How to soothe a whiny Husky?

Question

Our 8 mo. old husky puppy can't stand being locked in her crate while we're gone (there's no way we could leave her loose at this point). We've tried everything: putting toys and towels in there, putting treats inside it, EVERYTHING! She digs and digs and digs, whines and howls incessently, and jumps around (which moves her crate) and rips up anything that is dangling near her crate out of frustration. We've even locked her up in it during the day when we're here in order to get her "used to" her crate. She HATES it and she's damaging the house. Please help!

Answer 1

I had this problem. I asked for help from an online trainer - Ed Frawley of http://www.leerburg.com I didn't like what he said, but I did it (because like you I was desperate for myself and the dog) and it worked inside of 2 weeks. Here's the plan..

1. Crate the dog 24/7.
Now.. I know you don't like this, I didn't either. It was put to me this way - the dog has to get beyond the ghosts in her head. She stays in the crate until she learns to stop acting stupid. This means, when you're home, she's in the crate. Put the crate in the family room or wherever you're going to be most of the time. Let the dog see you. Walk by her crate and drop a treat or two in when she's behaving. Let her see you go to the bathroom, step into you bedroom, whatever it is that you may leave the main room for, she'll see that you step out, and you're right back. Praise and reward when she's quiet once you're out of her sight.
Of course you can take her out on lead for potty breaks and outside play time, but that's our next step.

2. When she's out of the crate your interaction with her must be ON A LEASH AND OUTSIDE ONLY.
Your interaction with her must be limited to time spent outside. Inside = crate, Outside = play/run/etc. You should keep her on a lead from the crate to the door so she understands you have absolute power (alpha control) over her at all times. This is helping to build her security with you.

3. Find a crate treat.
My dog gets freeze dried liver treats for going into her crate. The only time she gets these treats is when she goes into her crate. It made the process a whole lot easier AND it associates the crate with a positive thing - a treat! Crate = treat!

4. Anytime you put your dog into the crate, say "CRATE"
You're teaching your dog the crate command. Mine crates on command after roughly 3 weeks, she would actually crate automatically upon re-entering the house after about one week, but it took her a while to go to her crate on command. CRATE, then inside, then treat.

5. Leave the TV or radio on.
Dogs are social, don't like to be left alone. Leave a TV or radio on so the dog can hear voices when you are away.

Once the dog learns to stop howling, destroying, etc. etc. (my dog even lost a tooth biting her crate because of her severe anxiety), then you don't have to be so strict. But because it sounds like your dog (and my dog) have insecure tedencies, make sure you're reinforcing the at home crating time periodically so your dog doesn't ONLY associate the crate with "mom's leaving". Sometimes the crate means "i'm going in the other room" and sometimes the crate means "this is your place for now and i'll be right over here."

Worked WONDERS for my dog, she hasn't complained since.

I failed to mention that you should be walking your dog at minimum 45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes at night, with a short walk in the afternoon to help them practice their obedience and get their wiggles out.

Answer 2

You should always have a towel or something soft for her to lay on. She will chew these up till she realizes you are giving her something to lay on not play with. Give a chew toy and a stuffty and change these toys often so she don't get bored.You can try taking a OLD shirt you have worn in the past couple days and put a cheap alarm clock that ticks rapped up in it. This makes a sound like heart beat to help comfort her.One other thing is when you put her in her cage try short periods like two min. if she goes in and doesn't act up let her out praise her and maybe a treat. then up the time after a couple successful times until she gets the point that she is not going to have to be in there forever and you will give love when you let her out. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Train her to the house!! She can learn,,you just have to be persistent in what you want her to learn.First off,,she needs alot of excersize to get the excitment out of her for the day.Do you have a fenced in yard where she can run? How about a dog house with straw & a chain from a hardware store (they are strong & dont break.) & be sure to put a swivel clip on both ends so not to tangle the chain.Be sure that she is not near a tree or anything that she can tangle on,,even brush.And not near a fence or she can get over it & hang herself. Let her outside for a good amount of time,,then bring her in,,train her by using certain words like No,,here,,stay. Never hit a dog because that will make them loose trust in you.When you use the words,,be direct & in a dicipline tone.You may roll up a newspaper & smack your hand.I dont beleive in crates,,they only make it worse & it sounds like your dog is very frustrated which is not a good thing.Can she stay in 1 room,,like the kitchen or living room? Give her her own toys & rawhide chewie & ball.She needs to get that excitement out of her daily.Huskies are naturally hyper and she is young.After being crated so much,,she should be willing to do anything~learn.She wants to be given the chance to learn.Take the time.You will see what a fine dog that she can become.Give her her own "spot"~a bed. I can suggest watching the show called "The Dog Whisperer." He is truely amazing & also has a training video.You want your dog to be good in your home like a good dog should be.But,,they have to be taught to be that way.You have a beautiful,,smart dog who very much wants to be taught.Good luck.

Answer 4

Huskies are working breeds. Locking your 8 month old up in a cage for most of the day is cruel, so of course he is going to act out at you!! She needs more exercise and less confinement. These dogs are large dogs with loads of energy and they need an outlet. If she is destructive to your home, she needs some spot-on behavioral training by a professional dog trainer. You cannot just expect this behavior to go away. I suggest some in-depth private home training so she can learn where the potty is and is not, what toys are hers to chew on, among others.
Puppies use their crate to sleep in and while housetraining, but once they get bigger, you should phase out the crate. If her housetraining is not perfect by 8 months of age, I would be greatly concerned.

Again, call a professional dog trainer/behavioralist. You need professional help with your husky. I hope you did your reseach on this breed before brining her home, but it sounds like you did not. These are not ideal family dogs. They need mental and physical stimulation in the form of play time, running, long walks, and retrieval.
2 hours in the crate for a Husky is really pushing it.

Answer 5

How old was she when you got her? Sometimes if a puppy has a negative experience during a "Fear imprint period" it can cause them to hate the crate.
Try feeding her in her crate with the door open. When walking by the crate, toss a cookie inside for her. When you have to shut the door, give her a stuffed Kong (freeze it to last longer)
Try using a D.A.P. diffuser or spray.
Give her lots more exercise in the mornings.

Answer 6

Have you tried a wind up clock?

Can someone fit in the crate? Has anyone tried curling up and sleeping in the crate or is the crate too small?

Can you put home movies on or Animal Planet on while your away? Some pets calm down and relax infront of the TV or on the couch for most of the day if they have something to watch and listen to,.. if it's family it may calm them down more.

Answer 7

It's good that you are using a crate to train your pup, but it's time to take a step back with your training. Did you take the time to desensitize her to her crate, and put treats in there, feed her in there, and have her in there with chewies and stuffed Kongs that made her crate a lovely place to be? If not, it's time to reward her heavily for being in there. Take the time to follow the guidelines for acclimating your dog to her crate. If the anxiety behaviors persist, then it would be time to ask a behaviorist for some help. There is a lot of info available online about crate training, and separation anxiety. Good luck!

Answer 8

Your dog may have separation anxiety. More exercise might be the answer. Regular daily walks to burn off the energy. Too crazy on the leash? Try using a halti head halter or a gentle leader, it's like magic as far as calming a dog on a lead.

Answer 9

When my puppy was having trouble with the crate i realized she was just missing me. Put an old t-shirt that smells like you in with her.

Answer 10

They love to be outside more than anything. At night, if you have her out all day, she would be more relaxed. Give her an area in the yard, though, that you don't mind having being dug up. They plant themselves in the hole to stay cool in the summer and warmer in the winter!!