I just want to be very careful about pointing out to the O.P. that the whole discussion of dogs still screaming when crated at 18 months doesn't really even belong in the thread. That's so unlikely to be the outcome that I need to reinforce what was already said: This is a very rare situation. I'd say: Put it out of your mind.

 Quote: connie

I just want to be very careful about pointing out to the O.P. that the whole discussion of dogs still screaming when crated at 18 months doesn't really even belong in the thread. That's so unlikely to be the outcome that I need to reinforce what was already said: This is a very rare situation. Put it out of your mind.

From the horse's mouth: total joke. Like I said, I am tired and just wanted to rain on someone's parade...just having a little fun! He doesn't really scream all night every night. He would never have made it to 18mos! ;-) Like I said, no wavering, stick to your guns, don't take "easy" shortcuts, and soon you'll forget about these sleepless nights.

 Quote: Tommy DeVito

Ed teaches (according to what I've read and watched) to act aloof and only let them out to potty in the beginning. When they are quiet in the crate they can be let out for a walk, etc. But he specifically said IIRC (Pack DVD) that no playing or fun until the rules are established. I'm doing that now, but perhaps, due to the pups young age, I need to let her play for a while at night and do some interaction.

Tommy, there are some portions of that DVD that are intended for establishing pack structure with adult dogs. You definately want to be interacting with your puppy and exposing him to a variety of things when you can. If you keep the pup crated all the time, how will he learn?

You may want to consider tethering him to you when you are at home. I regret not doing this when my pup was little; there are many benefits to tethering. You are teaching your pup that you control his activity, you are preventing him from getting into trouble, and it helps with potty training (no accidental piddling when you aren't looking).

Good luck!

 Quote: tommy devito

Ed teaches (according to what I've read and watched) to act aloof and only let them out to potty in the beginning. When they are quiet in the crate they can be let out for a walk, etc. But he specifically said IIRC (Pack DVD) that no playing or fun until the rules are established. I'm doing that now, but perhaps, due to the pups young age, I need to let her play for a while at night and do some interaction.

This advice is for ADULT dogs. You read the pack structure for ADULT dogs article and the pack structure for ADULT dogs DVD. There is a totally different pack structure article for puppies. Ed's advice is true and really works for ADULT dogs, but for baby infant puppies acting aloof and only letting them out to potty would do more harm than good IMO. Ed sells a good puppy video "Your puppy 8 weeks to 8 months" and has a puppy groundwork article also.

 Quote: tommy devito

I did walk her last night, and let her play for a good while before that so I'm not just shoving her in the crate. When she learns to quit howling and moaning, I'll take her out for walks and play.

Good! that's good. You've got the idea. Puppies need boundaries, interaction and socializing if they are ever going to learn to live in our alien world. If you are going to get another Leerburg video I definitely think it should be "Your Puppy". (With one caveat - Ed recommends using a flexi lead on puppies but a long line might be better - he wouldn't always have pressure on his neck that way and thereby get used to pulling).

Just as if you'd added a baby human to your family, be prepared to lose a LOT of sleep the first couple weeks. (Of course with humans it's more than a couple weeks... as the one poster mentioned.. LOL) - As long as you accept this fact, it gets a lot easier. (Oh, and for certain puppies, boxes of Band-Aids are good too

Edit: oops, Lynne and I had the same train of thought....

Edited by Angela Burrell (12/16/2008 01:53 PM)
Edit reason: great minds think alike

 Quote: Angela Burrell

(Oh, and for certain puppies, boxes of Band-Aids are good too

Just the good ones.

And here's an article to look at:

http://leerburg.com/puppygroundwork.htm

Tommy,
If your pup is spilling his food in the crate, invest in a flat sided pail. This is probably the best piece of dog kit I have.

When I brought my pup home at 8 weeks, he did the exact same thing. The instant my wife heard my pup start to scream she looked like she was going to cry. I just told her "Ignore him." That's really all you can do. I personally don't use a radio, I try to create a peaceful, quiet environment and cover the crate with a sheet. He will accept the crate eventually. It took my pup a couple of weeks before he no longer screamed at all.

Also, I'll reinforce what some others have said - you need to take your pup out at least every 2 hours at this point. I would add about 30 minutes between pee breaks each week. Your pup should be able to hold his pee for 8 hours at 16 weeks of age. Remember, if he soils the crate, it's YOUR fault, not the pup's. Dogs pee/poo after sleeping, eating, and exercising. Everytime my pup made a mistake it just made me groan because it was so obvious of the mistake I had made by not realizing it was my failure to take him out. Remember to say "good outside" (if you're following Ed's program) and it wouldn't hurt to mark and reward after the pup has done his business.

Keep up the good work!