Are you marking the wanted behavior or just rewarding?

This too is crucial; marking lets the dog know exactly what earned that high-value treat.

Do you have a marker word (or a clicker)?

The part about leaving and coming home is almost a separate issue from the crate-resistance.

Here is how I have dealt with that in adopted dogs, including one who screamed (literally screamed; not barking or whining, but screaming) every time I left the house.

I left casually, no production at all, hovered outside, and came back before the screaming could start.

I did this for days, several times a day, starting to vary the length of time I was gone on day two.

I hovered outside and listened, and if screaming started, I waited for silence and then came in very quickly to mark and reward.

(I also said "No!" from an open window when he thought that I was gone and started screaming. That really surprised him into silence. I probably wouldn't do that part if I were faced with this again. This was a couple of years ago, and I have found since then how much I really like marking/rewarding wanted behavior more than correcting unwanted. I will correct when necessary, but eliciting the wanted behavior is a pleasure all around, and I put more thought into that nowadays.)

I did this combo of marking, varying lengths of time gone, and very casual leave-taking and return, for many days.

I am not saying that all this work will be necessary.

It sure was worth it, IMO.

Thanks so much, Connie. I really appreciate it!

I have been merely rewarding, not marking, but I just started marking with the word "yes" tonight and will continue with it (and also use some better treats).

I think that he wasn't too bad with the crate when I got him but that I made him *really* hate it by crating him only when I was leaving the house for about 3 months. So, now, he has the home-alone panic associated with the crate as well as actually being alone, and he feels nearly that badly even while I'm home.

I think I will continue the desensitization and brief departures bit, (like with you did with your dog, Connie) only with him in the crate instead of outside like I was trying before.

Thanks for turning me on to the marking practice - I think it will help. Tonight is night 4 of Chip in the crate... hope we can sleep a bit!

Keep us posted. This is a common problem, and it can feel hopeless.

The screamer was my worst case, though, and he's fine now.

And there are many marker-trainers here, so any questions -- speak up!

Just a quick update - Chip is no longer barking much in the crate and he will walk in if I stick his front half in there. I tried to use the word "good" as a marker, but I wasn't very consistent with it and I don't think he was understanding too well. We started with a clicker a couple days ago and I am amazed at how well it is working for both of us! I hadn't realized just how nervous a dog he is until I saw how much courage it took him to take even a baby step straight towards me on command. But once he got into it, he was wagging his tail and crawling towards me for his food. Thanks again! We'll keep working hard :-)

Wow, great work! Keep at it and he will only improve.

 Quote: Pamela Wilson

Unfortunately, I'm in an apartment so the noise is a problem both for me and my neighbors.

Hi, does anyone have any advice to this specific part of the ordeal? I didn't think this warranted a new thread, but it seems like this issue, of having a loud dog in a situation where noise IS a problem, might be very prevalent.

 Quote: John Vanek

 Quote: Pamela Wilson

Unfortunately, I'm in an apartment so the noise is a problem both for me and my neighbors.

Hi, does anyone have any advice to this specific part of the ordeal? I didn't think this warranted a new thread, but it seems like this issue, of having a loud dog in a situation where noise IS a problem, might be very prevalent.

I would make friends with the neighbors before ever considering a dog.

After the fact, I'd be very proactive about talking, apologizing, explaining that I was working on it, and so on.

I'd have the crate near an inside (that is, not a shared) wall.

I'd take special note of this:
I think that you will start to see improvement in a matter of days if you watch carefully for wanted behavior to mark. I'd use very high-value rewards, too. I'd probably cook up a chicken breast and dice it into M&M-size pieces.

You want to mark wanted (quiet) behavior at least as assiduously as you do not reward unwanted behavior (not giving the dog what s/he wants for whining, crying, etc.).

Do you know marker training?

Oh, I don't have a dog yet haha. Hopefully next year. Just trying to get my facts straight now

Thanks though! I will be living with very tolerant people, I just hate being a bother.