get worse. I always rewarded my puppies with treats when I would put them in the crate so it was a good thing to them. I know it is hard to hear them cry but they are really okay and as she grows older she will actually feel safe in the crate.

Answer 4

She is too young to crate train...she is supposed to be with mom and litter for another 2 weeks, at least...So, it is very traumatic to be left alone in a crate...It just won't work..
You will end up with a very traumatized, hyper-active, stubborn to train, acting out frustrations..timid or aggressive puppy.. Until she is older, she needs constant companionship..just as a newborn human baby...Maybe you could take her to work? or leave her with a friend or family? or call doggy day cares to see if they have a nursery? Or hire a sitter? Or the breeder could sit for her? However, I wouldn't trust a breeder that sold a 6 week old puppy, especially to someone who works.

the worst part about stressing a puppy this age, is that stress keeps their immune system from developing as it should, and your puppy will be wide open to catch any disease you bring in on your feet..
There just has to be a better solution...

Answer 5

Well, it looks like your going to have to just let her cry, she is so young, she's only 6 weeks old, and she now thinks of you as her mother, I would leave her a sweater or something with your scent on it so she can curl up in it while your gone, also a clock that ticks will remind her of her mother and she will feel more calm. She is going to have to learn that you have to go work, our little puppy had to learn that too, but now she's fine, it just takes time.

Answer 6

Chihuahuas are extremely attached to their owners, this will be a hard time for you both.You can try leaving a ticking clock under a shirt with your scent on it in her crate , it may help.Also put lots of warm bedding in for her, they get cold really easily.If these don't work, you can confine her to a small area of your home (like the kitchen) using a baby gate so she doesn't wreck the house.That method worked wonders for my friend's chi.Just be sure to leave food and water out for her,some toys and the open crate with bedding in it.Good luck!

Answer 7

We had a similar situation with our puppy. We did three things to help him get used to his cage.

First, we put one of my tee shirts that I had worn while working out in his crate. This put a comforting scent in there with him.

Second, we put him in his crate and sat there with him, feeding him treats and loving him. This helped him recognize his crate as a safe place. The flip side of this is never put your puppy in a crate as a punishment, this will develop negative associations with it.

Finally, we put him in the crate and left the apartment for two minutes then came back. Then we did if for five minutes and came back, then ten, fifteen, and so on for up to two hours. Each time is a little bit longer, but our puppy learned that we will come back.

This took a little of time, but now our puppy thinks of his crate as his room and it is a safe place. This is especially helpful when we are gone for a while or when we travel and he comes with us. It provides a sense of security and safety for him in an unfamiliar place.

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

Best thing to do is to be consistent. Of course she's going to cry, but the minute you give into her, she wins. You must show her that this is the way it is and she'll calm down after awhile. It took our cocker spaniel a good 2-3 weeks before he understood, but once he got it he knew that the kennel was his safe haven and used it to nap in during the day. She'll understand it's her very own space and will accept it. Give it time...and don't give in to the heartbreaking wimpering & crying she's using..if you do, she'll use it all the time to get her own way! (they can be very manipulative! hehe!)

Answer 9

Probably a puppy thing....she'll grow out of it. Meanwhile, try checking a book out from the library about raising dogs. It might help.

Answer 10

Leave the door open. Put her sleeping things in there. She will learn to go in to sleep.