HELP!!! My b/f and I want to kill our puppy?

Question

Trying to kennel train this 8 wk old toy poodle is a pain in my ***. All he does is yelp so loud everytime I put him in his kennel..and I've tried shaking a can w/change in it..makes it worse.. You can't play with him in his kennel b/c all he'll do is whine and bite the cage door... Please...anybody know what I should do?

Answer 1

How long have you had this puppy? It takes a week or two for them to quit whining in the crate.
If you have had him long enough to have stopped by now, then try getting a cheap water gun (or spray bottle with the "stream" option). When he crys, spray him in the face and tell him "No". Make sure he has a chew or toy in his crate to play with. I would never leave food in the crate, and I don't like to leave water. The crate should be used when you can not watch your puppy. Don't leave him in there all the time (no more than about 3 hrs at a time).

Never use the crate as punishment for an accident in the house. As far as "playing" in the crate. If you want to make a game of "kenneling", then get a soft treat and give him a taste of it, then put the rest just inside the crate. As he goes for it, say "kennel" or what ever word you want to use. Let him get the treat w/o actually putting him in the crate. Then progress this game until you can toss the treat to the back, and he goes in without hesitation. Once you reach this point, then close the door for a second or two then open it and let him out. Give praise. Keep doing this until you can lock him in.

Also, try playing hard for an hr or so before bed to ware him out, then put him in the crate (take him out to potty first). If this does not work, and you know he is not hungry, thirsty, or gotta go, then as long as he does not disturb the neighbors, let him whine...don't let him out. He may have already learned that if he whines loud enough, you will let him out.

Be patient with him, he is only a baby. :)

Answer 2

Don't hurt the dog!!! Did you know that the majority of dogs euthanized in shelters are under a year old? this is because people don't think about the consequenses of getting a puppy. It's only 8 wks old! Be patient. Make the kennel a happy place to be for the pup-more like a play pen than a cage. Also, 8 wks is NOT too young to start training. Start immediately and soon you will have a loving and well behaved dog.

Answer 3

It sounds like you should try a little more positive reinforcement. When you put your puppie in the kennel, tell him good boy and give him a treat. Then close the door, and then immediately open it and let him out. Do this about once every 10 minutes. Eventually he will see that the kennel is not hell with wires, but actually a good place to go, because yummy things are there. Once you get him in that frame of mind, try putting him in, give his praise and treat, and leave him for a while. If he starts to cry, tell him it will be OK...and then once he calms down, let him out, give him praise and a treat. Don't let him out when he is screaming...this is just like rewarding a 2-year-old that just threw a tantrum with the candy that you told her she couldn't have.

Smaller dogs are actually known for being a bit tougher to crate train. Everything is so big and scary for them. It sounds like he is scared and the pennies in a can will just make it worse.

I know you are frustrated...but it is going to take time and patience and about a bazillion doggie treats. :o)

Answer 4

All puppies go thru this when first introduced to the crate. This is pretty typical. When crating, make sure your pup has just gone potty to ensure the urge to go is not part of the problem. Also remember that even in the middle of the nite, puppy WILL need to go out a couple of times for a potty run. They are like infants at this age and just can't make it thru an entire nite without getting the chance to empty that tiny little bladder. When you know puppy has just gone potty and put puppy in the cage, ignore the whining and complaints.... but it's very important that potty is not the issue when you do this. Do not pay any attention or attempt to console puppy as this is a reward for the behavior.

Our Border Collie puppy (now almost 6 months old) didn't make it thru an entire nite until she was about 4 months and it can be 6 months for some dogs. She would whine in the middle of the nite and I would get up and take her out to potty. Then she would go directly back into her crate. I didn't engage her in attention or play as I wanted her to learn that coming out at nite was only for potty purposes. We also kept her in our bedroom at nite time. She whined pretty well about the first week or two, but eventually got used to the idea of crating.

You really just have to be patient and make sure you are not reinforcing the behavior.

Answer 5

While I agree that you are not the right type of person for owning this dog, clearly you did not do your homework in researching this breed.

Toy poodles are an old ladies dog because the dog requires lots of attention. Nor are toy poodles known to be sweet or smart dogs.

However, if you insist on keeping the dog, know that shaking the crate is making it worse. Shaking a can with change in it? What's that suppose to do? Instead you should make sure that the dog has a small enough crate, odd advice yes? Dogs like cave like spaces, it makes them feel safe. Too often I see the guilt ridden owner buying a too large crate thinking it will make up for the space. It doesn't it makes the dog uneasy. A smaller space will make the dog think he's enclosed and safe.

Secondly, I see someone posted using a ticking clock. That's excellent advice, the ticking of the clock will calm the dog because it's steady and almost like a heart beat to a dog. I also recommend a hot water bottle or a hot water balloon- both wrapped up in an old towel with the clock within it. That would remind the dog of Mom.

Lastly, for the barking, I recommend two things, a barking collar that will curve the behavior, and that when he's in the crate, praise him and then leave him. He needs to learn not to manipulate you into letting him loose because he doesn't like it. Also treats help in getting him use to the crate.

Answer 6

I know what it's like to be absolutely frustrated with a pet. I've had a lot of puppies and they just need this time to be puppies, and puppies make a lot of noise. Make the kennel as comfortable as possible, if he has a blanket or toy he likes put it in the kennel and show it to him. You can put treats in at first to lure him in but build some trust with him while doing this. Show him the treat and talk to him calmly and don't shut him in at first just let him take it and walk right back out so he gets used to it. You can try playing music, leaving lights on, putting a blanket over the kennel, put a hot water pad under the blankets, put a clock that ticks next to his kennel, or even stick your head in the kennel yourself and try to model the behavior you want. Once you get him in the kennel and plan on leaving him in for a period of time don't give him attention to him in anyway if he makes noise, don't yell at him or go out to calm him. This will only make the noise worse. But, once he does get quiet, even if only for a second, overwhelm him with praise and treats. He'll get it sooner or later but it will take time. It took my puppy a few weeks to finally settle down, it just one of those things that you have to overcome if you really want a dog. And it's well worth it in the end.

Oh and he's just a puppy so make sure he has plenty of opportunities to go to the bathroom and stretch his legs.

Answer 7

Try tossing a blanket over the cage. I have two dogs that really didn't like to be in their crate at first. I usually toss a blanket over it until they settle down. Now they love their crate. Try making the crate a positive thing rather than shaking things. The dog will probably perceive that as negative and rebel even more. Give treats when he willingly goes into crate, etc. I mean your puppy is only 8 weeks old, you've probably only had him for a few weeks if that. He was just seperated from mom, and the other puppies. Cut him some slack, it will all work out. Best of luck.

Answer 8

Put yourself in the puppy's place.. OK, you have just left your home, and your mom and all the brothers and sisters..and suddenly you are removed from the only warm, safe environment you have ever known, and then this person, who is expecting you to love and trust her, is sticking you in a cage, and rattling a can to torture you..
If you sell this puppy now, he will have a chance at a normal life, but if you keep on 'training' in your ignorance, the pup will very soon be too traumatized to ever live a happy life, with anyone!

An 8 week puppy is a BABY! You really aren't cut out to have a puppy (or a baby) until you are more mature. You should put the puppy up for sale, or return it to the breeder.. You definitely don't have the patience it will require to raise and properly train a puppy.

Answer 9

First make his cage a nice place to be. Put a nice crate pillow down and an article of clothing that smells like you. Put his favorite toy and treats in there. It has to be a safe place.
If he yelps - Don't pay attention to him. I know that sounds hard and I know how loud they can be. He's learned everytime he cries he gets attention whether it is good or bad.
Spray him with a water sprayer (CVS/Walgreens) when he cries, they really don't like water and it surprises them.
Try to avoid eye contact during this though, attention is attention to him.
Leave the cage open when you all are hanging out. That way he has to go in to get his toys or when he's tired he'll actually lay there on his own.

Answer 10

Boy, it sounds like the little yelper is driving you crazy.

I think you need to be fair to yourselves and the puppy and just say "this is not for us." Bring him back to the breeder.

This is only the first tricky hurdle you will have with this puppy, and some things are HARDER. You sound very stressed and I am guessing this is not the way you envisioned life with a toy poodle puppy.

Give yourself a break, return the pup, donate the food to a shelter and congratulate yourself on being smart enough to realize that this is not what you want.

Good luck.