Whining/barking in crate We've had 3 month old Ozzy for about 1 week. He's fantastic, but my only issue is with whining/barking when he's in his crate. He doesn't do this all the time. Sometimes he just settles down and we don't hear a peep. Other times he whines and barks in a really high pitch non-stop. We've tried ignoring it, and tried being assertive and saying "no barking". We don't crate him at night - he sleeps with us in bed. He'll do this when we crate him during the day when we're home and can't watch him like a hawk (so we're still around, making noise, talking, etc), or when we crate him to leave the house (we can hear him from outside). Is it possible that ignoring it for long enough will make it stop, or should we try something more drastic, like squirting him with water? |
Alrighty... maybe the Dog Whisperer has some advice....... |
Sorry noone replied sooner - I think ppl were at 4th events. :( I think your little one has recently left his litter mates and is insecure. He is not sure you are going to come back for him, so he's reminding you. I use a play pen type enclosure and put bed, dishes, and wee pad when pups were young and I could not watch them. My first yorkie, I did crate when I went away until she was 2 and trustworthy. You might want to try a play pen when you are home moving around and just can't be right there to watch. That might cut down on the barking/whining then. I also used a stuffed toy about the same size as the pup as a pseudo-littermate. They do sell "snuggle pups" (on Amazon) that are a stuffed toy w a heartbeat to simulate littermate. Wish you luck. Believe it or not, this time will fly past and you will miss his babytime. |
I also use the stuffed toy with my pups at that age. It works better thou if you have the litter mates or mothers scent on it. It's very normal for puppies to do this... it just takes some time getting use to being in their cage. Mine were the same way and now they go in the cage on their own or when I ask them to go to the cage. I would suggest putting the cage in a common area of the house where someone is alway present. When he in down time/in his cage put a light weight blanket over the top to calm him. Make sure he has toys and maybe a chew to get him occupied. But NEVER take him out of the cage when he is whining/barking ! Only when he is calm. Give him plenty of good reinforcements when he is quiet and doing well. You could also try giving him very small treats a few times a day when he is dong well as part of the praise. Ignoring the whining/barking is best. If you do feel the need to correct him make it simple (His Name &... NO...) |
Thanks! I do make sure he has lots to chew on in the crate, and it's in the living room, or I will move it to whatever room we're in. I also make sure that if I want to take him out and he's whining, I sit on the couch beside the crate and don't make eye contact or speak until he stops. Once he does stop I take him out. Also, when I put him in I give him treats and there's a place you can open the top and pet him, which I do. I also try to make him go for a good walk/run and have some play time before he goes in. I will definitely look up the fake litter mate. I think the problem is that when we first brought him home we tried putting him in a bathroom overnight, on a floor all by himself, in a room that was pitch black. In retrospect, this was a bad way to start off "alone time". Now I think he's getting some separation anxiety. Today I tried putting one of my shirts in his crate. We'll see how that goes. I also might try a kong, where he has to try to get something inside it. Maybe that will keep him busy and distracted until he goes to sleep. |
SnugglePuppies is no longer in business :( but I'll check with the local boutique store tonight and see if they have something similar. |
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Update... I got a couple of small Kongs, which I put all natural PB and treats into, then put in his crate to entice him in. I leave him with a few things to chew as well. He's calmed down a lot. He seems to bark and whine for about 5 or 10 minutes, but then he calms right down and is quiet. I find that he doesn't really do anything once he's in his crate - just lays there, but the treats get him to go in there on his own and I'm hoping that over time he'll relax more and chew on his toys if he feels like it. Thanks to those who gave advice. |
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