My dog feels sad in his kennel?

Question

When I have my puppy sleep in his kennel at night, I hear him whining, and soon barking, and he really doesn't want to go in when I try to put him in. This doesn't work out well in an apartment complex. I take him out side to go potty, but he doesn't need to go. How do I stop him from crying.

Answer 1

I agree with dog rescue.

You can also try putting his fav toy in the back, so he'll see that the crate is a place for him to chew his fav toy. Give him treats, or find some way to coax him into the crate. The dog sees it as a punishment. Don't only put him in there at night. Put him in there when you want a break from him, when you leave, or at a certain time of day. Like 1 or 2 in the after noon, for sort of a nap. Just like you would with a child, get him on a schedule. He'll get used to the schedule, and the crate.

Once he lears that the crate isn't a bad place to go, he won't whine and bark to get out anymore.

Another thing you can do, is leave the door open, and sort of hidden, and put it in the middle of the room, with the bed inside. That way, when he wants to sleep in his bed, he'll have to go into the crate. Then he'll see that the crate is a comfy place for sleeping.

He feels alone, and unwanted, when he's in the crate. So by making him stay in there when he doesn't want to be in there, is like saying to the dog "I don't love you, or need you right now''. Find a way to make it fun for him to be in there. Or grab a towel or his blanket, and rub it all over you, that way it'll have your scent on it, and toss it in the crate. he'll feel a little more comforted with your scent.

Best of luck to you!!

Answer 2

Definitely give him yummy treats when he goes in the kennel. And DONT let him out when he whines, this only teaches him that if he whines, he gets out, and it will only get worse. Keep him near people, and never use the kennel as a punishment.
I just went through this with my puppy. He would cry and bark at night, despite everything, he wouldn't stop. He actually got so stressed at night that he'd mess in his crate. Eventually, we had to move his crate into the bedroom at night. As long as he knew we were in the room, he would sleep no problem. Now he's 6 months old and sleeps in his crate in the other room perfectly fine. Maybe this is something that could help?

Good luck!

Answer 3

Every single time you put your puppy into his crate, give him a *really* yummy million dollar treat...a treat that you would *only* give him when crating him. Like a little piece of chicken or hot dog or steak. You don't need a big piece. But do it every single time and say "kennel up" or "go to bed". When he whines, you must not get him out of the crate while he is whining. Wait for the instant he is quiet...then let him out. It would be good during the day to put the crate in an area close to where people are, leave the door open, and let him go in and out by himself. It shouldn't take too long before he feels comfortable and the crate will feel safe to him. Each dog is different in the amount of time it takes them to learn. There's excellent information at http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/crate_training.html
regarding crate training. Good luck

Answer 4

It takes them a while to get used to their kennels. Give him a treat when you put him in at night, and use a happy voice when giving him the command to go into his kennel. Never put him in it as punishment, and during the day, leave teh door open so he can go in there for naps. When he cries at night, ignore him. Don't give him attention if he is barking. That will teach him that if he makes a big fuss over things then he will get his way!
It will take a few weeks, but eventually he will get used to it. All of my dogs love their crates!

Answer 5

I hope that kennel is inside with you.He's a baby and alone outside he's afraid of what's hiding in the shadows.He needs to be close to you to feel secure.
Putting a dog and especially a puppy in a kennel is to them equal to putting a person in solitary confinement.He looks at it as punishment rather than a safe place for him to be so make it fun for him to go in.Put toys inside like a kong stuffed with peanut butter and a big cuddly stuffed animal for him to snuggle with.
Take him for a walk before bedtime too and he'll be tired enough to settle down for the night.

Answer 6

You can't take him out when he whines and barks. If you ignore him he will quiet down. Put a stuffed toy or an old t-shirt in with him. If you take him out every time he whines and barks he will continue doing it because he knows this is how he gets out. If you ignore him he will settle down because it gets no reaction I had the same problem when I first got my puppy at 12 weeks. She is now 5 months old and I put her to bed every night and she doesn't make a sound.

Answer 7

It can be difficult in an apartment setting. After a bit, the kennel becomes kind of a sanctuary to them.

Once your dog is house trained and can be trusted, you may want to let him be out, but always leave the door open. My dogs aren't crated much anymore, they like to sleep with their humans... but I do frequently find them just laying in their kennel. I look at it as their "quiet time"... when they just want to relax and be left alone for a bit. I can relate to that...

Good luck!

Answer 8

I have had the same problem with my puppy.

First, pick up the puppy's food and water about 2 hours before you put him to bed. This should keep him from having to go pee in the middle of the night.

Second, have a radio playing next to the dogs crate. Also, if he is good with stuffed animals, put one in his crate with him. This might comfort him enough to allow him to sleep.

It worked for me, I hope it will work for you too.

Answer 9

Your puppy is probably stressed and adjusting to his new environment. You can keep a radio turned on near his crate to provide some aural comfort. Over time, as he matures, you should see a noticeable decrease in his whining at night. The more quality time you spend with him during this infancy period is crucial in your dog's social development.

Answer 10

Maybe move his kennel into your room. He probably feels you are neglecting him and he is lonely. My dogs sleep in a kennel and sometimes they cry because they are lonely.

If that doesn't work, let your dog sleep on your bed if he won't get up and go potty.

Hope this Helps!