Crate training puppy
Discussion
Evening all
A bit of advice if you will please. We picked up our boy Rudy on Thursday, so had him 2 nights. He’s an 8 week old whippet.
First night, we tried to wear him out a bit, and he went down fairly well, about 30mins or whining, from about 10:30 to 11, and then a bit more barking/howling at 2 and 3am, and through til 6.
Second night, Was rough. He was bowing for about 2 hours from 11 til 1, I went down, didn’t acknowledge him, but plugged Alexa in, and out classic fm on, and then he settled a bit, but started howling again about 2-2:30.
Last night, we tried to sit with him til we thought he was asleep. But within 5mins he was howling and barking again, from 11 til about 1:30. Last night we tried leaving him with the radio on all night, and tried leaving the hall light on, which didn’t seem to help. I went down to let him out for a wee, but he didn’t go. Again, I didn’t speak and we didn’t play, I just put him out for a wee and then straight back in the crate.
I must point out, the crate is plenty big enough for him, he has 2 soft blankets, a kong with treats in, and another toy, and a hot water bottle with warm water in. We put a clock on top of the cage too. The windows are closed. We’ve also been feeding him all his meals in the crate with the door open, and quite often, when we let him out to pee in the day, we pop a tiny treat in the crate to allow him to associate good vibes with the crate. We also drape a blanket over the crate, but leave the front open.
What shall we do tonight? Persevere, or move him upstairs with us? He seems to go into meltdown when the crate is closed, as we’ve got him to sleep in it a few times during the day, just to try and get him used to it.
Any help or advise would be welcomed please. The internet seems to offer plenty of advice, but much is contradictory.
Here is the little hooligan in question.
A bit of advice if you will please. We picked up our boy Rudy on Thursday, so had him 2 nights. He’s an 8 week old whippet.
First night, we tried to wear him out a bit, and he went down fairly well, about 30mins or whining, from about 10:30 to 11, and then a bit more barking/howling at 2 and 3am, and through til 6.
Second night, Was rough. He was bowing for about 2 hours from 11 til 1, I went down, didn’t acknowledge him, but plugged Alexa in, and out classic fm on, and then he settled a bit, but started howling again about 2-2:30.
Last night, we tried to sit with him til we thought he was asleep. But within 5mins he was howling and barking again, from 11 til about 1:30. Last night we tried leaving him with the radio on all night, and tried leaving the hall light on, which didn’t seem to help. I went down to let him out for a wee, but he didn’t go. Again, I didn’t speak and we didn’t play, I just put him out for a wee and then straight back in the crate.
I must point out, the crate is plenty big enough for him, he has 2 soft blankets, a kong with treats in, and another toy, and a hot water bottle with warm water in. We put a clock on top of the cage too. The windows are closed. We’ve also been feeding him all his meals in the crate with the door open, and quite often, when we let him out to pee in the day, we pop a tiny treat in the crate to allow him to associate good vibes with the crate. We also drape a blanket over the crate, but leave the front open.
What shall we do tonight? Persevere, or move him upstairs with us? He seems to go into meltdown when the crate is closed, as we’ve got him to sleep in it a few times during the day, just to try and get him used to it.
Any help or advise would be welcomed please. The internet seems to offer plenty of advice, but much is contradictory.
Here is the little hooligan in question.
Update. Early update.
We put the crate upstairs in our room. And it seemed to work. I made sure he was really tired before going to bed, we had a good play before bed, and although he woke a couple of times throughout the night, there was minimal noise, especially compared to the first 3 nights. so happy this morning, we go again today. Lol
We put the crate upstairs in our room. And it seemed to work. I made sure he was really tired before going to bed, we had a good play before bed, and although he woke a couple of times throughout the night, there was minimal noise, especially compared to the first 3 nights. so happy this morning, we go again today. Lol
We recently got a Vizsla puppy at 8 weeks ( now 15.) The first night he howled all night downstairs in a crate so we brought the crate up to our room for a 4/5 nights. He woke us for a pee at 12 and four then up with us at six but was quiet other than that. We then put him back downstairs and apart from the odd whine he's fine down there now. He's pretty much sleeping through now too. It will get easier!
When we got our pup, Samson, at 8 weeks we had loads of advice from family, friends and the breeder. Most said, "no matter how much noise he makes, ignore it!"
Well that didn't happen, within minutes of leaving him on the first night, I've never heard such awful noises!! My heart gave in after about 20 minutes...
So instead MrsPJ and I took turns to sleep next to his create, after about a week I moved off the floor by his create to the sofa. Then a few days later I snuck upstairs just after his 2am wee break. (Yes we use to take him out at 2am for a wee break for the first couple of months, but we also only had two accidents!)
Did the same for the next couple of nights, but after that went to bed normally and he chilled out! So for a fortnight of slightly disturbed sleep, we had a happy crate trained pup!
Some people did suggest putting his crate by our bed, but I think we'd have had the same trouble again when we eventually did move it back downstairs.
Well that didn't happen, within minutes of leaving him on the first night, I've never heard such awful noises!! My heart gave in after about 20 minutes...
So instead MrsPJ and I took turns to sleep next to his create, after about a week I moved off the floor by his create to the sofa. Then a few days later I snuck upstairs just after his 2am wee break. (Yes we use to take him out at 2am for a wee break for the first couple of months, but we also only had two accidents!)
Did the same for the next couple of nights, but after that went to bed normally and he chilled out! So for a fortnight of slightly disturbed sleep, we had a happy crate trained pup!
Some people did suggest putting his crate by our bed, but I think we'd have had the same trouble again when we eventually did move it back downstairs.
Thanks for the reply. Wow, like I’ve read stories of this sort of thing. Good to hear it worked for you, short term pain for long term gain.
It’s tricky to know what to do for the best, we’ll have him upstairs with us again tonight. He’s still very young. Some say not to do that, some say you shouldnt leave them on their own. We’ve tried a few different things, I hope we’ve found something that works for us.
Side issue, my missus said she was feeling a it overwhelmed by it all. I’m sure many of you will now be rolling your eyes. But she just means it’s a big transformation. All you ever see on social, are nice pictures of obedient dogs, playing and being what you’d hope them to be. I’ve told her we’ll get that soon. It just takes time. It’s just you rarely see a Facebook post saying ‘my dog is a pain in the ass.’ She follows a lot of Instagram accounts, which probably doesn’t help. She gets a bit anxious when we want to do something that doesn’t involve him, like eating our tea is stressful, cause we know he could crash into something, or be tearing about. It is hard, but we know it’ll get better. Think she’s got the puppy blues. He just needs so much attention. He’s totally worth it though.
It’s tricky to know what to do for the best, we’ll have him upstairs with us again tonight. He’s still very young. Some say not to do that, some say you shouldnt leave them on their own. We’ve tried a few different things, I hope we’ve found something that works for us.
Side issue, my missus said she was feeling a it overwhelmed by it all. I’m sure many of you will now be rolling your eyes. But she just means it’s a big transformation. All you ever see on social, are nice pictures of obedient dogs, playing and being what you’d hope them to be. I’ve told her we’ll get that soon. It just takes time. It’s just you rarely see a Facebook post saying ‘my dog is a pain in the ass.’ She follows a lot of Instagram accounts, which probably doesn’t help. She gets a bit anxious when we want to do something that doesn’t involve him, like eating our tea is stressful, cause we know he could crash into something, or be tearing about. It is hard, but we know it’ll get better. Think she’s got the puppy blues. He just needs so much attention. He’s totally worth it though.
It is hard. I've never had a proper 'baby' puppy, the youngest I've had was 5 months, the next youngest were Sam and Jet at 8 months.
When we got Sam and Jet we wanted youngsters, because we'd lost 3 dogs in the space of 18 months and we still had another oldie who we knew wouldn't be around much longer. I'd owned a number of dogs previously.
Even so, I had not appreciated how much hard work Sam and Jet would be. I was in tears numerous times because I found them so hard to cope with, compared to the easy oldies I had been used to. They were not unusually naughty or hyper, they were just being puppies. I guess having two litter mates did mean 'double trouble' though
At least they kept each other occupied most of the time.
I don't know how COVID-19 is affecting puppy training class activity - I presume it's been suspended up to now, but don't know whether that's going to change. Might be worth exploring? It would at least offer the opportunity to share sob-stories with other new owners, so that you know it's not just you. But be assured, it's not just you. Puppies are hard work. They are worth it in the end though - just don't ask me how long it was before Sam and Jet calmed down
When we got Sam and Jet we wanted youngsters, because we'd lost 3 dogs in the space of 18 months and we still had another oldie who we knew wouldn't be around much longer. I'd owned a number of dogs previously.
Even so, I had not appreciated how much hard work Sam and Jet would be. I was in tears numerous times because I found them so hard to cope with, compared to the easy oldies I had been used to. They were not unusually naughty or hyper, they were just being puppies. I guess having two litter mates did mean 'double trouble' though
At least they kept each other occupied most of the time.I don't know how COVID-19 is affecting puppy training class activity - I presume it's been suspended up to now, but don't know whether that's going to change. Might be worth exploring? It would at least offer the opportunity to share sob-stories with other new owners, so that you know it's not just you. But be assured, it's not just you. Puppies are hard work. They are worth it in the end though - just don't ask me how long it was before Sam and Jet calmed down
We are cold hearted, Daphne our latest (now 3 years old) was crate trained, she was locked in there from day 1 at night from 8 or so weeks old, we (me!) got up every couple of hours to let her out for wee's etc.
Yes she howled and whimpered but in less than a week she stopped.
Much like children, they aren't stupid and they play on their "mum and dad", giving in, going down to check, sleeping near them etc; be tough initially and it will be easier in the long run.
Yes she howled and whimpered but in less than a week she stopped.
Much like children, they aren't stupid and they play on their "mum and dad", giving in, going down to check, sleeping near them etc; be tough initially and it will be easier in the long run.
Thanks for replying. Sounds exactly like what we’re experiencing. Social media makes out that everything is easy. But it’s certainly not. We’re only on day 5, I know it’ll get better, and We’re staying positive. We had tears at 2am Saturday night. And we don’t resent the dog, it’s what it is. We won’t give up on him.
Night number 5. Again, we had him in his crate, in our bedroom, he was shattered at bedtime, and went through from 10, until 5am. So 7 hours, we thought was pretty good. He done a massive pee when we got him up and put him outside, so we know he needed to go, bless him. I think we will continue to have him in our room for the next week or two. Mrs feels a lot happier this morning, and hopefully some of her anxiety will ease now we’ve had 2 better nights. Tomorrow, we plan to take him to the toilet early morning, when he’s acting like he needs to, and then see if he’ll go back to sleep. Fingers crossed
Just catching up on this.
We have also never had a puppy, but rescued two dogs, the most recent of which was as street dog (stray) around 1 year old, so we thought we we would get a crate incase it was helpful and or chewing was a major issue, as while we are quite relaxed we also have a lot of original edwardian woodwork including polished mahogany doors and newel posts!
Anyway, I think you have done the right thing in moving the crate upstairs. I know some people leave their child to 'cry it out' and 'self soothe' but while you have to do something which works for you everything I know and have heard including from my partner who os a psychiatrist is that this is completely wrong and leaving children/babies/puppys to self soothe can be significantly damaging and does no good at all.
If having the crate upstairs as sorted it, your lucky, and sorted. With time you should be able to move it progressively further away.
Our 1yo was very happy in the crate, with us there, fed him, treats in the crate, water in the crate, sorted, till we shut the door. Then all hell broke loose, open door, calm puppy, door shut, not happy puppy! So we ditched that idea there and then and he hasn't been in the crate since other than for a drink. Fortunately he has not chewed the house at all, and after a new nights of sitting with him till we got calm (always became anxious just as we were turning in, trying to dig a den or get outside) within the week he was going to bed normally with our other dog. Occasionally he spends half the night on the half landing 2/3 way up the stairs, as does our older dog, which we gentle discourage but also turn a blind eye to.
Looks lovely by the way! Our older dog is a greyhound collie lurcher.
Daniel
We have also never had a puppy, but rescued two dogs, the most recent of which was as street dog (stray) around 1 year old, so we thought we we would get a crate incase it was helpful and or chewing was a major issue, as while we are quite relaxed we also have a lot of original edwardian woodwork including polished mahogany doors and newel posts!
Anyway, I think you have done the right thing in moving the crate upstairs. I know some people leave their child to 'cry it out' and 'self soothe' but while you have to do something which works for you everything I know and have heard including from my partner who os a psychiatrist is that this is completely wrong and leaving children/babies/puppys to self soothe can be significantly damaging and does no good at all.
If having the crate upstairs as sorted it, your lucky, and sorted. With time you should be able to move it progressively further away.
Our 1yo was very happy in the crate, with us there, fed him, treats in the crate, water in the crate, sorted, till we shut the door. Then all hell broke loose, open door, calm puppy, door shut, not happy puppy! So we ditched that idea there and then and he hasn't been in the crate since other than for a drink. Fortunately he has not chewed the house at all, and after a new nights of sitting with him till we got calm (always became anxious just as we were turning in, trying to dig a den or get outside) within the week he was going to bed normally with our other dog. Occasionally he spends half the night on the half landing 2/3 way up the stairs, as does our older dog, which we gentle discourage but also turn a blind eye to.
Looks lovely by the way! Our older dog is a greyhound collie lurcher.
Daniel
Just out of interest why do people put young dogs in crates when bringing them up?
The rules for a crate seem more for the human that what the dog actually needs.
Just sayin ....
We did two dogs in crates and to be honest it is the easy way out for the humans just reducing their nefarious activities in the short run
The rules for a crate seem more for the human that what the dog actually needs.
Just sayin ....
We did two dogs in crates and to be honest it is the easy way out for the humans just reducing their nefarious activities in the short run
andyjo1982 said:
Thanks for replying. Sounds exactly like what we’re experiencing. Social media makes out that everything is easy. But it’s certainly not. We’re only on day 5, I know it’ll get better, and We’re staying positive. We had tears at 2am Saturday night. And we don’t resent the dog, it’s what it is. We won’t give up on him.
Good,Get rid of the crate.
4 very short walks per day. Power naps inbetween, some play before sun sets.
Will just lie on some blanket that smells.
Up at 6am !
Repeat.
After initially settling through the night upstairs, slowly move the cage to outside your bedroom and then the move downstairs. You don't say if you let him out last thing before bed only that you try to wear him out. If you can encourage a wee last thing, going through the night will be easier and won't necessarily need attention early.
It's all part of the fun and integration into his new family. At least your past the stage of getting a wet foot or stepping in little presents left on the floor !!!
It's all part of the fun and integration into his new family. At least your past the stage of getting a wet foot or stepping in little presents left on the floor !!!
Gandahar said:
Just out of interest why do people put young dogs in crates when bringing them up?
The rules for a crate seem more for the human that what the dog actually needs.
It is mainly for the humans I expect!The rules for a crate seem more for the human that what the dog actually needs.
However I have also heard it is good for households where there are younger children, as it gives the dog a known safe space it can escape too.
Obviously even that is a mini cop-out for parents ensuring the children respect the dog!
But like our crate being incase he goes mental for chewing the doors and skirtings, and some people using the self-soothing route, there becomes a point for all where your sanity is required for the dog/child's life too.
Daniel
dhutch said:
Gandahar said:
Just out of interest why do people put young dogs in crates when bringing them up?
The rules for a crate seem more for the human that what the dog actually needs.
It is mainly for the humans I expect!The rules for a crate seem more for the human that what the dog actually needs.
However I have also heard it is good for households where there are younger children, as it gives the dog a known safe space it can escape too.
Obviously even that is a mini cop-out for parents ensuring the children respect the dog!
But like our crate being incase he goes mental for chewing the doors and skirtings, and some people using the self-soothing route, there becomes a point for all where your sanity is required for the dog/child's life too.
Daniel
Never over use one though. It's a short term thing.
And never someone where to go as a punishment.
Agree, although oddly now the only time he goes in his crate is if he is told off. Usually for stealing food from the worktop!
Five minutes later we make friends with him again and he comes out. It's only still up as we haven't take it down. Due on eBay shortly. Anyone want a nearly usused 42" XL EliieBo crate?
Five minutes later we make friends with him again and he comes out. It's only still up as we haven't take it down. Due on eBay shortly. Anyone want a nearly usused 42" XL EliieBo crate?
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