we take him out 3-5 times a day, and we feed him 3 times a day. he's an american bulldog. i know there really isn't a way to stop the barking, but it doesn't hurt to ask. thanks everyone!
2007-02-18 15:37:38 · 13 answers · asked by laxplayer2604 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
a 6 week old puppy should still be with his mom and littermates-
could have something to do with it 8(
2007-02-18 15:42:10 · answer #1 · answered by yarmiah 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My first question is what is your reason for the crate?
If it were while you are out...you would not hear him bark.
If it is while you are sleeping....it's more than likely he is TOO YOUNG & doesn’t get it.
Most good breeders will tell you a puppy should not be released until 8 weeks. Some breeders prefer 10. A socialization process needs to happen for the little guy to feel nurtured by his mom and the rest of the litter.
There are a few different "ideas" of what you should do or shouldn’t.
All the prior mentioned ones have good merit.
~ I don’t recommend the Can Thing; it will scare the little pup and could possibly if not done correctly make him think the whole crate thing ='s being scared even more.
Don’t torture him.
~ The cover is good especially if this is happening at night, but does he have something warm to snuggle that would take the place of the mom and his litter mates that he used to sleep with? Perhaps even an old shirt of yours over a small pillow would give him a little more security to know it's not a bad thing & it is warm to snuggle.
~ If it is during the day that he is barking and you are home, he hears you. There is no reason in his mind he shouldn’t be with you as the litter/ PACK which he now belongs. He will feel ostracized from "you", his new pack mate. He is better off outside or crated where he cannot hear what he is missing.
~ Toys are a great idea as well. Try a Kong with a treat inside that he has to work on both with energy and cunning. Zoo animals do this so they can use instincts God gave them to find food. Plus it's a fun way to pass some time.
~ Make sure all this walking etc. is going to be at the same time all the time.
You have to be consistent and not just take him out because he is barking or, as said prior, he will equate barking to getting out of the crate.
With consistency, he will understand and trust your motives; as well as begin an inner clock of sorts.
**OK, I have gone so far as to take a nap in a crate.
NO, I did not fit entirely into a puppy-crate; until my Great Dane**
Sometimes just a little caressing till he is relaxed about the whole idea reassures them it is a good place to be. {however, not because of the barking}
Start out that way, see if he goes to sleep, and close the door and walk away.
DON’T COME BACK if the barking begins.
If you cannot handle the barking ~ consider taking a drive for 30 min.- then come home and let him out. Show him you will always come back in longer intervals each time.
**** HERE’S THE IMPORTANT PART****
When you come home, DONT-DONT-DONT make a big deal about it. No high-pitched voice "good boy, I missed you, here I am don’t worry etc etc".
In fact, ignore him slightly for about 10 minutes.
A slight good boy and pat on the head and that is it.
*Why? Because when you make a big deal you are instilling the idea he should be very upset that you have been gone, he will think he should be overly excited and he will attain separations anxiety. In his eyes, you would be praising his nervousness.
What you want him to think is, “Hey glad you're home, aint no big thing I was in that crate, im cool if you’re cool".
The hardest thing is we tend to assume the dog is thinking like us. Human ideas onto Canine instinct will mess up a dog psychologically. We attempt to implement human characteristics and that is the hardship of the dog.
You will get through this part with much patience and some time.
Having a puppy is hard work but is very rewarding to have unconditional love.
Best of Luck to you & the little pup!
2007-02-18 17:28:05 · answer #2 · answered by Ms.T 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He should not have been released from the breeder til 7 weeks old-but that's hindsight. If the barking is non stop even after you say "No"- try staying out of sight( around a corner but not too far away) have a couple of empty pop cans in your hand- as soon as he barks again say "No"& toss a can at the crate door. I don't mean whip it- a toss will do to get his attention & he'll learn that you won't tolerate non stop barking. Another way to do it is just use an empty can with a few pennies sealed in- as a shaker can. he barks you say no-& shake can.
2007-02-18 15:51:01 · answer #3 · answered by silke 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I also think your puppy is way too young to be away from his mom. Maybe you shouldnt try crating him-he needs companionship at such a young age. If youre going to take on the responsibility of an animal, you have to deal with issues like this and make the sacrifices as a pet owner. I feel sorry for the animals that are locked up in a cage.
2007-02-18 17:20:52 · answer #4 · answered by naomi b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe he isn't getting enough attention or he just barks because
he hears things. If you want him to stop barking FAST then you
should do this. An empty soda can will be fine. put some pennys i
in it and then tape the top so they don't fall out. When he barks
shake the can and he should stop. this is what i did with my dog
and she stopped in about 2 weeks!
2007-02-18 15:56:33 · answer #5 · answered by Karrrrrr 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ignore him. that is, first make sure you have fed him and taken him out. When you know all his other needs are met, then he just wants attention. Anything else that you do and he learns that barking causes you to come to him and pay attention to him. And only crate him when necessary, not when you are sitting around the house.
2007-02-18 16:29:13 · answer #6 · answered by lildi_32 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He is still very young. My stepson just brought his pom over to my house because he couldn't get him to stop whining when he put him in his crate at night. He has done very well. The first night I slept on the couch next to his crate. Just soothing him whenever he whined. The second night I turned on soft music, which also made him not so lonesome and tonight he got into his crate on his own and he is in with my other crated dogs, fast asleep
2007-02-18 18:17:42 · answer #7 · answered by luv2lysalittle 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think he's barking cause he doesn't want to be left alone. Like a child you must let him "cry" don't let him out of the kennel just because he is barking. If you continue to let him out just because he is barking that will teach him that he can get what he wants when he barks.
2007-02-18 15:42:12 · answer #8 · answered by piggylover_850 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try a toy or something the pup has had close contact with..one of your old socks or something with your "smell" on it might help. If those don't help sometimes it's just "anxiety" from a new situation i.e. the crate that she/he is not used to..it may just take time. Good Luck
2007-02-18 15:45:15 · answer #9 · answered by kiya12bc 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i had the same thing happen with my dog. you should try and get a can and put coins in it...go into another room and shake it (where you can hear it) or hit on the wall...dont pay any attention to him when he barks....and usually they will figure out that if they bark then that loud noise will come on. it worked with my dog...it might help with yours.
2007-02-18 15:59:22 · answer #10 · answered by Kayla J 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
cover the crate with ablakent so he cant see you or whats going on - make sure theres still areas to get frest air though , put the radio on , ticking clock close to crate.. its still a baby - try covering the crate first - it will takeabout 20 - 30 minuites but soo he/she will settle down,,
2007-02-18 15:45:24 · answer #11 · answered by T. M 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋