My husband and I have an 11-week old lab mix puppy. We've had him for about a week now. We are housetraining using the crate, and for the most part that has been going very well. There have been very few accidents around the house and he does view the crate as his "safe place" (taking naps in the crate, carrying toys to it during playtime, etc.).
However, last night he started barking in the crate. For a week, he has been fine, perhaps with the occassional whimper before curling up and going to sleep. He is fed and taken outside to relieve himself on a relatively regular schedule, so for the most part we are fairly certain this is looking for attention rather than potty.
Everything I have read about crating a puppy his age tells me to ignore him when he barks in the crate, which is what my husband and I have been doing. We wait for him to quiet down before we pay any attention to him whatsoever. When he calms down and gets quiet again, we praise him for it.
Is there anything else that I should be doing? I know that this is a process that takes time and patience, but if there is any key element that I am missing I would really like to know!
Thank you very much!
However, last night he started barking in the crate. For a week, he has been fine, perhaps with the occassional whimper before curling up and going to sleep. He is fed and taken outside to relieve himself on a relatively regular schedule, so for the most part we are fairly certain this is looking for attention rather than potty.
Everything I have read about crating a puppy his age tells me to ignore him when he barks in the crate, which is what my husband and I have been doing. We wait for him to quiet down before we pay any attention to him whatsoever. When he calms down and gets quiet again, we praise him for it.
Is there anything else that I should be doing? I know that this is a process that takes time and patience, but if there is any key element that I am missing I would really like to know!
Thank you very much!