So on day two with an 8 week old lab (https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/hello-from-canada.20800/). Potty issues are a fact at this point. In comes the crate. We brought it in, sized it. Put random treats in during the day, so he now wakes up and instinctively goes in hunting for the magic appearing treats. Toys bedding, you name it. So finally we put him in his crate, he whined and whimpered as soon as the door was closing. We ceased that attempt before the door closed. A second attempt was made later. This time door was closed as he was busy ripping treats from the Kong. As soon as he noticed escape was impossible a minute later, the clambering and whimpering began, and we walked out. (as to not reward the behavior) Thirty minutes later we returned upon his silence. We opened the door, he awoke and he was rewarded with high value treats and praise. Went on his usual puppy high energy party. He will sleep ANYWHERE but the crate. We even moved the crate to his usual location, and he now sleeps on the floor where the crate used to be. What I don't get is... When I leave the room or even the house for up to an hour, I come to find him sleeping peacefully or chewing up my shoes (with or without a puddle). Crated I come to find him "sleeping". He seems to be sleeping but rocking on vibrating in much the same way he acted upon first car ride home. Not at all the restful sleep when he is uncrated. Nervous or just trying to comfort himself. When he took a long car ride today he held his needs just fine, and emptied upon 'disembarking' (pun intended ) the vehicle. No problem. At bedtime sleeping on the floor (Dog Bed, No Crate) next to the bed he also has little problems holding it in from 11:30pm to almost 5:00am (impressive for 8 weeks) I'm new, and clearly I don't get it. The whimpering is saddening and hard to ignore. (Look up why cats meow) Any input & advice would be appreciated. Thanks all.
I wouldn't open the door if he is sleeping. He will learn to love his crate with a bit of time and see it as his place to be. Treat him in the crate when he is there and quiet. If you don't want your shoes eaten put them out the way. He sounds like he is doing great at night. I don't have experience of crating in the day and not at night - my first lab wasn't crated and my second was crated day and night (now just at night). I personally wouldn't leave such a young puppy for an hour so young - he will still be missing his mum and siblings but build up the time you leave the room gradually. Yes when they cry it is very hard to ignore but he just needs time to settle. Keep rewarding him when he is quiet when he is awake in his crate with the door shut. I found it very hard when my puppy cried in her crate as I didn't really like the idea of a crate and shutting her in but it was the best thing ever for us.
I'd recommend you buy Susan Garrett's 'Crate Games' DVD (not sure if it's in a downloadable format these days). That will show you how to actually train your dog (using rewards for behaviour and a program of shaping) to go into and want to stay in the crate. This is opposed to what you're doing at the moment which is trying to make a positive association with the crate (which is classical conditioning or learning by association) - that's a good thing but it's not as powerful as training a behaviour using choices and consequences (ie operant conditioning). If you google 'crate games' you should get an idea of this approach.
I agree with Rachel; try Susan Garrett's crate games to build a very strong positive association a lot faster. I would also say, there is a big difference between ignoring a puppy who is vocalising because of distress and one who is vocalising through frustration or attention-seeking. In time, you will lear the difference in your own puppy, but, by leaving him distressed in his crate, you can create a strong negative association with it. I'm a huge proponent of looking at the dog's emotions that are causing a behaviour, rather than trying to fix a behaviour alone. So, if the puppy is whining because he is scared, try to teach him that the crate is a good, happy and safe place to be. If he is whining because he is frustrated, you need to teach him that sometimes settling down is necessary and the whole world doesn't revolve around him. In either case, you need to break down your training plan into much smaller steps. Alongside the crate games, try sitting by the crate, popping him in with a chew or a stuffed kong, closing the door for a brief instant, say "yes", open the door and give him a tasty treat. Repeat over and over, sometimes keeping the door closed for two seconds, sometimes just closing and opening it immediately. Always mark it with "yes", or a click, and reward with a treat. Over time, increase the average duration, but mix it up so it's not getting longer each attempt. Over a few days, you can begin standing up and walking away - again, for a pace or two to start, and increasing slowly to moving out of the room. I also agree that it's too long to leave a tiny puppy for an hour after just a couple of days. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
My boy is 13 weeks now but when we brought him home I had bought a smart pet love snuggle puppy from Amazon that has a heartbeat like mom and heat to simulate being with the litter. He loves going in his crate with his puppy and only fusses if he has to potty. I only put the snuggle puppy in at night now but he will go into crate by himself to nap sometimes. I only tried this because our last lab had separation anxiety but I would use it again for sure.
Thank you all for your information. I certainly don't use the crate as punishment ever, and the hour was technically 43 minutes (not by choice). I just don't want to reinforce bad behavior, so only after the whining ceased were the doors open. (ie: 43min) then rewarded. I agree with you guys maybe moving to quick. I'm going to take a step back. And yes look into those DVD's. Wow... It's just like human children, Puppies/Dogs I mean. Lot of work, but so worth it! Thank you all again for helping me understand all this. I've got more reading and questions to do! As Gloria Gaynor said, "I, I will Survive"
Have you put a cover over the crate to make it like a den? it doesn't have to be fitted, just a piece of cloth to make it snug. It's also worth leaving a radio on (or having a ticking clock) and putting in a microwavable cushion if it's a bit chilly.
Yep, Covered the crate. Things are looking a bit better. Still hard, but hopeful. I've slowed way down on things. It's getting better in some ways, but in others... LAND CROCODILE. Yep. My poor ankles and hands. That's another post though. Heh heh.
