Crating Our Teddy

[Bumblebee]

Hello,

I'm new to the YT forum and wanted to say firstly I've found the site extremely informative regarding Yorkies.

I recently brought home my first little Yorkie boy, his name is Teddy and he's 11 weeks old. Just had his first vaccination and was weighed in at 2lbs. He's a gorgeous little ball of mischief.

So far his housetraining has been brilliant. We've only had him 4 days but he already understands the phrase "be clean". I've bathed him today and he let me dry him with the hair dryer. There were a few wriggles but overall he was a very good boy.

The only issue we're having is with crating. Teddy is happy to rest in there after play and I carry him in half asleep. He'll wake up and is calm and I let him out. However if I put him in there wide awake - say if I need to do housework or take a shower he'll cry and whine. He eats in the crate and I've bought him some Kongs purely to play with in the crate and occupy him which he likes but does not like going in the crate when wide awake however due to his size it is actually safer for him to be in there. Also when I go back to work I will need to place him in his crate and I'll be coming back on lunchbreaks to feed and play.

He does cry at night too however we know we need to persevere. I love dogs so much and adore my little Teddy but I don't want him sleeping on my bed (personal preference). I want Teddy to have his own space and vice versa.

Can anyone give any tips or advice? I appreciate it's early days so am not expecting miracles.

Thank you!

:-)

[MY OSCAR]

personally i think teddy would do better if you used an x-pen during the day for his naps and when you need to do housework or something. just put his bed and toys in there with his food and water dish. if he uses potty pads line one side with potty pads.
only use the crate at bedtime. put the crate on the floor next to your bed cover the top and sides with a towel to make him feel more secure. he will come to love it . it make take a few nights of crying but he will get used to it....
he will feel safe and secure

[Bumblebee]

Thank you!

I have set up a pen for him with all necessary items - bed with toys and item of my clothing, water/food and newspaper for doing the business however he still screams when I place him in there when he's awake. He'll actively go in there to eat and drink - he knows the food and water is there - and he will go in to grab toys. He likes to fall asleep on my lap after play and I will then place him in the pen half asleep - this is when he's ok.

When he cries I tell my boyfriend and his son to not make a fuss and if I need to pop out I don't make a big deal of it I just say "see you soon Teddy". I've taken 2 weeks off work to settle him and I'm worried I'm going to mentally scar him by ignoring his wails?!! Plus also worried he will never get used to having some alone time! It feels like ages since I've handled a puppy - used to have dogs when I lived with my parents - I'm scared I'm doing a bad job. Teddy is a curious and headstrong puppy. I don't want to turn him in to a brat but same time I don't want to be too harsh. We've had him now 6 days - am I expecting too much from the little lad?

The breeder said to not be afraid of popping out if I need to - yet when I do it's been for a maximum of 2 hours (I've been building time up) and I can hear Teddy's screams from outside my house? It makes me feel bad!!!

[MY OSCAR]

Originally Posted by Bumblebee

Thank you!

I have set up a pen for him with all necessary items - bed with toys and item of my clothing, water/food and newspaper for doing the business however he still screams when I place him in there when he's awake. He'll actively go in there to eat and drink - he knows the food and water is there - and he will go in to grab toys. He likes to fall asleep on my lap after play and I will then place him in the pen half asleep - this is when he's ok.

When he cries I tell my boyfriend and his son to not make a fuss and if I need to pop out I don't make a big deal of it I just say "see you soon Teddy". I've taken 2 weeks off work to settle him and I'm worried I'm going to mentally scar him by ignoring his wails?!! Plus also worried he will never get used to having some alone time! It feels like ages since I've handled a puppy - used to have dogs when I lived with my parents - I'm scared I'm doing a bad job. Teddy is a curious and headstrong puppy. I don't want to turn him in to a brat but same time I don't want to be too harsh. We've had him now 6 days - am I expecting too much from the little lad?

The breeder said to not be afraid of popping out if I need to - yet when I do it's been for a maximum of 2 hours (I've been building time up) and I can hear Teddy's screams from outside my house? It makes me feel bad!!!

hi, i know it is hard to listen to them cry . try practicing putting him in and out of pen while you are in the room. put him in the pen and as soon as he is quiet say good boy and give him a treat. just keep doing this after awhile he will associate the pen with a good place to be..
it is good that he goes in and out of the pen on his own though.
that shows that he feels comfortable in there.
he just needs some practice to stay in there alond and yes it will take some time...

you are right about popping in and out of the house and not making a fuss. you can even practice this . put him in his pen and walk to another room. as soon as he is quiet , return and tell him good boy and give him a treat. he will get used to it . just takes time..

you are not doing anything wrong. it is good for teddy to learn to be on his own for short periods. it will be less stressful him for when you need to leave and cant take him with you...
you are doing a good job

just keep practicing and he will get it.
it may take a couple months though ...
instead of leaving the house for your practice sessions just leave the room for a few seconds and only return when he is quiet then just say good boy and give a treat.
do this several times a day and hopefully he will catch on quickly..

[Harrysmum]

Hello and welcome to you and Teddy from a fellow UK-er!!!

MY OSCAR gave very good advice...she always does!

Horrible isn't it, hearing the Littlie's awful, heart-breaking (loud!!) wails. But it is a period of time that will pass....slowly and gradually! You're not doing anything wrong, it's just that YOU know what's happening in their little lives, but HE doesn't, and must wonder what on earth's happening!

Good luck, and enjoy your little boy! Sally + Harry x

[107barney]

Hi and welcome. I also use the "Be Clean" command. It's so polite, isn't it?

As for crating, I use the "Kennel Up" command. I have dogs running into crates when I give the command because from the time they were little babies, the crate was associated with something great -- a high value piece of white meat chicken. I still reward the behavior. My older dogs are now just about 12 and having crate trained dogs has proven to be a great investment -- one of the dogs tore a ligament and has been confined for now 7 months except under supervision. WIthout the "kennel up" command, my 12 year old dog would have been mentally terrorized by the confinement.

Always make the crate a great experience! Before you know it, you'll be saying kennel up and your Teddy will be like my Barney - sprinting at full speed to get in there for the "reward". good luck!

[Britster]

One thing I really failed on as a pet parent and trainer was crate training... lol. Jackson was terrible - he whined and yelled and barked and would NOT stop (if I was home with him, and tried to crate him) so I ended up just giving it. Luckily when I got him I had a lot of time as I was off for college break so was capable of watching him all the time, and being sure he did not have accidents. Thankfully he proved himself to be very reliable quickly, and by 6 months old, he had basic full run of the house (minus the upstairs). He also began sleeping in my bed around 15 weeks old and has been there ever since

But yes I would start by making the kennel a positive experience. Check out Kikopup on YouTube - she has some great videos on training including crating. Here's one:

Crate Training- Part 1- Clicker dog Training -...

Puppy Tips 4- Crate Training - Clicker Dog...

[ironmike86]

Ime don't make a fuss. Let them whine. They will get use to it. Just don't leave them in there to long unless it's night time sleep. Like Oscar said if it's in the day and nobody can watch my dog. I put them in a large crate. Bedtime it's upstairs and by my bed. First 3 days were rough but now it's pretty god. Whine for ~15-20min then go to sleep. But if he whines a couple hours later I get up and let him out to go potty. IMO don't give up. I don't want mine sleeping in my bed for his safety. I will kick him off. In ~1-2 yrs when he's good and potty trained I will let him sleep in a dog bed on the floor. Always worked for all my dog. JME

[bamawife]

I am a total believer in crate training! I use the "kennel up" command, also. I suggest crating your little one for short amounts of time. I would give the command, "kennel up" and walk out of the room. (It's like having young children that don't want to go to bed and whine/cry for attention.) However, in the beginning of training I would only crate for about 10-15 minutes. I would give the pup a toy in the crate and walk out. When you go to let your pup out, praise and treat! My Raley only whined the first 2 days we had him and introduced the crate. He will be 3 years old in December and absolutely loves his crate. If he is pouting, he will go in it. If we have friends over and he gets tired of the noise, he goes in it. He feels safe and secure that way. I could go on and on.....

Good luck!

[ironmike86]

Yup that how my older dogs were. I keep the crates open and they would sleep in there on there own. They felt safer. Just takes time. I the food and water in the pen. So my pup doesn't mind it. Only when it gets locked.

[Bumblebee]

Firstly thank you to all who have posted regarding my questions - with a particular mention to Oscar & Mommy!!!
You've a helped to reassure me. It's sounds silly but my mum has gone on holiday for 2 weeks and she is my life bible!!! Haha! When I need advice or reassuring my mum provides it and can instantly make me feel better but I'm unable to see her until next week on her return. I really forgot how hard work a puppy is. I know the firmness will be worth it in the end - in just super anxious that Teddy will turn out to be a brat or mentally scarred! The Internet seems to be so full of awful stories.

Think I'm just apprehensive regarding going back to work tomorrow. I've got my cousin coming over twice daily to let Teddy out and play but I'm just concerned when I come home he'll hate me!!!

My family dogs were always absolutely fine but now this is my own responsibility as a whole - just so you know I didn't just decide to get a puppy on a whim! I researched the right breed and asked the breeder loads of questions. But I'm really worried about my ability to be a good mummy to Teddy!!! I've read that small dogs can be molly coddled due to their small size so I don't want to be a soft-touch plus Teddy is trying to test dominance - is this normal for a 12 week old puppy btw?

Yesterday he would not listen to a word I said haha! In the end I tuned my back and just ignored the behaviour and he came and laid next to my feet - I was standing up. Am I being mean by doing this???

He has on the plus side learnt to sit and is grasping stay and down commands and the night time crate issue has stopped :-) it's just the daytime where he can sometimes kick up a fuss.

He has a lot of energy and it's a pain as I can't take him for walks yet - his last vaccine isn't until 18th August!!! He rarely naps unless I put him in his pen so IMO for a puppy he doesn't sleep as much as one would potentially expect???

I have so many questions and am full of anxiety inside although making sure I am confident and calm to him plus consistent with what is allowed and what isn't.

Just so afraid I'm going to be a bad mummy! Has anyone else ever felt this worried???

[MY OSCAR]

hi, you are doing a great job.
it sounds like teddy is a normal happy puppy.
he will not hate you for leaving for work for a bit.
he will be so happy to see you come home.
you are doing a good job with his training too.
keep up the good work.
yes, it is a lot work to raise a puppy but they are so worth it.
teddy sounds like a grate little happy puppy.
you may ask all the questions you want.
everyone is here to help each other

[ironmike86]

Nope. If you've ever had the chance to watch newborns being raised. The Mother would lift her head and ignore the pups. Never give in. Or you will be owned by the Pup.
Before I feed. I make my pup sit. Before he comes into the house he sits at the door to get paws wiped. They want you to be in charge. If your not they will be a Terror. IME always make them do a command before something fun. So they know your the boss. No by being mean. But firm. Bed time now. My pup goes into the crane on his own and goes strait to sleep. Keep the same schedule everyday. They like routine.

[msyorktown]

my two love their crate. I use the 'bed time' command. They go right in without a problem. Orion sometimes just goes in to chill...I leave the crate door open at all times, unless it is actually bed time. They grasped it pretty quick. It did take a few nights of crying, but i never gave in. Once you give in you have now taught the little one, if he cries enough, momma will come get me out of this thing.
I know its hard to listen to them cry, but they will get used to it with consistancy and love.
Good Luck

[Bumblebee]

Well, today was Teddy's first day at home without me. My cousin and auntie came to see him twice for an hour each time and let him out and played with him. I was expecting to come home to find a nervous wreck completely hyperventilating and in an awful state. He done a poop but this was to be expected! On the plus side he'd eaten all his food which he normally hardly touches.

As a great for being such a good boy I took him round to my parents' house to meet my family dogs - Missy and Marley (both vaccinated and in good health) and they had a play date indoors! He loved it and is very much the cheeky Teddy I left this morning!!! And he's still following around and was very happy to see my boyfriend and I! :-)

Thank you for all your kindness x