crate barker - YorkieTalk.com Forums

hogan · 03-21-2006, 09:15 PM

I have a 12 week old baby boy. He is just darling during the day time. Doesn't bark and just loves to cuddle up. At night, its a different story. I have him in a pretty big crate, I didn't have the heart to put him in a little one. But he barks and cries all night. I've only had him for 4 days, but it hasn't seemed to get any better. I have a bed and toy in the crate for him, but just jumps around hooting and hollerin. I don't know what else to do for him. Would it be better to move him to a smaller crate? I just know i NEED sleep. Any suggestions?

Baileys_Momma · 03-21-2006, 09:56 PM

When my Bailey was just a pup he use to do the same thing. I had him in a smaller crate and I use to put the crate on my night stand so he could see me and I could stick my fingers inside the crate to stroke him and calm him down when he cried. This worked out very well and now he sleeps with me 3 nights a week and in his crate downstairs the other 4 nights during the week. I hope this helps.

hunniebunnie · 03-21-2006, 10:03 PM

where is the crate? in your bedroom or is he alone at night. i know when bunjee was smaller, he hated to sleep alone. he will cry and whine to no end and he hated being gated or crated. now that he's older and he knows just because i'm not in plain sight doesn't mean i'm never coming back, he's more comfortable with being alone for short periods at a time.

hogan · 03-21-2006, 10:16 PM

THe crate is in my bedroom. I don't want to spoil him by giving in...but i dont know what else to do with him. im putting him in the small airline one tonight to see if that makes anydifference. its just big enough for his bed.

bugaboosmom · 03-21-2006, 10:28 PM

Try to put him as close as possible next to your bed. I think the smaller crate might make him feel more secure. When he starts whining, tap the crate and tell him to shhh. He has to know everything is all right and your right next to him. I hope this helps and you both can get some sleep!

Cheska's Bella · 03-22-2006, 04:29 AM

I have Bella in a smaller crate (I made it super cozy) and sit it right on my nightstand directly level w/me.
The only time she whines (and boy does this irritate the SO) is when I have to get up to pee. She'll whine until I get back and then go right back to sleep. Occasionally at some gosh awful hour in the early AM she'll whine and scratch and that's her way of telling me it's "time to go pee". I take her out and she pees, we come in and she'll got back in her crate to sleep. Fortunately this doesn't happen very often.

BellaMia · 03-22-2006, 07:45 AM

henry has a crate that fits his body and he can only stand up and turn around...we put baby blankets in there to make it really cozy, and he loves sleeping in it. we had him in a bigger crate for awhile and he didn't like it. i think the smaller crate makes him feel more secure and cozy.

FirstYorkie · 03-22-2006, 08:18 AM

You might also try covering the crate. It's supposed to make them feel more secure. Leave the front uncovered so he can see you, especially if he's sleeping in your room.

bevpeter · 03-22-2006, 08:28 AM

The first night that i got Rylie i put her in her crate to sleep... she slept for maybe about 3 hrs then cried to be let out, i let her out and if was to pee. Well i've had for now for almost a month and well lets just say she cries and barks at night cuz she's too tiny to jump on my bed to sleep. the first night i picked her up and she slept in my bed, everyone told me it was a bad idea and she would pee in my bed well she still hasn't. Anyway i think her sleeping in my bed is great she is so tiny and cute and always has to sleep right next to me, lots of times i wake up and find her snuggled in between my shoulder and neck. she sleeps the whole night and wakes if she needs to pee. I know this is bad because she's gotten so used to it, but we've bonded so much because of this, and nows that when i'm in bed that's were she belongs and isisn't happy till she's right next to me.

hogan · 03-23-2006, 04:13 PM

This is the 3rd night of using the smaller crate. He is still crying and barking. At night I have to sleep right night to him. During night and during the day when he naps, if I try to get up so does he and starts crying immediately. Today he peed in the crate for the first time. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with him. Should I just keep putting him in the crate and hope he gets better?

Cherry · 03-23-2006, 07:03 PM

I have had Diezel for about 9 months now. And I just started getting sleep about 2 months ago... I tried everything.. in the crate out of the crate, and could not get it right. I try letting him sleep with the crate open gated in the kitchen and he just isnt having it. If I am in the house and he can run around he will throw a fit until I get up. Now I keep him in the other room, in a small comfy crate, door closed and a towel over it. He threw a fit for about 3 or 4 days and now he is fine. He does make me chase him to go in but when he does I close the door give him a few cherrios (thanks YT for that advice as treat) and to sleep I go.

I just hope soon he will sleep with the door open so I dont have to interupt my sleep or rush out of bed to let him out!

I think it is just a matter of figuring out what makes your puppy the most comfy... Good luck!

Amysmum · 03-24-2006, 01:31 AM

We put Amy in a crate as soon as we brought her home.
The first couple of nights she would cry,but we just ignored her (sounds cruel) i know but she soon settled down back to sleep.
She would do this for a couple of weeks just to get our attention.
It is very easy to give into them,and then they get used to you going to them.
She soon learnt that no one was coming to her and settled down again to sleep.
She is quite happy now to sleep on her own away from us.

hogan · 03-25-2006, 01:24 PM

So ...its been about a week. And hes still barking and crying. When he does fall asleep...i have to be right next to him. He does get pretty cosy in teh crate, so I know its not uncomfortable. I have a dog bed and a big teddy bear of mine that he snuggles on. But the whining, barking, and crying persists. Its soo annoying!! During the day time after a meal or running around he just climbs into my lap or next to me and snuggles himself until hes asleep. So what is happening is he gets to sleep all the time..and I don't ever get to. I've also tried giving him a treat as soon as I got him in the crate, but he doesn't settle down enough to even notice. Any one have any other suggestions? I don't want him to be dependent on me sleeping next to him forever.

hunniebunnie · 03-25-2006, 01:52 PM

have you tried ignoring him when he's crying in his crate? with bunjee, sometimes i take a spray bottle with water and give him a spray when he cries too much. i also don't take him out of his crate unless he's been quiet for 5 minutes. so he learns that he'll be rewarded by staying quiet, not for crying.

but overall, just keep in mind that you've only had him for a week or two. he's still getting adjusted. you know when you get up to leave, you'll be back, but he doesn't. he cries so that you won't abandon him. he thinks by crying and making lots of noise, he'll get his way. and if you always give in, then he will get into the habit of it. he needs to be left alone, a little at a time, so he can get used to it.

i know if feels like a long time, especially since you've no sleep, but it's only been a week or two. i functioned on minimal sleep for a month before bunjee quit crying at night. it took him even longer to quit crying when i left him gated at home alone for a little bit.

good luck.

Rhanna · 03-25-2006, 04:38 PM

Have you tried putting a cover over the crate? I put a blanket right over mine including the front. My Yorkie doesn't cry much in the crate but my other dog used to. Sometimes you have to ignore the crying as long as he is not hurting himself in the crate. They get the message that you are not going to come running everytime they cry. I know it is hard to ignore the crying.

03-21-2006, 09:15 PM	#1
hogan Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 18	crate barker I have a 12 week old baby boy. He is just darling during the day time. Doesn't bark and just loves to cuddle up. At night, its a different story. I have him in a pretty big crate, I didn't have the heart to put him in a little one. But he barks and cries all night. I've only had him for 4 days, but it hasn't seemed to get any better. I have a bed and toy in the crate for him, but just jumps around hooting and hollerin. I don't know what else to do for him. Would it be better to move him to a smaller crate? I just know i NEED sleep. Any suggestions?

03-21-2006, 09:56 PM	#2
Baileys_Momma And Morgan Too! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,180	When my Bailey was just a pup he use to do the same thing. I had him in a smaller crate and I use to put the crate on my night stand so he could see me and I could stick my fingers inside the crate to stroke him and calm him down when he cried. This worked out very well and now he sleeps with me 3 nights a week and in his crate downstairs the other 4 nights during the week. I hope this helps. __________________ Courtney Bailey Morgan KICKING CANCER'S BUTT, ONE CHEMO TREATMENT AT A TIME!!! Member of the SSLS (Secret Sisterhood Ladybug Society)

03-21-2006, 10:28 PM	#5
bugaboosmom Luv My Bug! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: california Posts: 1,573	Welcome To Yt! Try to put him as close as possible next to your bed. I think the smaller crate might make him feel more secure. When he starts whining, tap the crate and tell him to shhh. He has to know everything is all right and your right next to him. I hope this helps and you both can get some sleep! __________________ TARMAR'S YORKIES

03-22-2006, 08:18 AM	#8
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	You might also try covering the crate. It's supposed to make them feel more secure. Leave the front uncovered so he can see you, especially if he's sleeping in your room. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

03-22-2006, 08:28 AM	#9
bevpeter Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto, Ont Posts: 117	The first night that i got Rylie i put her in her crate to sleep... she slept for maybe about 3 hrs then cried to be let out, i let her out and if was to pee. Well i've had for now for almost a month and well lets just say she cries and barks at night cuz she's too tiny to jump on my bed to sleep. the first night i picked her up and she slept in my bed, everyone told me it was a bad idea and she would pee in my bed well she still hasn't. Anyway i think her sleeping in my bed is great she is so tiny and cute and always has to sleep right next to me, lots of times i wake up and find her snuggled in between my shoulder and neck. she sleeps the whole night and wakes if she needs to pee. I know this is bad because she's gotten so used to it, but we've bonded so much because of this, and nows that when i'm in bed that's were she belongs and isisn't happy till she's right next to me. __________________ Beverly & Rylie

03-21-2006, 10:03 PM	#3
hunniebunnie Follower of Yorkietology Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cali-fo-nee-ya Posts: 1,325	where is the crate? in your bedroom or is he alone at night. i know when bunjee was smaller, he hated to sleep alone. he will cry and whine to no end and he hated being gated or crated. now that he's older and he knows just because i'm not in plain sight doesn't mean i'm never coming back, he's more comfortable with being alone for short periods at a time.

03-21-2006, 10:16 PM	#4
hogan Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 18	THe crate is in my bedroom. I don't want to spoil him by giving in...but i dont know what else to do with him. im putting him in the small airline one tonight to see if that makes anydifference. its just big enough for his bed.

03-22-2006, 04:29 AM	#6
Cheska's Bella YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 681	I have Bella in a smaller crate (I made it super cozy) and sit it right on my nightstand directly level w/me. The only time she whines (and boy does this irritate the SO) is when I have to get up to pee. She'll whine until I get back and then go right back to sleep. Occasionally at some gosh awful hour in the early AM she'll whine and scratch and that's her way of telling me it's "time to go pee". I take her out and she pees, we come in and she'll got back in her crate to sleep. Fortunately this doesn't happen very often.

03-22-2006, 07:45 AM	#7
BellaMia Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Beverly Hills Posts: 56	henry has a crate that fits his body and he can only stand up and turn around...we put baby blankets in there to make it really cozy, and he loves sleeping in it. we had him in a bigger crate for awhile and he didn't like it. i think the smaller crate makes him feel more secure and cozy.

03-23-2006, 04:13 PM	#10
hogan Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 18	This is the 3rd night of using the smaller crate. He is still crying and barking. At night I have to sleep right night to him. During night and during the day when he naps, if I try to get up so does he and starts crying immediately. Today he peed in the crate for the first time. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with him. Should I just keep putting him in the crate and hope he gets better?

03-23-2006, 07:03 PM	#11
Cherry YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 268	I have had Diezel for about 9 months now. And I just started getting sleep about 2 months ago... I tried everything.. in the crate out of the crate, and could not get it right. I try letting him sleep with the crate open gated in the kitchen and he just isnt having it. If I am in the house and he can run around he will throw a fit until I get up. Now I keep him in the other room, in a small comfy crate, door closed and a towel over it. He threw a fit for about 3 or 4 days and now he is fine. He does make me chase him to go in but when he does I close the door give him a few cherrios (thanks YT for that advice as treat) and to sleep I go. I just hope soon he will sleep with the door open so I dont have to interupt my sleep or rush out of bed to let him out! I think it is just a matter of figuring out what makes your puppy the most comfy... Good luck!

03-24-2006, 01:31 AM	#12
Amysmum Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 33	We put Amy in a crate as soon as we brought her home. The first couple of nights she would cry,but we just ignored her (sounds cruel) i know but she soon settled down back to sleep. She would do this for a couple of weeks just to get our attention. It is very easy to give into them,and then they get used to you going to them. She soon learnt that no one was coming to her and settled down again to sleep. She is quite happy now to sleep on her own away from us.

03-25-2006, 01:24 PM	#13
hogan Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 18	So ...its been about a week. And hes still barking and crying. When he does fall asleep...i have to be right next to him. He does get pretty cosy in teh crate, so I know its not uncomfortable. I have a dog bed and a big teddy bear of mine that he snuggles on. But the whining, barking, and crying persists. Its soo annoying!! During the day time after a meal or running around he just climbs into my lap or next to me and snuggles himself until hes asleep. So what is happening is he gets to sleep all the time..and I don't ever get to. I've also tried giving him a treat as soon as I got him in the crate, but he doesn't settle down enough to even notice. Any one have any other suggestions? I don't want him to be dependent on me sleeping next to him forever.

03-25-2006, 01:52 PM	#14
hunniebunnie Follower of Yorkietology Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cali-fo-nee-ya Posts: 1,325	have you tried ignoring him when he's crying in his crate? with bunjee, sometimes i take a spray bottle with water and give him a spray when he cries too much. i also don't take him out of his crate unless he's been quiet for 5 minutes. so he learns that he'll be rewarded by staying quiet, not for crying. but overall, just keep in mind that you've only had him for a week or two. he's still getting adjusted. you know when you get up to leave, you'll be back, but he doesn't. he cries so that you won't abandon him. he thinks by crying and making lots of noise, he'll get his way. and if you always give in, then he will get into the habit of it. he needs to be left alone, a little at a time, so he can get used to it. i know if feels like a long time, especially since you've no sleep, but it's only been a week or two. i functioned on minimal sleep for a month before bunjee quit crying at night. it took him even longer to quit crying when i left him gated at home alone for a little bit. good luck.

03-25-2006, 04:38 PM	#15
Rhanna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 143	Have you tried putting a cover over the crate? I put a blanket right over mine including the front. My Yorkie doesn't cry much in the crate but my other dog used to. Sometimes you have to ignore the crying as long as he is not hurting himself in the crate. They get the message that you are not going to come running everytime they cry. I know it is hard to ignore the crying.