We have a 10 week old GSD pup, who does not like her crate. We put her in there at night and she barks for about 40 minutes before I go down stairs and end up sleeping on the couch so she is not alone. She does not bark then.

What is the best way to get her used to ther crate?
Am I being too soft and giving in (should I buy some ear plugs?)?
Should we put ger in the caret before retring or when we gp to bed.
The carte is full of toys, water and alittle food as well as a comfy bed.

Advice and suggestions would be graefully acceopted.

Thanks

Frank

To get her used to her crate pop her in there for a few minutes at a time, and make it a great place for her, give her stuffed Kongs and treats in there she does not normally get. Some pups do take to the crate but you know how GSDs love their owners, she is feeling lonely at night too.

Many people now take pup/crate upstairs and once the pup feels safe in its new home after a few weeks, gradually move pup out to landing, then downstairs; we did this and our girl happily sleeps downstairs now. i feel the few weeks with us just gave her security and the self confidence to be downstairs on her own.

Lindsay

Hi we have an 11 week old lab , who does now sleep through the night in his crate. I used to put him in there for short moments during the day with a treat and close the door . he would be fine until he finished the treat and would whine as soon as he went quiet i would let him out . It takes time but 2 weeks later he will now sleep through .
The only thing i can say is by taking him out when he whines and letting him sleep with you on the sofa why would he want to sleep in a crate.
You have to ignore it , ear plugs sounds the best idea . We got our dog used to it by day as night time and a noisy dog doesnt go down to well with our neighbours. He soon got used to it.

Actually the way I read it I didn't take it that he took the dog out - just stayed in the room. If this is the case I would suggest having the crate in the bedroom and slowly moving it closer to the door each night (if you don't want it to stay there) and eventually downstairs until the pup is secure that you will still show up in the morning.

Wendy

Hi Frank, I used a play pen at night from the moment I brought my mini schnauzer home (8 weeks old). The first two nights were awful and almost intolerable, the crying and wimpering all night was enough to break your heart. On the first night I came downstairs twice, sat in the play pen and let him fall asleep on my lap and then put him back on his bed. The second night I came down once. The third night there was no crying or howling at all and it's been that way ever since. You can do it but you have to tough it out.

Frank,

Is your cage covered. When we read up on it the book we had said that it was best to cover it, so the dog thought it was a den - maybe just like kids and indoor tents!!!

It worked for us. We only had 2 nights of disturbed sleep and then she was fine.

Good Luck

Heidi

By going down to her your just teaching her that howling works-you come!!!Ignore her and she'll soon learn to settle
Archer

Hi Frank

I do sympathise, We had similar probs with our Pap who is now 5 months. After the first nite of crying non stop..we put him to bed beside us in the catcage and he was as happy as. If he went to bed before us I would leave the lamp and the TV going so he wasnt lonely. He now has a huge crate ( for a lapdog) which lives in the computer room. He has taken to his new crate as happy as the first one and no longer needs the TV going or the lights left on.
Good luck it will stop in time.

Kimmie