Suddenly won't get in crate :-(

Discussion in 'Labrador Puppies' started by A.Causer, Feb 25, 2015.

  1. A.Causer

    A.Causer Registered Users

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    Amber has been crated overnight and when we're out/unable to supervise since the first day we had her. From very young we could say 'get in your bed' and she would run in and sit patiently for a treat and let us shut the door. No fuss no problems. Last night she was sick, once in lounge and once in crate. So I cleaned up and put the vet bed from her crate in the wash. Now she is refusing to go in her crate. I've had to put her in, which is not easy given she's nearly a year old and 23kg. She was sick twice more this morning in the early hours in her crate. I've cleaned it all up and she's much better in herself. I'm just not sure why she's suddenly objecting to her crate? She's been sick in her crate before, she's been in her crate without the vet bed on her floor many times. She still has her plastic bed and cushion to sleep on in her crate, same bed she's had since 4 months old. I'll put her crate back to normal with vet bed when it's dry and hope that fixes it but I'm really worried about my baby. Any ideas?
     
  2. Jane Martin

    Jane Martin Registered Users

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    I had 2 nights like this when Chepi was about 6-7 months. I just let her stay up with me an extra half hour, then did wees and into bed. It was just a glitch which made me a bit worried but sfter a couple of days she was back to normal. She also barked once inside her crate for those couple of days and it might have been sround a time when she was sick too.
    I'd say to just try and keep to the routine. If she is sick in her crate that might upset her too.
     
  3. Jes72

    Jes72 Registered Users

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    Homer stopped wanting, more like digging his heals in refusing, to go to bed in his crate last summer. When I cleared ou his bedding I found a bead bumble bee.
     
  4. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    No specific ideas I'm afraid as to why. poor girl :(

    Will anything tempt her in? Even for a moment? Maybe she still feels poorly and doesn't want to be sick in her crate again. I know Riley tries to get outside if he needs to be sick so can imagine it's like breaking toilet training which can be upsetting....
     
  5. A.Causer

    A.Causer Registered Users

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    She won't even get in if I throw a treat in for her to follow and she is very treat motivated. Hoping vet bed will be dry so can get bed back to normal for bed time. She's been sick in her crate a few times before and it's never created an unpleasant association with her crate. She's not really a dog who tries to get outside to be sick - she's not that helpful and just does it wherever. I really hope this isn't going to ruin all the months of her being really positive about the crate. Because we do rely on it while working with visits from relatives to break up the time. She's not been sick since about 6am so hoping she's feeling better :(
     
  6. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    I think trying to get outside for being sick didn't come until much further down the line than toilet training so maybe she's only just starting to feel like that.

    I may of course be talking complete nonsense.

    Hope she feels more herself soon and normal service resumes.
     
  7. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    I don't think that because she hasn't behaved like this before after she has been sick in her crate, means that's not the reason this time. :) I think it sounds very likely.

    I'd be tempted to keep her out of the crate until she is completely better and then repeat crate training over a week or so if you can. If she won't go in the crate when you throw a treat in, then you'll have some slow and careful work to do. Unless you force her, and that might make it a whole lot worse.

    Hope you get it sorted ok.
     
  8. A.Causer

    A.Causer Registered Users

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    She'll have to be back in it Monday but I'm off til then so can try re-training. We never really crate trained to begin with as such. Popped her in first night home, downstairs in the hallway and never looked back. She's always been great. Never used it in a negative way. Always rewarded being in her crate. Always waited for quiet before letting her out. Never had an accident in it as we built up time very slowly and woke with her through the night for the first few weeks. Maybe it was all too good to be true. Thanks for the advice.
     
  9. A.Causer

    A.Causer Registered Users

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    Disinfected everything and then Re-assembled her crate as it normally would be, albeit a little damp still. I asked her to get in and she looked interested but didn't get in. So I put her in with a chew and she settled really quickly. I let her out after about 30 minutes and she was fine. Lots of sofa cuddles followed. Then at bedtime I asked her to get in her bed and she ran in like normal as if nothing had happened. Slept all through the night and popped back in her bed after breakfast while I got ready. So maybe she has suddenly decided crate without vet bed in the bottom is not acceptable? Or she's just feeling a bit better so more happy to get back into her routine? Either way, I'm really pleased I was just over reacting. Thanks for all your advice :)
     
  10. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    Good news, so pleased peace and harmony is restored :)

    Now if you could tell me how to stop my spaniel trying to dig through the bottom of his crate at 2 in the morning I'd be grateful :eek: *yawn*
     
  11. snowbunny

    snowbunny Registered Users

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    [quote author=bbrown link=topic=10004.msg146038#msg146038 date=1424943530]

    Now if you could tell me how to stop my spaniel trying to dig through the bottom of his crate at 2 in the morning I'd be grateful :eek: *yawn*
    [/quote]

    A pair of these? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDxrfEeRYAk
     
  12. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Suddenly won't get in crate :(

    Oh crumbs! I can just see him in those ;D (not sure they'd still be on his feet in the morning, probably more likely in his stomach!)
     

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