Crate Users.....

[PinkMartini]

Originally Posted by Stitches29

We have had Maggie for 9 days now. The first night was stressful for both of us. After that the crate training went without a hitch. One thing that has been very helpful is to get them on a strict schedule. Maggie's crate is in the kitchen, with a cover for it (like a birdcage cover). She has a soft blanket and a few stuff animals in there too. She has her food, water and the rest of her toys in the kitchen area. I have a baby gate up while she is playing. When it's nap time, she just climbs into her crate, I close the door and put the cover on, and she sleeps for 3 hours. When she wakes up, I'm there to open the crate and take her outside to potty. We come back in, have something to eat & play, and in about 1 to 1 1/2 hours it's naptime again. Around 7 at night it's a school time / play time in the den. At the age of 9 weeks she "Sits" and "Stays" on command. Crate training makes all training work. If you give in just once and let the dog out because of crying, then you will have to start all over. Tuff Love is hard. I'm retired so I have a lot of time to devote to Maggie. I couldnt imagine trying to raise one and have a full time job too. This is just like raising a real human baby. I hope this will help you. I won't sit here and lie and say it was easy at first, because I thought I would cry from being so tired, but so far in just a very short time, it has paid off.

Thanks for the tips. Bailey is 4 months old now and we've had him for almost 2 of them. He is a lot better than when I posted this poll, but does still whine when he has to 'go to bed.' I do have to be thankful though, that since I've had him, he's NEVER had an accident in his crate. If only he could get over this whining

[lorenzo]

Crates or playpens can be wonderful with some form of moderation. The crate is somewhat of a playpen for dogs. You must design it so it can be likeable. When my children were young they slept with us, not because they wanted to, but I felt they would be safe next to us. There comes a time when they must graduate to their own beds. When they're young you want to get them off to a good start. With people, you worry about SIDS, but in the doggie world there are other things that go on. You have to do what you have to do in life and there's nothing wrong with a crate as long as it's done in love and in some type of regiment for the well-being of your pet. Everyone cannot stay at home, I know I can't. My yorkies wouldn't be able to live like they do if I did. Be persistent with your crate training and it will pay off for you in the long run. Good luck and remember, you are the alpha and baby depends on you for direction.

[Yorkieluv]

Our yorkie cried the first couple of nights in his crate in our room. We decided we didn't want to crate him so we took the door off of his crate and started just closing the door to our bedroom so he could have free reign of the room (it was pretty small). We put down a pee pad and his food and water bowl on the other side. He also had a doggy bed by his crate by our bed and he loved that. He didn't cry at all and he did really well with going potty on the pads. He sleeps either in his bed or in his crate (with no door).

[Peanut's Mommy]

I made the mistake of after the first night letting her sleep with my husband and I. While lately she has been going to my husband's side of the bed and peeing with out letting us know. So now she has to be in a crate at night. I have it on my nightstand so she can see me. The first night was HORRIBLE, it made me so sad to hear my little girl cry and whimpher. Its the third night and she is doing a little better. Right now I'm off of work due to surgery... But I need a suggestion on what to do with her during the day. I don't want her to be in a crate almost 12 hours and day. Any suggestion would be helpful!

[Suzie's mommy]

I have had problems with both male & females with the crating issue. Mostly it depends on the temperament/attitude of the dog. Seems that most dominant ones have a harder time of it but then also does the insecure ones that crave for your attention. It is just a matter of them learning that the vrate is a good place & give them sufficient attention when they are out with you. Never us the crate a a correction tool & always praise them for going in on their own.

[Kelz]

it took Bentley about 2 weeks to get use to it..he would cry and cry at first but we just left him in there at night and we'd get up at about 5 or 6 to let him out to go the bathroom ..then he could sleep the rest of the night with us in bed.. but now all i have to do is open the bag of treats and he runs to it and you say Crate and he jumps in!

[StewiesMom]

I used a crate for 2 weeks with Stewie when I first got him. He was 16 weeks when I brought him home, so he wasn't very tiny (about 3lbs). Anyway, I felt badly about putting him in there for up to 8 hours a day while I was at work so I confined him in the kitchen with his toys, pee pad, food, water, etc. He is much less wild than those first two weeks when he was confined in the crate for so long.

[iheartyorkies]

Originally Posted by Peanut's Mommy

I made the mistake of after the first night letting her sleep with my husband and I. While lately she has been going to my husband's side of the bed and peeing with out letting us know. So now she has to be in a crate at night. I have it on my nightstand so she can see me. The first night was HORRIBLE, it made me so sad to hear my little girl cry and whimpher. Its the third night and she is doing a little better. Right now I'm off of work due to surgery... But I need a suggestion on what to do with her during the day. I don't want her to be in a crate almost 12 hours and day. Any suggestion would be helpful!

Peanut's Mommy, I know this is an old thread but I thought I'd add a suggestion. Many people who work long hours either confine their pup to a small room or you could do what I do when I'm gone. I bought an extra large wire crate. It's the next largest size I saw, about 2x3. I laid a soft rug to cover the bottom. There's room for Bo's toys, food bowl and blanket. He can stand up and even jump around if he wants. He can see out all sides but I have covered the back half with a throw for a more snuggly spot. Sometimes I put him in there if I'm doing heavy cleaning or just want a nap. I like for him to be able to move around a little. Hope this helps!

[Laura]

I have a boy and a girl, they have a cage (two now) which is 2' high and 4' x 4'. You can take it outside, it has no top or bottom. folds to 2'x2'x4" or so. it can even go to my mothers house. They had food and water, pee pee pad, toys and their crate-no door.

They have always slept in them. Occasionally (1 yr later) they will cry or bark at night- we yell out to them 'whoever is barking!' They will usually go right to sleep after that. If we are watching TV in our room, that is what usually gets them upset (or if they hear us talking.) Or if the boys come down for a mid-night snack. You can hear the boys whisper-yelling their names, too.

[bettyeanne]

Toto doesn't really mind one way or the other. We use crates in our vehicles in case we have to leave her for a few minutes in the car [very, very seldom] and we don't want her visible. We use her X-pen at home if we have to leave her alone [again very, very seldom]. Otherwise, she has free access all the time ... she is pad trained and I am with her usually 24/7.