Im not sure if this is the right place to post this... Im not even sure whether its aggression or dominance. As some of you know... I recently got a GSD puppy by the name of Kane aka Caesar. He has been a good puppy with good house manners. Gentle with my children. He is 14 weeks old and I am having a problem with him going in his crate. I crate him at night, and when we leave the house, also durring the day for about 1-2 hours. I feed him in his crate. He doesnt like the crate and will cry and bark for about 10-15 mintures after putting him in there. He will not go in the crate by himslef at all. I have tried putting a chew toy, treats... even the most tempting treat will not get him in there. I have to physically pick him up and put him in there. Well last night and today when I crated him he started to growl and I think try to nip me. Once I got the door closed he went nuts and started barking and nipping the wires. He has NEVER shown any aggression or dominance and is other wise the gentleist dog I have seen. Am I doing something wrong and how do I crrect it? I dread even crating him tonight afraid that this this might be the time he gets a chance to bite me. I have read an article by Ed about leaving them in their crate all day (other that to potty and exercise) until the learn to like their crate. Is this my problem? I ahve had him for a few weeks and why all of a sudden the behavior? Shouldnt he be better if anything? His crate in in the garage since at night he keeps the whole house up. Shpould I leave him there all day? Please help if you have any info. Bed time comes quick and I hate to see him act this way! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Well, I crate my puppy anytime I am not directly interacting with her. She does her share of complaining about it too, they all do.

But I just ignore her and reward her for good behavior, such as waiting till, she settles down, and then say good puppy and take her out then, etc. I also make her sit and look into my eyes for me to open the crate door. You have to be quick and observant to get the timing right, but they learn fast what gets them the best results.

As for the biting, I just think the puppy is trying to express it's frustration and try to get away with NOT being confined. You MUST ignore this behavoir. And if the pup doesn't go in the crate on it's own then pick it up and pop it in and QUICKLY shut the door and your ears!!

Also, I personally prefer to keep my puppies crate in my bedroom. I put LOTS of blankets to keep the noise level down as he or she shifts around, and I find that they feel more secure that you are close by. I have never had more than a few nights of disturbance, in the very beginning , with ANY pup I've used this system with.

Hope this helps! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well he was in our room at first and we did the ignoring thing and it started to interfere with my 1 yr ols sleep... At night he doesnt really cry in the garge its jsut going in... he settles down after a few minuts. I will try to ignore him... but if he does bite how do I react? Do I scold him? Grab him by the scruff or just act like it didnt happen? If I even walk in the garage he goes nuts. Should I be sending him to his crate more often during the day and wait there for him to calm down and then let him out and then back in, like a conditioning exercise? Im just surprised he hasnt acted like this sooner.

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Should I be sending him to his crate more often during the day and wait there for him to calm down and then let him out and then back in, like a conditioning exercise?

I would say yes, this is a good idea because you are in fact conditioning him to accept the crate. And also you may want to give him raw meaty bones to eat in there, not only his daily food.That will help to add to the GOOD association of the crate.

Also, ignore the pups protests if he has any, but I would try to not have them happen by using something like the raw meaty bones that he's DYING to get to being put in right in front of his nose so he can't wait to have you let him at it, then he forgets he's supposed to not like to go in there and you don't have to consider misbehaviour. Your goal should be to have him brainwashed into thinking that the crate is where the good stuff in his life occurs.....then you can take that and build on it outside the crate! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Good luck! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />