Cries in the kitchen, but not in crate?
 

Hello YTers, over the last few days I have been trying to get Lola into the habit of being in the kitchen during the day when we are at work so that she has more room to play, eat, relieve herself and walk around. Before this we were having her in the crate and she was fine. No crying, no whining, just was happy and content there.

I wanted to give her more roaming room so i got a new gate *the previous one just was not cut out for puppies, was a home depot gate that just did not seem stable* so i got her one from Petco that is a walk over, wooden gate with doggie door.

This morning, after waking up and atking her oustide to go to the bathroom, I put her in the ktichen with her new gate and went to get an hour more of sleep. She whined, cried, scratched at the gate. It was heartbreaking. When i put her in her crate in the living room, she was fine. went to sleep, not one peep.

So I am confused as to where to keep her now. Does she prefer the crate. why is she crying in teh kithen when she has more toys, food, room, place to relieve, etc. ?

Should we just let her cry it out and get used to the kitchen? she has her bed in there too so she has a comfy place to sleep as well.

She must miss her crate, she probably feels safest there. Maybe you could put it in the kitchen with her?

How about putting her crate in the kitchen, but leave the crate door open so that she can decide? Sally + Harry x

I was actually considering that this morning, to put that in there with her to go into when she wants to rest. I was even considering getting an excercise pen that would live in the living room area, maybe she just hates the kitchen?

Tomorrow i am goign to put the crate in there with her and maybe put the gate at the end of the entrance way so she has roaming space of the front hallways, bathroom and the kitchen.

Awww, I doubt that she hates your kitchen?!! It probably just feels very big, with only her in it! Personally, I would try that first - she's used to her den and probably wonders where it's all gone! Good luck tonight! Sally + Harry x

Will try to do this tonight and start fresh tomorrow -- i hope she didnt jump the gate lol. oy vey

The crate possibly gives her some sense of "home" and protection while the kitchen is open. Also, if she's used the crate for some time it's also familiar to her.

thanks everyone, i thought i was doing her a favor by giving her more room. this way she can at least use her pads to pee during the day time and also play. guess she feels safe in the crate and doesnt mind it whiel we are at work.

:)