Beulah is a little angel & I know I'm very lucky to have her but I am afraid I've messed up with the crate. I had to crate her today to do the school run - we did buy a car harness but it is too small - when I got back my neighbour told me she had cried a lot (not a problem as her dogs bark allday!) - I left the radio on for her - perhaps not loud enough. I put a 3rd different kind of treat in the crate, praised her when she went in & left her with her first tennis ball. I was gone 30 mins. Now she won't let me leave her side without howling & jumping up everything in the kitchen. She does this even if she can see me on the other side of the stair gate. Yesterday & this morning when she went in the crate of her own accord I briefly shut the door & let her out again & gave her a big fuss. If she started whining/howling I turned my back on her & ignored her then when she stopped I said good girl & let her out for a fuss. I have tried giving her 3 diff types of treat & she's not interested in the slightest. How can I train her if she doesn't like treats? Or is it early days for her to be motivated by food?
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Oh dear, two steps forward and one back, eh? You'll probably just have to go a bit more slowly with the crate for now - 30 minutes was a bit too long for her, and now she is a bit freaked. Don't worry, you'll get it sorted, but just do the training in very very short bursts - a minute or so at most.
Re: Help! Not interested in treats How big is the crate? Does it not fit into the back of the car? If you could take her with you on school runs it would be a great way of getting her used to traveling in the car and spending time in a crate at the same time. Plus she would hear all the noises outside from the kids arriving or leaving school. Great opportunity for socialisation.
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Unfortunately Karen I had to leave her as the crate wouldn't fit in my car, the harness was too small & my husband is working a late shift. But how do I train her if she doesn't like treats? What is really tasty?
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Heidrun I think you might be onto something - will talk to hubby about getting one tomorrow - I'm afraid she'll slide about though.
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Have so much sympathy! First few days are difficult but I didn’t have the refusing treat thing – Charlie was greedy pup from the get go. But loads of things didn’t go right – it took me 5 different water bowls before I found one he couldn’t tip up. On day two, after he tipped up different water bowls 6 times, then peed in the house three times, ripped my stockings, nipped my thumb really hard, and then cried like mad when I left him for 5 minutes to go to the loo, I was nearly tearing my hair out wondering what on earth I’d done to get a puppy! He also howled to wake the dead the first few times in his travel crate in the car - but he is perfect now. But all that is behind us now, and it’s just a delight to relax and just enjoy him. Are you trying with processed treats from the pet store? Maybe try a tiny bit of fish or chicken instead? Or just a bit of normal food just a single kibble for example?
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Get a collapsable crate which is easy to lift in and out of the back of the car and use a normal doormat with rubber backing to stop her sliding about.
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Also, forgot to say - I don't use a crate at home, as have a small room I leave him in, so bought a fold down crate for the car with mesh on all sides so he could see out. If you want the travel case, I'll happily pop it in the post, as no longer use it as he outgrew it. I think there is a private message thing somewhere, let me know.
Re: Help! Not interested in treats That's a kind offer Julie, Yes,I'd up the ante on the treats,roast chicken is a great motivator,little tiny bits of sausage too( I used that before Dex went on treat lock down with his upset tum) as long as she's not poorly there will be a food to motivate her ,good luck
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Cheese can be a good one too! Don't worry about messing something up... You and she are learning together. You're bound to do some boo-boos. It's still early days yet and lots for the pup to get used to. Even though it doesn't seem like it now, these puppy days go by quickly!
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Thanks everyone I really appreciate your support Last night was hard she cried from 11 -2am but then settled down. Hubby came in at 1:30am from work & let her out & she did a wee. She hadn't done anything in her crate or this morning when we got up - woop! She is very good at doing wees as soon as you let her outside but then we have spent a lot of time outside! I will try experimenting with tasty food - yes I've been using the shop bought ones. I will try her with a bit of kibble too. She still eats dinner fine & touch wood no upset tummy. She absolutely lives for tummy rubs so have been giving her those when she gets things right. She's currently asleep on my lap! x
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Just something to bear in mind too...oh isn't there always something ...keep an eye on how much you are treating her and balance it against the amount of food she is having for her meals just so she doesn't get plump!
Re: Help! Not interested in treats Been to tescos - got cooked chicken from the deli counter - gone down a treat! Got a stinking headache from the sleep deprivation though She had her jabs this morning & microchip vet was v pleased with her but not happy about the food breeder was giving/recommended for us to give her so I sense changes ahead!
