Last Sunday we got our Field Spaniel pup, Rufus - he's now 9 weeks old and as cute as a button. We have another Field Spaniel, Vahri (2). I crate trained Vahri from an early age and it was all very straight forward. However I've introduced Rufus to the crate and he isn't quite so keen. I've put in toys, I feed him there, I've covered it over, and I've given him treats each time he goes in and lets me close the door. If I close the door and walk away even for a second he goes nuts, and I mean nuts. Is there something I don't know.

Well clever puppy, he has already taught you to open the cage door when he wants. Think you are going to have to shut him in and ignore all the fuss till he stops and then go let him out, it is the only way I can think of to teach him that creating a fuss does not work and being quiet does.

Well I had been holding off until there was a lull in the din, but I had to be fast - tonight, and perhaps I shouldn't have done this, but it was the only way I could make him quiet. I enticed him into the cage and closed him in. When the roaring started I rattled an empty can of stones to quiten him down. It worked to quieten him, but I remain skeptical.

I don't intend to shut him away for hours, just long enough to get a shower in the morning and tidy the place up.

I will be going back to work in August, but even then I only work 12 hrs a week - over 3 days, surely I'm not expecting too much. Vahri was so straight forward compared to Rufus.

Well...another idea would be to coax him in there with a wonderful, succulent treat (LOL) and then leave the door open while you are right close by doing dishes or whatever. When he comes out, be cheerful and get another special treat and and toss it in there while he's watching. Don't make any issue when he comes out....like it's no big deal. He can even hang around by you for a few minutes before you try again. You can even go and kneel down and kind of play with him with a toy you're holding while he's in there and use your cheeriest, playful voice. Then walk away again, leaving the door open. Use times where you don't need to have him locked in and just practice a few times during the day for a few days. Then he may not mind so much getting locked in. He'll eventually get use to it. Just try not to scold or scare him with loud noises....that way he won't associate being in the crate with scary, unpleasant happenings. Good luck.

Carrie

Also try moving the cage from room to room with you, if it is not too large. Beside the settee when you are watching TV, in the kitchen and so on. Does the older dog stay with the pup when the pup is in the cage or does he walk off too.