Hey all,
I know there are a lot of posts about crate training - I would appreciate some info / reassurance. Our pup is 11 weeks today. Great little man. From day 1 (7 1/2 weeks) we have had him in a crate. I certainly have no issues like Christian (sorry bud - I feel for you) but a couple of questions. Gus will go inot his crate willingly, or with the command "chateau", and he gets a few treats. Sleeps through the night (midnight to 7:00am) no problem. I do not think he has any negative feelings about the crate. However, no matter how exhausted he is, once he goes into the crate, he hollers once we leave. Not for too long, but this is a recurring theme for four weeks. He eventually (sometimes 2 minutes, sometimes 15) settles down and sleeps. I have tried kongs w/peanut butter, treats, etc., and whatever he is interested in, once I leave the room he drops whatever he is into and cries. I have tried leaving the room immediately, waiting 5 -10 minutes. Under no circumstances does his hollering get a response. We do not shout, wheedle, comfort, or ever let him out while he is making noise, just ignore. Also, when we go back into the room he is in (the office) to do some work, he will cry and whine for a while wanting to get out. When ignored for 5 -10 minutes, he sttles down again. When he is quiet, we praise him while he is in the crate. My question - will the dog ever get to the point that he recognizes that the crate means quiet and be chill about us walking off or working in the room while he is in there? I know that it has only been 4 weeks, but does this behavior ever stop? What is your experience?

Thanks,
Jeff

I'll take your problems any day! I dream of my pup being that good in his crate.

Wanna trade puppies? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My guy is 14wks and we let him out of his crate every 4 hours. Yours is only 11wks and he sleeps 7 hours straight? Maybe I should slowly increase my puppies time in the crate?

Did you increase the time slowly...or just give 7 hours a try one night?


Christian

Christian,
Day 1 and 2 I had him out at midnight and again at 0400, then just increased the time by 30 minutes or so a day. He still goes out for the last time at midnight, and I am up at 7:00 to 7:30 to let him out and get breakfast. I did follow Ed Frawley's advice - his last food is at around 1800 and his water goes up after evening walk and drink around 1930. From 1930 - midnight he'll go out 2 or 3 times to pee and have play and training sessions, but I keep the activity low key so he doesn't need more water. I have nothing to complain about!! His issues are about being around us, not the crate per se. I am just wondering whether this ever goes away. And no, I do not want to trade <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> .

Jeff,

If you figure this out let me know...I'm now in the same boat. My pup is finally accepting his new crate, and will sleep almost through the night with us if he's in our room. He'll even be fine if he's crated in the room, and we're awake, as long as we're in the room.

Once we leave the house, or even the room...the screaming starts....and continues for at least 30 minutes. Sometimes more.

Let me know what eventually works for you...I'll do the same.

Christian