Crating/Temper Tantrums

Hi All,

Abby is 10 weeks old now and is starting to become a little madam so I was just looking for some advice as I'm not sure I am doing things correctly with crating. As I am off work I try and play with her for an hour to tire her out and then put her in her crate that sits in a playpen so she can get some shut eye.

Only problem is she likes to have a hissy fit and try and escape the pen. I leave different variety kongs in there (not stuffed unless I need to go out and she really won't settle and don't want a fat pup on my hands from constant grazing) yet she just ignores them and moans the house down. This is after her going to the toilet so I know it's not that.

Should I be closing the crate door when she is in or just absolutely ignore the moaning and leave it open? I'm just unsure as to whether I'm striking the right balance of her needs and don't want to be neglecting her nor re-enforcing her getting her own way the whole time. I go back to work next week where she will be left for slightly longer periods as someone will be checking on her throughout the day and slightly concerned I'm creating bad habits.

Thanks!

Hi Mike,

From my knowledge, and im not certain on this, if you are going to get her used to the crate, I would suggest keeping the door closed, with some treats in there and encouragement to show her she is fine in there and nothing is going to happen, our trainers suggested putting rocky on the lead, and leading him in with treats then letting him sit there and offer more treats with lots of praise, then close the door with some more treats and lots of praise. Not sure what to do if they keep whining though, as we didn't end up crating Rocky.

Im sure someone with more advice will be along

Thanks Maria. I've done the treats thing and the praising and she is happy to go in the crate yet there are times where she just throws a temper tantrum there's no consistency with her moods! lol

TBH I'm just stressing out a bit because she hasn't been allowed out for walks cos of her injections so I'm hoping when she's allowed out next Monday it'll knacker her out a bit and provide a bit more stimulation.

Also should add I have the treat dispensers and I am doing short bursts of training with her throughout the day.

Ohh dear! Girls huh! haha, yeh im not too sure what to do in that case then. Sorry!

I wouldn't stress though, when Rocky wasn't allowed out due to the injections, we wore him out with plenty of play time and training him on lead walks in the yard. I'm sure she will get the hang of things sooner or later, they can be sooks though. Good luck!

My pup was 12 weeks when I started to crate train her and I always closed the door and ignored her whining, I left treats and toys in there, the whining got shorter and shorter, now 3/4 weeks down the line she gets in herself and I still close the door. She gets excited when I come to let her out but knows to be sitting still cos the door won't open until she is :p She also settled better once I put a blanket over the crate, not sure why.

Frankie is 2 and he squeals if he is shut away from us, if we are in the house he has to be with us. So it maybe that she's doing it because she knows you're still there. When we go out frankie doesn't squeal or winge. Have you tried leaving a radio on for her so she's got some 'company'
If you leave the house does she still make a noise?

Crate training should be done very gradually. Start by enticing her in with treats (don't worry, she won't get fat & she'll work a lot of it off when she starts to go for walks) and letting her come straight out again. Then just close the door for a few seconds to start with, and then plenty of praise. Gradually increase the time the door is shut. When you get to about 3 or 4 minutes, try leaving the room for a few seconds & then back, but don't open the door immediately - leave it for a minute & then let her out. Then you can increase the time you're out of the room.

What caryll suggest's is exactly what we did with darcy, it works a treat, darcy is 10 months & loves her crate and can be left upto 3 hours (I don't like leaving her any longer) but darcy doesn't have her door closed she's lucky that we have a bit of an indoor run.

Appreciate all the advice. Will just have to keep at it and try and get it right at least until walkies are allowed lol.

In the meantime here's a pic of some sunbathing she got in today

Isn't she beautiful!

Aww she's adorable

She is a little beauty. I did exactly as Caryll said also and I didn't tend to make too much of a fuss when I left Vinnie just say bye Vin and leave. Same on my returns never go straight and make too much of a fuss, usually put the kettle on first! He always has treats though he does love his little cave!

beautiful little chunk

Patience, time, praise and consistency was how we got Rolo happy in his crate... that and his huge teddy bear, we always put it in for him to snuggle with when he was tired.  Nearly 2 years on... and he still has his teddy bear

She is lovely!

I found this feed really helpful. Thanks.

Thanks again all. I have slowly got her used to closing the crate door with a stuffed kong and this morning she crashed out in there after playtime with the door closed without any protest

Well done Abby she will love it when she gets used to it. Glad its going well:D