Going crazy. (crate training)

[allies94]

I am trying everything to crate train Nala. I feed, leave treats for her to find, and leave something recently worn in there for scent (heard that works? I don't know.) I've tried the heated water bottle, everything. The only time she's ever forced in is at night because she's only a puppy and still house training, plus it's in our rental agreement that she's crated at night and when we're not home. She did have her kennel in the living room, but then she cried ALL night. Now it's in my room and she cries for about an hour. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Ursa]

Are you having trouble getting her to crate every time or just at bedtime? Are you hoping to move the crate out of your room for good?

An hour of crying is, in my experience, to be expected. All of my dogs cried for awhile at night. It didn't help that my SO would feel sorry for them and let them out for petting. I had to break him of that bad habit!

 

[allies94]

Getting her to crate every time.
I know an hour isn't too long, but we've had her for two weeks and she's done this every night. I most definitely don't mind her crate being in my room, it's just hard to sleep with her crying! My brother does the same thing, ha. He thinks I'm being mean when I tell him not to!

 

[Jeri]

You're going to have to work on it more than just at night & when you leave. When you're home, play games. Toss a treat in there so she'll go in to find it but can come back out. Does she like to fetch? Toss her favorite toy in there. Tell her how good she is as soon as she goes in to get it. Get her in there several times a day. Good girl as soon as she steps in there. Close the door. Let her cry. As soon as she's quiet for even a minute,,open the door,,treat,,,good girl!!! It's going to take some time & effort on your part. Practice having her in there for just a little bit at a time when you're home.

Camo still complains when I put him in his crate so I can mop the floors without him trying to ride the mop. I don't acknowledge his crying. When I'm done, & he's quiet,,he gets to come out & he's a good boy & gets a treat.

Good luck!

 

[Ursa]

What worked for me was to give my dogs a treat every time they went into their crate. When they were puppies I'd practice with them several times a day. Sometimes they'd just have to stay in the crate long enough for me to shut the door. Other times I'd stretch it out to several minutes. During the longer spells they'd get another treat if they stayed quiet. Now when I give the command to kennel up they run to their respective crates.

I know a lot of people feed their dogs in the crate to make it a happy place to be. I've never tried that so maybe one of them will chime in here with some advice.

 

[allies94]

I'm doing all of that :/

---------- Post added at 09:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 AM ----------

Maybe she's just one of those dogs that you can never crate. I mean I'm not saying she is yet, ill keep trying for the next few weeks..

 

[allies94]

Maybe she's just one of those dogs that you can never crate. I mean I'm not saying she is yet, ill keep trying for the next few weeks..

 

[Jeri]

Stick with it. She'll learn.

 

[Tiger12490]

I don't believe there is an un crate able dog stick with it we believe in you and move the crate out of your room lol your never gonna get any sleep

Tapd on my skyrocket

 

[ravendarat]

Ill tell you what I did last time with my last dog. He would cry for 8 hours straight. It was incredible to me as I didn't know he could have it in him to go that long lol. My problem was I would get him in than just shut the door and that would be it. What I finally learned worked well was to put the pup in the crate but DO NOT shut the door. Then sit down beside the crate and tell the dog to lay down. Now wait till the dog is not only laying down but settled down. Doesn't mean the dog has to be asleep, but has to be at rest. It can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 15 minutes depending on the dog. Once you feel the dog is at rest just shut the door and get up and walk away. Don't say anything to the pup, just walk away. If the dog is settled before the cage closes they are less likely to feel panicked at all. Also you can try walking the dog before bed quickly, just to make sure they are tired out, might help get puppy used to the crate as well. This is what worked for me, hopefully it will help for you too.

 

[allies94]

Just an update - Nala put herself to bed tonight. Out of the clear blue sky. She whined all night last night and wouldn't follow her toys and treats all the way in this morning/afternoon, but at around 10:30 I followed her into my room and she just went straight in and fell asleep! She's the strangest dog I've ever met, lol.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Stick with it. She'll learn.

Yeap!

Oh, just read your update glad things worked out.

 

[Ursa]

Good girl, Nala!

 

[Jeri]

Yayy!!! Good girl!!