When we first got him he would go right into his crate and go to sleep. Now he hates it. At night he screams until he falls asleep and during the day he won't go anywhere near it. I have a dog bag for him and he loves that he goes right into it and falls asleep. I have put treats in the crates he won't wont go in. Any suggestions on how to let him know that the crate is a good thing. I have never punished him and put him in the crate. I was off this week so he only went in at night time. Maybe when I go back to work he may get used to it? I would leave the door open, but I am afraid he will chew my kitchen cabinets.
2007-12-07 01:24:02 · 4 answers · asked by Jane 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
He is not from petstore. He is not in the crate for 9 hours. He is 9 weeks old. I let him out in the middle of the night to do his business. Per my vet and everyone else crate training is the best as a puppy. If I don't crate train him I will pay for it later. He just wants to be near me all the time. I put the crate in the room near me and that still is not good enough. He is only 3 1/2 lbs. I can not have him sleep with me yet I am afraid I will crush him.
2007-12-07 02:15:36 · update #1
Did he maybe get hurt in there?
Maybe it needs a good cleaning.
There may be something in there that is making him not want to go in.
Put a new pillow in there, check for sharp edges.
2007-12-07 01:27:43 · answer #1 · answered by Mom of 2 great boys 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he got hurt in there, or you kept him inside for too long he'll have developed an aversity to his crate. Did he ever toilet in his crate? Dogs never toilet in their own beds or dens naturally, and if he became so desperate that he lost control of his bladder and then became upset, he'll no longer regard it as a safe, clean place. Eight or nine plus hours overnight is really too long to leave a weeks-old pup cooped up for without a toilet trip or at least a visit - he'll almost certainly spend at least some nights desperate to pee or poop, getting very miserable and lonely.
If it's the type of crate you can remove the top from then you can try sit and stay techniques, rewarding him for staying in the crate without making it feel like a cage; some dogs just don't like being caged in, especially as young puppies. You can then replace the top again once he becomes relaxed.
With sit and stay however, it's entirely possible for a dog to stay in a bed or crate without the lid being on or the door being closed. If you train well enough he should learn to stay where you leave him regardless of whether he's being forcibly held.
Edit: If it's certain items of furniture you want to protect, just keep him out of those rooms - try using a baby gate to block off doorways so that he can have free roam of a room and sleep in an uncrated bed but isn't in danger of hurting himself on unsuitable items or chewing things you want to keep him away from.
2007-12-07 01:34:10 · answer #2 · answered by La Comtesse DeSpair 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he is staying in there the entire night or for the entire time you are at work, then it is just too long for him!!!!! Crates are not meant to be used like that!!!! Puppies have a lot of energy and putting them in a place where they can't get rid of some of that energy when they want to, just makes them miserable!!!! Imagine drinking a pot of coffee and getting in a box that you can't run around in, to get rid of you excess energy and you will see what they go through!! I know a lot of people use crates like this, but they really shouldn't!!! Put him in a room that he can't hurt anything, put down some puppy pads, and toys, like a kong, You will see that this will work just as well!! They have a fence you can put up in your house, if you need it! Good Luck to you!!
2007-12-07 01:31:41 · answer #3 · answered by meloni o 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he was from a pet store, he was used to a cage, but after a taste of freedom, he doesn't want to go back, because it symbolizes jail and loneliness. Put his food in it with the door open, and make sure you are being "alpha" enough - early evening, take him for a brisk walk - he walks beside you, not in front, and no stopping for sniffing etc. unless he has to potty. Start some obedience stuff, like sit for a treat. Don't be too affectionate or baby-talky, act like "top dog"... He needs to know he can trust you, and that you'll be there for him when he wakes up, sounds like he's feeling nervous.
2007-12-07 01:35:59 · answer #4 · answered by cardsharque 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋