Crate help??

[Spirit2010]

Well, Whisper is starting to refuse to go into her crate, and I really can't have that, since she is getting bigger. I've been doing some work with it. Like telling her "Crate" then, "Down" then, she gets a treat, and then she gets to come out.. Yesterday was the first time I did that with her, and she did wonderful. Will this work, if I keep working with her like that? Or are there other ways? And how do I wean her off of the treats once she learns a command well? I've weaned Hershey off of treats, but I did his cold turkey... He just wants praise, and I figured that one out, on my own. But Whisper is a different dog. Well, thank you for reading!

[paterson3713]

I think that would help, also try feeding her in the crate, randomly hide treats in there for her to find,, keep her toys in there so she has to go in to get them, and most importantly NEVER let her out of her crate while she is crying.

[Spirit2010]

The only ever time I let her out when she is crying, is when she needs to go outside, and then when she comes back in, to get in her crate, she stops. She knows its outside to do her buisness, then back in her crate. ;) Thanks though! :)

[Charliesmommy]

Sounds like you have a good start on the crate training Spirit. When you are there to supervise, leave the crate door open, with treats/toys in it and let her go in it on her own sometimes with the door open so she learns to like it in there.

When you do shut her in, make sure she has toys or a kong or something to do.

I never weaned Charlie off of treats for crate time. Even if it was just a tiny piece of cheese, he ALWAYS got something once he was in the crate.

[Herschel]

The only ever time I let her out when she is crying, is when she needs to go outside, and then when she comes back in, to get in her crate, she stops. She knows its outside to do her buisness, then back in her crate. ;) Thanks though! :)

Does she get another treat when she goes back into her crate?

I still give Herschel a treat every single time he goes into his crate. He loves it in there and just goes in on his own to hang out.

This morning, Nala (rescue BC puppy that we've had for less than 2 weeks) ran to her crate on her own right after I took her out to go to the bathroom. She got two Buddy Biscuits and a lot of praise. :)

[Buddy'sParents]

I never weaned Charlie off of treats for crate time. Even if it was just a tiny piece of cheese, he ALWAYS got something once he was in the crate.

Ditto that. ^

The dogs get treats every single time no matter what.

[~Tucker&Me~]

I also second feeding her in there and hiding treats and stuff. Like mentioned, also keep her toys in there.

~Tucker

[Spirit2010]

Ya, I've been feeding her in there, and she has a kong, I'll put more toys in her crate. :) And hide more treats! That should be fun for a puppy. Thanks everyone!

[~Jessie~]

With our dogs, we use one big crate for them while we're gone. We leave the door open constantly, unless we're not home. They have a big comforter in there, as well as toys. They love their crate... they go in there on their own when we're home.

When we leave, we just say "Go in your crate" and all 3 of them go running in their crate.

We actually never used treats for crate training. They have always just found it to be a good place to go... however, if I had a dog who didn't voluntarily go into their crate I would use treats in an instant. We have tupperware containers full of Charlie Bear treats strategically placed around our apartment to reward good behavior.

Just make the crate a welcoming and fun place for Whisper to go into. I'm sure that will treats, toys, and a soft place to lay she will love to go in there eventually.

[Momof2Pups]

I agree that a treat and some toys will make it easier. And (no this is not bashing), didn't you say she used to be in there way excessively? if I were her and had spent wayyy too much time in there before and I didn't like iot much to begin with I wouldn't want to go back in there either. So just make it a great experience for her with things to keep her entertained. And don't keep her in there too much.

[Spirit2010]

I agree that a treat and some toys will make it easier. And (no this is not bashing), didn't you say she used to be in there way excessively? if I were her and had spent wayyy too much time in there before and I didn't like iot much to begin with I wouldn't want to go back in there either. So just make it a great experience for her with things to keep her entertained. And don't keep her in there too much.

I've been taking her out of there a lot more, and consenstantly ever since I made that post. ;)

[Momof2Pups]

Good, I'm glad..