In precisely a week my male Shih Tzu will be two years old. From about 2mths. old I have tried using the crate for short periods of time, however, abandoned the idea after he was house trained. Recently I've gradually re-introduced the crating process with 5 - 30 mins intervals. However after that time, he begins raises the dead with whining and barking, regards of praise or even if I'm in the room with the crate door closed. As soon as he gets out he falls asleep. Should I ignore the barking? Is there something else I can do to make it easier on him? I'll be moving in 7 mths. and WANT to take him with me by plane with as little stress as possible.

HELP HELP HELP

Hi, I give my dogs a Kong (rubber toy) and fill it with some treats i.e. cheese, and only give this when they are going into the cages if I am going out, I also cover the cage with a dark cloth and say "bedtime", if you try and get the dog to associate the cage with "good things" even feed him in the cage for a few days with the door open, and give lots of praise when he is quiet, when you let him out of the cage, just ignore him don't make a fuss and let him out for the toilet, when he "goes", give lots of praise, you will soon find that this should help. I find now that when I lift the kongs to be filled my dogs run into the cages as they know they are going to get treats. It will probably take a few weeks to associate the cage with "good things".

Thanks Irene I'll use your suggestion. So far he's ignored his 'treat ball' even though its filled with his goodies. Of course, if you have any more ideas I will be grateful. I usually try the crating process after he's done his exercise so he's tired and I know he'd sleep...but you can guess what happens instead.

Hi - I've also got a Shih Tzu who I started crating at 17 weeks. He barked and whined like crazy but if you ignore it - give him a pat and some encouraging words and then go right out of the room and try to make yourself deaf, he should learn to stop making a fuss!
Like you, I've stopped using the crate after he was housetrained so maybe I'd better re-introduce him to it like you have!
Best of luck anyway! I'm sure he'll adjust to whatever he has to.
alison

Hi Allison,

Well I feel MUCH better that I'm not alone with the barking & whining struggle. At dog shows, I'm in awe how relaxed they are to sit or lay in their crates without a fuss...I have to wonder if they all went through this whining and barking process. I was uncertain of the size crate I was to buy but I've invested in an Atlas (Plastic) 30 which he can turn in but I'm not sure of the standard size for the Shih Tzu. Nor I couldn't find any information about cages verus plastic crates for airplane travel.

How old is your dog?
Serena

Hi again, Serena,
Good for you getting your crate and persevering! I'm sure in time your little one will get to like his crate! Mine shares it with one of the cats when I'm out of the house! Actually, Mikey took to it more easily once he knew I wasn't there to listen to the grumbles but in any case he's very adaptable so with any luck yours will be too!
I asked the man in the pet shop to check the right size - we got one which is big enough for West Highland terriers I think. He's quite a big boy but he can still lie comfortably in it which is good enough. Any bigger and you'd need a crane!
I can't help with advice about airlines but if you ring them and ask or ask your vet, they should know.
Sherpa make an excellent carry bag which is passed for all American airlines if that's where you live.
Mikey is 9 months old now! How old is yours? What colours? Mikey is sort of blackish and white and he is GORGEOUS!!!
All the best, Alison

Hi Alison,

Well yesterday I went to a dog show...my little pooch was entered! He got a little trophy for champion class but never got into the top five...but was in the top ten of 18!!! Tchai (cha-i) will be two on Jan. 11. He is white and brown and very muscular because he's walked a lot. He is also very stubborn as hell, but I'm trying to do obedience training home. So far so good, he's been left in the crate for most of yesterday, the two hour drive and at the show for the most part and was pretty good most of the time.
I've been fortunate to be home for the two years of his life but want to start working soon. He does well home alone for a couple hours (supermarket or little errands) but I'm interested to see a work day. Do you work? Do you do have round the clock care?
Serena

Well done to you and Tchai, Serena!! Both for the crate and the show - he must be a lovely looking boy!
I do work sometimes but very irregular hours which makes it slightly easier. I know what it's like to worry when you leave them for any length of time. The most time Mikey's been left is about 3 1/2 hours, more usually 2. But I'm lucky with neighbours and someone who lives near who occasionally I use but have to pay for. It's a good idea to find someone who is keen to walk dogs or come in to feed and play with them abit though it can get expensive if you don't have friends who are willing to help out. I hate asking friends but I don't like to leave him alone for too long. Problem, isn't it?
Where do you live?
Good luck looking anyway!
Alison

Hey Alison,

At the moment I live in Sweden, but will be relocating soon, hence, the need for him liking the crate for travelling. Since he was a gift, I am totally new to the breed. I've bought the book and been looking up on the net for additional information. You are fortunate to have a such a flexible work schedule and I totally understand about having to ask someone to sit during the times away. However, most dogs are capable of staying alone during work times, my mongrel used to. Aren't these able at the adult age??? Up until two months ago I was living in an apartment on the third floor and used a kitty litter box (balconey) to house train him. He went to the door and or give me the signal to go out...during the summer the door was open all the time and he would go out on his own. He's smart but I know he has a problem when I leave the house for exactly 4mins. (I've timed him). After that he goes quiet until I return. I'm in love with his little expressions...I swear I can tell when he's smiling! Anyway, I'm hanging in there with the crating...back at home he's still whining and barking. I now feed him in there with the door open and as soon as he's finished he's out...I try throwing his toys in there but he just takes them out...sort of defiance don't you think???
Will you go to obedience class with Mikey? Anyway...be good.
Serena!

T'Chai sounds like a typical Shih Tzu!! They are the most loveable and expressive little dogs but with such a mind of their own! I'm afraid the only way I can get Mikey to do what I want is to give him a treat - he'll do anything for one of those!
Where are you moving to? Thought of you in Sweden today as we found ourselves knee deep in snow here in London! Mikey loves it and buries his face in it as if it were ice-cream.
I think you just have to carry on being firm with T'chai about the crating. I don't know how he feels about food but why don't you try putting some treats inside something which takes a while for him to find? Those rubber kongs with a hole in the middle can be stuffed with a few tasty tidbits and he'll keep busy for at least a while trying to get them out.
I have always found Mikey complaining in his crate when I'm in the house but he's ok in the car or when I'm out (I think!)
Hope you have success with it soon!
Alison

Hi Alison,

I just read you are a broadcaster....what a wicked job! You go girl! Anyway what can I say Tchai means tea is so many languages, I love tea and it just sounds very oriental! Can I tell you I don't think there is a more stubborn breed than these. There are times I can actually see the wheels in his head turning, giving me the look...you idiot, I'm in charge! Today was milder -5 and we were once again in the snow...took some pictures of the pooch in his element (head deep in snow). Treats....I must have the only dog who is not interest in food when he's out. He totally is occupied with his surroundings...he loves praise though and will do anything for that.
Originally I'm from Jamaica...(I know long way from home plus totally screwed up weather change) but I would like to go back. My husband is in love with my island and I miss my family and FRIENDS.

Jamaica?? How on earth could you ever bear to leave? I haven't been to Jamaica but I have been twice to Barbados and loved it to bits. Might be too hot for T'chai though! He sounds SO cute - and very like my Mikey, apart from the food. Mikey is a complete foodie and will do anything for a treat. He loves the snow as well and gets it all over his little face from burying his whole head in it and .. yes.. eating it too! Is T'chai super-friendly with other dogs? Mikey lives to play - it's lovely seeing him charging round a snowy field looking like a tiny greyhound! When he's at home with no other dog to play with, he plays with the cats. They don't always find it amusing but I've taken a lovely video of him biting and licking my eldest cat's ear.
It's a shame there isn't a way of posting photos of our dogs here, don't you think?
All the best
Alison

Yeah I know...why leave sunshine, sunshine...warm people to come here right??? The only answer is a WONDERFUL MAN. My mother has a shih tzu back home and has him puppy trimmed..so the heat is not a problem.

Tchai is horrible with other dogs. Unfortunately when he was younger there were not many other dogs around so he grew up 'sheltered'. At the shows is the only real time he gets to interact and then he's not interested. Would you believe he had five siblings!! We recently moved to an island where I'm guaranteed to bump into another dog per day and then he goes bananas. You would think I have a doberman or germany shepherd wanting to attack. We've been doing the sit and stay thing while they pass but then he is determined to show how strong he is anyway. I saw a recipe here for liver cakes here that I'm going to try to so see if he'd be more interested in that while other dogs pass us. We walk for like an hour or more each day. At that point he gets to go off the lead and just runs like crazy. People here are not very willing to accomodate me with my barking devil, instead they pull their dogs away. I would love for them just to go around and around us but then Swedes are not the most friendly people! If you send your email I could send you a photo of him..that is if you are not 'afraid'. I can understand and respect if you don't wish to. I'm cool about things like that as I have dozens of friends I've met over the internet. Nothing better than finding a good friend!
Have a great weekend! Give Mikey a hug.

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From: Alison Rooper <alison4@mac.com>
Date: Fri Jan 10, 2003 6:34:52 PM Europe/London
To: niccic1969@hotmail.com
Subject: 2 great iPhotos

Hi! I hope you don't mind - I got your email address off the Champdogs
forum as I don't know how to send you photos any way but this! I have
an Apple Mac machine which is brilliant and has this great photo thing
which is so easy to use!
Here are 2 pics of Mikey - one with Milo his best friend and the second
in his raincoat!
Poor you being avoided by all those Swedes! If you'd had the chance to
socialise T'Chai from an early age, you wouldn't have had a problem...
i was lucky to be in London with lots of friends who have dogs, so
Mikey learned early on to mix with others. I think he's also just a
very friendly soul and that's mostly luck. we didn't get him from very
good breeders so we could have had problems with his temperament. He IS
stubborn though!!! He refuses to listen to the word NO!! (I've just
caught him eating a bit of the table as I wrote that) - he is naughty
sometimes but so loveable with it!
Hope your liver cakes work! I wonder if keeping the Rottweiler on his
lead makes it worse with other dogs? They often feel more threatened
apparently than when they're off the lead. Could you try that? I guess
you'd need a lot of space in case he runs off. Maybe Swedish dogs are
also not too friendly!!
It's so nice to hear from you - looking forward to seeing a photo of
T'Chai!
Alison

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Sorry - I tried to copy and paste the photos onto this page but obviously failed!

Hi!!

Is this crate training during the day or at night??? I know with my 6 month old lab, we put her in the kitchen at first. She would cry 4 at least an hour and wake up at 4 in the morning. Once we decided 2 move her crate up to my room, she would happily trot into it and sleep untill we wanted 2 get up. Hope this helps!!

Hi,

Crating is done during the days. At night he sleeps in his doggie bed. Both crate and bed are in my bedroom.