what I do with noisy pups or dogs in the crate, is A) make sure they REALLY don't need to go out - such as if they have loose stool, then they might be making noise because they REALLY need to go out! But, I can usually tell the difference between "nuisance barking" and "needful barking". For "nuisance barking", an attached garage is a wonderful thing - put the crate out there. Then, they can bark all the want and you can't hear them very well - but well enough that if the barking changes to a "I really need to go to the bathroom" bark, then you can respond. Covering up the crate with a light blanket often helps - lets the dogs know it's bedtime now, dark and there's nothing to see or do. Give him a chew bone or rawhide that he can work on if he's not in the mood for sleeping. Crate-time is no-attention time, and he just needs to learn that. Only let him out when he's quiet, unless of course he's making noise because he really is desperate to go out. Rewarding quiet by letting him out and "punishing" nuisance noise by covering him up and leaving, he will eventually get the picture. Good luck!

Eric,
Because you have chosen to change your behavior...the little princess will change hers.
Great success to you both.
Jasmine

I have a 7month old american cocker and she is now finally understanding that the crate at night means sleep and not time to bark. I have to agree with everyone above, you need to try to ignore the barking, make as little movement as possible when she barks (otherwise she will see you and associate barking with movement) also try not to talk at night to her, ignore her totally, your dog will soon learn the routine, think about it, your dog probably barked at the beginning when you crated her at home... no one was there to hear her and react... end result, I bet if you were able to sneak up on her during the day you would see that she is a quiet dog... she realized that barking gets her nowhere...

trust me it took 3.5months for my dog to understand this, that's 3.5months of sleepless in Montreal... but all worth it! good practice for when my wife and I have kids <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
hang in there!!! Please give the dog a second chance <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My 10mos GS/Malamute still hates his crate. He goes in without much protest, providing there is a toy or treat waiting for him, but he will pitch a fit once left in there. He's not much of a barker (he makes really weird alien noises...he sounds like a pervert most of the time), but instead digs at the bottom of the crate and thumps around. He can keep it up for up to 2 hours. The crate is plently large enough for him, he has toys, bed, etc. He just wants out. We've found it is worse if the washer or dryer is running. We've been doing the ignore routine and sometimes scolding. He just keeps on digging to China and now he has a rub on his nose. Anyone ever have it go on this long?

I have a Dobermann puppy, male, intact...with (due to my negligence - and I know better!) serious crate issues.
He's 6.5 months old now and I've decided I must teach him to 'kennel up' and like it..NOW!

Here is what I'm doing...
I have a 5' high steel exercise pen with an old area rug underneath it in a corner of my living room. He has his kongs and 1 bone in there..but, they MUST stay in there always. The door stays open and he can come and go in there to play as he pleases, but, if he tries to bring a toy out I squirt him with my water pistol and tell him NO. then put the toy back in.
He is fed his meals in the Xpen ALWAYS.
This is the method I use for feeding... me "Dillinger, Kennel" puppy hops in Xpen and sits down like a pro!
Me "Wait" puppy sits and waits
I deliver the dinner and release "OK" he can now eat IN his pen.
When I go out during the daytime, he gets "Kennel" and locked in. First couple days he sang like Little Richard on crack for hours!!! Sorry to my neighbors (I live in a townhouse)
But, eventually gave it up.
Now here's the most important part (I think)
when I do come home, I do NOT look at him no matter what! I will occasionally hold up my hand to 'silence' him, but, will not interact with him in anyway until he sits quietly. Then I will have him "Wait" till I open the crate door, he is not allowed to move until I release with "OK"...If he does, I SLAM the kennel door shut and walk out, saying NOTHING! When he sits again, I'll return. When he is released, he goes outdoors to pee, upon coming in we do some quick obedience drills with food reward and that's it. Life carrys on. The going IN the crate is always food rewarded, I toss a few in when he hops in. The coming out is NEVER rewarded in anyway. It must be no more fun coming out, then staying in.
This has been working really well. I can now put him in the kennel when company comes over and he settles right down for a little 'quiet time' ....
Admittedly, I have not graduated him to nighttime sleeping in there....I made the mistake (according to some) to let him sleep with me.
At this point in time, we have had no problems with this arrangement. No dominance issues at all (I work on leadership ALOT) and he's quiet and settles down nicely to sleep. I always make sure he's had a busy evening and relieved himself outdoors prior to bedtime. I also use the cue "bedtime" when I go around doing my 'lights out, lock down' routine. He now knows that means settle down and sleep now.
Hope some of this helps you...feel free to ask me to clarify anything, I know my literary skills need improvment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

P.S. I think the pup in the original thread was suffering from Seperation Anxiety and being rewarded everytime her whining/barking got her attention....gotta always remember that even negative attention is good for a dog that is anxious about being seperated from it's primary. I personally would use a squirt bottle on her when she barks/whines, with no verbal at all.
I gotta say it, anyone who tells you to 'sneak up' on your dog to bang on the crate is nuts!! LMAO my dogs know the sound of my car coming up the road! Never mind get near their bed without them knowing it!! What self respecting protection animal would let someone sneak up on them anyway???