Hi everyone: I need the benefit of your experience please.

We've had Rufus almost three weeks now (he's nearly 11 weeks old now) - and I've been trying to crate train him, and I think we're starting to make progress -  .

On Monday I need to go to work for 4 hrs, so I have to leave him, problem being I left him today for about 15 - 20 mins and my neighbour said he went nuts - howling his little head off.

He's not alone, as Vahri is there although she's out and about in the house and he's penned in his crate.

What can I do between now and Monday to ease the strain for him?

Try and increase the time slowly, perhaps you rushed him and 20 mins was too much.  Start with 5 mins or less and when he's ok with it increase by 2 mins at a time until you get to 20 mins.  Another idea is to wear an old t-shirt until it is quite ripe (sleep in it, it won't take long in this weather :) ) and then leave it with him in the crate as a comforter.  I would also practise crating 2 or 3 times a day at first to get him used to it.

Someone else should be along soon with more info and ideas.

Regards
Dill

I've not had any major problems with my lot liking crates.  However, I take it slowly.  I agree with Dill but have you tried feeding him in there so it's a nice place to be?  Have you left toys in their for him?  Is he actually used to be away from you?  It could be that he doesn't like that and not just his crate.

Helen

Where does he sleep in the evenings? in the crate?

His crate is in the livingroom, with his things in it, and the door is open all the time. He never chooses to go sleep there, and he is fed there.

At night he sleeps in our room on the floor with his blankie.

He will grumble a bit if I put him in his crate (with a treat), but he'll settle if he sees me around, the problem is if we put him in the crate and leave the room.

Also Vahri isn't in a crate, will it upset him to see her wandering around? Sorry for all the questions, I do appreciate your help.

Hi,

I dont know but I think 4 hours left in a crate during the day is my opinion only is too long.
I would leave a child in a play pen for max 20 mins if I had to go the door or handg out washing etc I know not the same but I always under the impression crates are used when you need to pop out to the shops but not 4 hours when you need to get on without pup or dog under your feet pop in til your done.Its along time to be enclosed for a for a dog.
I'm not against crates because I use them but I personally feel 2 hours is more than enough if I longer than this the pup into the utility room with a safty gate where he/she has more space and perhaps does not feel quite so enclosed for that time .I also get someone just to pop in if longer than 2 hours and its a pup.I appreciate not everyone has a utility room but what about the kitchen with safty gate on the door if your going to be out longer.Still give him toys and bed?

This is just my opinion and i'm not saying its right.Sometimes I just think crate are wonderful have but the amount time spent in one is questinable?

Briony:-)

Hi,

Really apolgise sorry just read your post again you only left 15-20 mins.I thought you going to leave him in his crate 4 hours.My apologies.

Briony

I'm going to come home half way through - I just hope it doesn't make him worse!!

I'm really not happy about leaving him that long, but I'm afraid I have no choice. I'll go at 10.00am come back at noon take him out, then go again and be home for 2.00pm. It's the only way around I can see me managing this.

Poor wee Rufus :(

Is there a nice neighbour or anyone that you could ask to come round and maybe sit with him for part of the time your out?  Just until he's a bit more adjusted to being left?

I have a 7 week old puppy who also crys in the crate what we have started doing is everytime she falls asleep on the sofa, under the table we pick her up and put her in the crate, after doing this for a week she has started to see the crate as chill out time and knows when she goes in their its time to rest.
I get up at 6 let her run around for a few hours and then my partner will put her in the crate from about 10-12 after all the exercise she is usually shattered and is no problem.

I know its not always convienent but we all ways try and put her in there when shes tired... and she will just sleep,. :))

Rufus won't be on his own Monday after all :). Pete will be off and he's on back shift - but either way Ruf is going to have to learn to be by himself.

The compromise - Instead of the crate I'm going to get a baby gate. I don't want to let them lose on each otherwhen I'm not there,  I'd prefer they were separated, - Rufus is too wild :8

Well give it a go and see what happens. Jx

Baby gates are a fab invention. It means pups can't get to where they shouldn't be but can see through the gate and what's happening elsewhere in the house. Their movement isn't restricted either which would worry me. The only thing to look out for would be his head getting stuck in between the bars, which was a problem we had at first, but easily solved by attaching some plastic mesh to the gate. As long as you don't mind a few puddles and coils (poo) to clear up when you get home, oh yes and one other thing, don't say goodbye to him or make a big deal with the dog about leaving the house just leave quietly and leave him busy with some chews and a filled kong too. Leave a radio on too. My dog starts playing up when I put my high heels on so I leave them by the front door and put them on at the last minute. Somehow he still knows I'm going out though because he gives out a very sad cry as I creep out of the door and heck I feel SSSSSOOOOOO guilty about leaving him. At six months I could leave him for a maximum of 4 hrs, any more than that I pay a neighbour to walk him.