Question:I just got a golden retriever puppy and am having such a hard time with crate training him. I've introduced him to the crate. He isn't scared of it and explores it. I've put his toys in it. I've put treats in it to get him to go in. He'll go in but the second I'm about to shut the door on the crate he goes crazy. I feel so bad for him. The first night he was in the crate he literally barked and cried for 3 straight hours. I'm going crazy listening to it. I try putting him in it for a short time during the day and leave the room so he'll get used to it. I started with the crate in the living room and someone suggested putting it in the bedroom next tot hte bed so I can put my hand down to let him know I'm next to him. When I leave him alone I leave the tv on low so he doesn't feel alone. It's only been 3 days but last night I let him sleep with me because I couldn't take another night of endless barking. Is there anything more I can do to make this process a little easier?
Answers:
I would take up his water 2 hours before you want him to go to sleep. I would give him plenty of exercise during the day but not within 3-4 hours of his going to sleep.
I would also put the crate at the foot of the bed unless you want him watching you all night. He may need to go out once during the night still so when he's whining, it may be because he really needs to go. Another alternative (although I think this makes it harder to housebreak him) is to have a big enough crate so that he has puppy pads on one end and a bed on the other.
Since he's just a young one, I would put in at least one safe, stuffed toy in there instead of just having a flat dog bed. He's used to sleeping jumbled up with his siblings and he may feel vulnerable. If it's chilly, you can add a pet heating pad. This is better than a hot water bottle which gets cold.
Sometimes the old ticking alarm clock works as well although they really are noisy and may wake you up. He's made a big transition and is probably frightened and confused. It takes awhile but he'll get used to it.
I remember our Golden cried for a few days too, but it stopped after a week or so.
Why do you need to put your puppy in a crate at all? Buy him a dog bed and let him sleep in freedom! My golden retriever pup is sleeping right here and he's toilet trained to let us know when he wants to go out. Dogs weren't made to be caged.
Yeah we have a golden retriever too and we went through the same process! you should just try to keep him in the crate and and still interact with him, eventually he will stop barking and crying.
Enjoy
every time you let him out or cater to him, you are telling him exactly how to get out of his cage. Just like a baby crying...once he has gone potty or you've tried to get him to potty, then back in the crate and IGNORE him. It wont last more thana couple of days...raising a puppy isn't easy! It's annoying at first, but crate training is soemthing that will make your puppy saner and safer and a better pet and friend.
You are doing the puppy a disservice by letting him sleep with you...break the habit now.
I had the same problem with my pup I put her crate on a different floor and she would bark all night but i moved her crate into my room and she sleeps like a charm.
dont shut the door all the time unless your leaving, make the kennel a happy place that your dog likes, when its time for dinner put your dogs food bowl in there, if its a big kennel ( we gave our chocolate lab a great dane sized kennel ) you play with your dog in there, dont just put your dog in there for punishment or when your leaving
Id say you are back to step one, since you allowed him to sleep with u, rewarding his behavior. Now he will continue, because that is the desired result!
? for U.. if he can hold it and u aren't afraid of him doing his business in your bed.. Why would u lock him in the crate at night? Why not leave it open to allow him to go in "his den" to sleep. we've always left our crate doors open in the house. we only close the one they ride in when they are in the car. Have u consulted a training book?
It will take a while before he gets used to it. The thing to remember is to not give in to the crying or to yell at them for doing it. Eventually a lot of dogs realize that it is their place.
I feel your pain. It took almost a month before my husky mix quit crying when I put her in at night. Just be strong willed about it and in the end it will be for the better.
First I think you should to get a dog treat that can last for a few days,so that the treat can keep him occupied.Also you can try to see if he wants to outside.If that dosent work try putting a night light pluugged in beside him/her.
that is narmal.tha reason he is doin this is cause he is in a new home and he is not used to it so what u should do is to give him a little more attention and show him that its ok and that nothin is goin 2 happen to him.
Well your puppy got what it wanted to drive you insane enough for you to take it out.you cant lose to your pup ever put the pup in the cage when you leave that way you dont have to listen then when your puppy is in the cage you have to ignore him i know its hard but you have to you have to be in charge even though he is so tiny and cute because he is gonna be big and he will end up bein bad if you dont take charge now you can even try a squirt bottle with water in it and when he cries give him a nice shot with a firm enough this will not hurt him or make him upset with you the bottle will be the bad guy not you. also put his cage in the farthest part of the house not your room that is just torture for him. put a blanket over his cage and if you have a wire cage try a carrier they feel more secure in them ...good luck
Try getting him some really good treats like Jerky treats which are dried chicken and take awhile to eat. Put them in the crate and then say "kennel", when he goes in. Then close the door and leave the house for a few hours, or leave the room until he stops barking. Continue doing this for a few days.
We couldn't crate train our Golden - it was the only thing we couldn't teach him though. He potty trained in 2 days - sit, stay and all the basics.
So we gave up - in the winter he sometimes sleeps in the bed (and he is more than welcome - it gets darn cold in Cleveland and he is like a 100 pound heating pad). In the summer he sleeps next to the bed.
Unless he is chewing everything in sight and not yet house trained I wouldn't worry about the crate training - Goldens are "Velcro dogs" they don't want to be left by themselves.
try putting on some music low volume,
something to help comfort.
lay down on the floor with while he is in the crate& talk, hummm,?to help comfort.
takes patiance,patiance,
just a thought, I am a dog lover I own 4
It seems to me that she has a little separation anxiety. You have to remember she is use to having her litter mate around and she now feels very alone. A vet once told me to put an old blanket in for the sensation of being cuddled with and an old wind up clock beside the crate so the pup would hear the ticking (it simulates the mothers heart beat) . Dont give in or the crate will never work. And dont feel bad contrary to some beliefs this is the best thing you can do for your new pup. Puppies are curious by nature not unlike a small child. They will chew anything to cut their teeth and the last thing you want is for her to get into anything she shouldnt. besides she could get seriously hurt. Many things are poisonous to animals that we use and even eat every day . Dont take any chances . Hope this helps have fun with your new pup.
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