We just purchased a mal pup who we are raising to compete in Ringsport. She has a ridiculous drive and we have been building her bite work. She is teething now, so we have started to focus more on her retrieve. The only problem we have been having with her is in her crate....we were told to minimize corrections, even verbal ones at this young an age to help build and maintain her drive. However, at times, when we crate her, she goes ballistic and barks incessantly, chewing at the crate bars. I don't want her to break a tooth and I cannot, for the life of me, get her to stop barking. It isn't a separation anxiety type of behavior - she only does it about 50% of the time, typically if I or another dog is in the room that she can see - but once she starts, there is no stopping her. If I am not supposed to correct her, how to I combat this problem? I have tried chew bones etc all with no avail. Any recommendations?

Well, I've seen alot of people say to throw a dark colored sheet over the crate. Maybe that will work.

 Quote: Meagan Karnes

We just purchased a mal pup who we are raising to compete in Ringsport. She has a ridiculous drive and we have been building her bite work. She is teething now, so we have started to focus more on her retrieve. The only problem we have been having with her is in her crate....we were told to minimize corrections, even verbal ones at this young an age to help build and maintain her drive. However, at times, when we crate her, she goes ballistic and barks incessantly, chewing at the crate bars. I don't want her to break a tooth and I cannot, for the life of me, get her to stop barking. It isn't a separation anxiety type of behavior - she only does it about 50% of the time, typically if I or another dog is in the room that she can see - but once she starts, there is no stopping her. If I am not supposed to correct her, how to I combat this problem? I have tried chew bones etc all with no avail. Any recommendations?

One thing is that you need to be careful not to reward crate antics (which almost everyone does, instinctively) with attention, soothing, anything, and another is to put a tired puppy in the crate and then reward for quiet-in-the-crate.

These are things I have done with green-to-the-crate adults, but I imagine puppies would be similar.

Puppy people?

Good points Connie. My Mal has been waking my wife up early so she wanted him to sleep in crate of course in the other room. Well he did n ot like this change and went Malistic all night in crate. She came out to put him back in the bedroom but I would not let her told her we asked for it now deal with it.
could not give in and let him win. Meagon response to you is you wanted a Mal deal with it and enjoy! This high energy drive he is showing here is what you want in other forms in sport. You could crate or kennel away from all people and pets as well. My boy does not like being in the crate when the rest of us are out doing our thing

Thanks guys. I have been sleeping in the other room and just letting her cry it out...I am sure my neighbors are thrilled (wink wink). I have tried the sheet which works from time to time but it has been so hot, I worry about her overheating. I guess my best defense is to just tire her out during the day so she has no energy to cry at night

 Quote: Meagan Karnes

I guess my best defense is to just tire her out during the day so she has no energy to cry at night

Yup. A tired dog is a happy dog!

What about some music or soft white noise (a ticking clock or something) for her? I have a fish tank with bubbly sounds near the crate and also, the first week or so I did play some classical music for the pup...

What ever you do, do NOT cave on the crate. She'll learn with consistant, patient effort on your part. Though I know it is hard...

Oh, and the bitter apple on the crate bars might work...leerburg sells it.

Edited by Michele McAtee (07/15/2007 06:43 PM)
Edit reason: bitter apple

 Quote: Michele McAtee

What about some music or soft white noise (a ticking clock or something) for her?

Or a fan!

Not close enough to reach, of course, and not directed right at the dog's face, but it's both white noise and a help with the heat.

I use a fan myself for white noise.

Thanks guys. I will give it a shot...I promise I won't cave She's a great pup and we plan to do a lot of traveling with her so the crate is a must! I'll keep you guys posted...

Hi Meagan

Ive been through this with 2 pups at once (6 week diff in age).

Be consistent like everyone says, making sure she gets plenty of exercise (how old is she?).

Make the crate "the place to be" for her. Always giver her a treat when you put her in.

I would leave the door of the crate open and throw thier toys in and get them used to it being a fun relaxing place not a bad place.

Never correct them in the crate, never yell or strike the crate.

Put a couple hard rubber chew toys, with one pup who chewed on the bars instead of the toys I dipped the toy in broth froze it and gave it to her, she loved it.

In my exp. the bar biting was from frustration, exercise and stimulation was the best remedy.

I use a fan to, in summer.... in winter music.

I did cover thier crates when they were younger it helped a lot, sheet meant its sleep time.

2 weeks of unbending consistancy will pay dividends dont waffle and all will be good.

I found having a structured routine w/ bedtime/play ect. that helped.

Ignore her crys if all of her basic needs are met.

I take my pups all over the place and I started them with short trips lots of praise and treats and now we can travel 4-5 hours with no problems they are very comfortable in their crates.

Good luck