How can I get my puppy lab to be quiet in his crate. He screams and hollars like he is crazy.?

Question

He is 8 weeks old. We have had him a little over a week now.

Answer 1

Sounds like he hasn't had a chance to be introduced to his crate. He doesn't see it as "home". Start all over. Treat the crate like it's a trip to doggy disney. Throw treats in there. If he goes in after the treats, tell him he's great. Let him go in and out of the crate after treats and toys. Dont' close the door at this stage. Build it up. Every time he goes in the crate, tell him he's a good boy. When he comes out, say nothing. Feed him in his crate, and without fuss, shut the door and go about your business. When he has finished eating - but before he starts whining - tell him he's a good boy and then let him out. It's a slow process, but you'll get there.

Answer 2

Trust me, keep on it and get some ear plugs. Make sure the crate is big enough for him to stand up and turn around. He will scream and cry the first two weeks but he will learn. Being crate trained is the best and a very safe method for them. The crate will serve as their 'cave' their safe place. With my dog after the screaming started to slow down I wanted him to think that that was his safe place so I would put him in his crate while I watched TV right next to him to know we are hanging out. Don't give up, it will be over very soon and you will be grateful you have a well behaved crate trained dog! Keep going! Good job!
Trust me, this is not cruel. It is a natural setting for a dog. If you ever have a bad spill in the house or broken glass or a visitor comes over and the dog can be in his crate, you are protecting him. Anyone that says this is cruel is ignorant and should do more research on the matter.

Answer 3

You have to ignore it if you come running or try to calm him it just makes it worse and do not bang on the crate as all that does is make the dog fear the crate. Try placing a blanket or t shirt you've worn or slept on in with him. That will sometimes calm him down. Also put the crate next to you so he knows he has not been abandoned Good Luck it is very trying at this stage but well worth it when he is used to it. These are only suggestions you can look on some different sites for more advice or speak to the vet

Answer 4

Good job for crate training your dog!! You are doing the right thing. For the first week or so, the puppy will cry a lot because he's hoping you will come let him out. It takes a little time for him to get used to it. Don't take him out of the crate just because he's howling. You might have to just ignore it until he gets used to it. After he gets used to it, you'll know he needs out to go potty if he starts barking, etc. after being quiet a long time. This is the easiest way to potty train him- take him outside and give him treats when he goes. But for now, unfortunately, you just have to make him get used to the crate. Make sure you're taking him out to be with you and play a lot, though!

Answer 5

Hey there! Man I feel your pain... my black lab is now 7 months old and LOVES his crate!! Although I will never forget trying to leave the house and hearing him howling and wailing... He was terrible for a couple of weeks and then we noticed he would go to his cage when he wanted a nap! He loved it!
The other hard part was crating him at night I would have to wake up at the slightest noise and I would take him outside to pee and then right back into his kennel. So he got the idea that if he was going to howl that the only thing it would get him was a ticket outside and then right back. He started sleeping through the night after we had him for about a month.
Good luck and have fun with him. The worst part is letting him cry and not going to his beck and call.!!!

Answer 6

First Check the basics,
Food/ Water.
is there a blanket in the crate?
Are there plenty of toys?
Never let your puppy see the crate as a form of punishment. My spaniel is now 5 years old and she sees it as her comfort space. And actually will go there when she is not feeling well.

there are also plug ins that you can get that emit an imitation pheromone that lets the puppy think he is back in his mothers womb. I am using this right now and it is helping me introduce my new kitten to my dog. My dog is really calm right now.

Also try a ticking clock wraped in a fleece blanket. That lets your puppy think he is hearing his mothers heartbeat.

i also used to leave the radio on tuned into a talk radio show. This also helped.

Remember she is a puppy and she probably is thinking that you are pretty quirky too.

I there were times that my puppy drove me up the wall, but now looking back, patience made her into the great friend I have today.

Congrats and good luck.

Answer 7

Your puppy will get used to a crate, don't worry! He's still adjusting to his new home.

Be sure he's getting plenty of exercise and interaction with you.

Put his crate in a quiet room that you can make dark and close the door. Put a sheet over his cage.

Also practice putting your puppy in his crate, waiting until he is completely quiet, then go in and give him a few treats, lots of praise, take him out to potty and repeat!

Be sure that you don't "give in" when he's screaming... just like a child! Wait until he's quiet to let him out so he learns that he must be quiet to come out.

Practice crate manners as well. Don't let your puppy rush out of his crate on his own. If he's letting himself out by bolting out when you open the door he's self rewarding. Practice opening the door, and if he starts to bolt, close it and say "No." Open again, if he tries to bolt out use another "No." Keep repeating until you can open the door and say "Okay!" and he'll wait. Give him cookies when you're able to open the crate door and have him wait for your "Okay!" This is also great if you bring a crate in the car for dog and you want them to wait in the crate instead of bolting out into traffic or running away!!!

Give him a Kong toy stuffed with frozen peanut butter and kibble if you're going to be gone for a long period of time. If you buy two you'll always have an extra on hand once one is finished

Good luck, and you've made the right decision investing in a crate for your pup!

Answer 8

It takes time, as does all training. My Lab hated the crate in the beginging but actually prefers to be in it now. Never leave your puppy in there too long, he is too young to be left for long time frames. At that age their bladders are not fully developed yet so they can not hold it long. Best way to do it is put the puppy in for a fews minutes when you are home. Walk out of the room and then come back and let him out. Increase the time frames as you progress. It helps him to learm you are coming back and he is not stuck there. It builds a sense of security.

Answer 9

this is quite normal! Do you create him at night and while your gone? while your home leave the create door open put toys in there let him go in and out freely.What i did also was feed him in there a few times. Put an old blanket in there or a shirt you just worn with your smell on it!
At first i put a separater in there you can only give him enough room to turn around and lay. They will not go where they lay! after a few weeks you can take the separater out.
Also DO NOT use his cage as punishment. his cage is supose to be his own place to go. At night time lay next to his cage and rub his head, thats what i did hes not use to the suroundings yet. Also when he wakes up he may cry take him out enough to outside and right back in he goes. He will learn over time that his cage is his bed time. Hope this helps! GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

Puppies are not supposed to be kept in a cage. Crate training does not mean you keep the puppy caged for long. The puppy is supposed to be part of the family, so if you keep it closed in the crate he feels rejected, and sees the crate as punishment, so the crate works opposite than an instructive method. If he is not comfortable in there, let him out and keep him with you.