chaelaa
Ontario
MH
Posts:62
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| 04/21/2011 11:21 AM |
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I have my 12 week old pup crated in my room since we got him at 7.5 weeks. I plan on moving him downstairs once I know he can sleep through the night without having to go, because I can't hear him from downstairs in my room. Normally he does okay in his crate, but I have found that, once I leave the room he goes NUTS!!! I mean crying, yelping, barking at the top of his lungs even if I leave for two minutes to go to the bathroom, etc.
Why does he do this?? I would really like him to be okay with me leaving and not get so upset! Any advice? |
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- Michaela |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7925
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| 04/21/2011 11:49 AM |
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| What do you do when he fuses? Puppies go through phases and right now his world revolves around you and he may even be going through a bit of a fear period. Your response to all this is key. First you need to make the crate a wonderful and safe place, so playing games in the crate, feeding in the crate, etc are important. I would even move the crate into different rooms and put him in it for varying amounts of time. You need to work with him to make sure he likes the crate. Some have recommended Crate Games as a great way to build crate confidence, etc. It is an excellent video. Additionally, you should never ever respond to him while he is in the crate and fussing. Wait until he quiets down and then respond. It doesn't take them long to figure out quiet gets them out. He is testing you right now so just we aware that if you respond you will make the situation worse. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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MainCreeksRemi
Wisconsin
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Posts:824
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| 04/21/2011 12:39 PM |
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Its a normal thing for him to want to be with you, so when he can hear you out and about he wants to be with you too.
And as Bev mentioned, don't ever let him out because he's making a fuss. Wait for him to be quiet and calm before you open the door.
Its very important to make sure they enjoy crate time & look forward to it. All of my dogs will run to their crates when they know we're leaving. Of course they get a great reward for doing so (a frozen kong).
Good luck. |
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Loved by Kelley:
Remi (7/3/2010) GSP
Morgan (5/17/2008) Choco Lab
Nallah (8/6/2006) Black Lab |
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Max2
Oneonta NY
MH
Posts:1123
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| 04/21/2011 1:19 PM |
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| It sounds to me like he is being a little " imp " & PLEASE don't take this the wrong way ! These little buggers are so smart. Max used to try this with me and I would not give an inch. It goes a lot faster when you don't give in to their crying and carrying on's then when you do give in . I couldn't resist throwing this in. I have truely been there ! |
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Chris |
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Nancy D
No. Lower MI - Gaylord Area
MH
Posts:858
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| 04/21/2011 1:35 PM |
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I cannot speak from past experience since I started fostering Lucy when she was 11mos. I can speak from my experience then. Lucy must have been crated as her original owner worked. When I got her, I also crated her, but only when I had to leave for a few hours. Lucy has destroyed 2 heavy metal crates - I'm speaking welds pulled loose. That was in Aug. of 2010. Owner wanted her back in Sept. - had her for a while, gave her to a friend who left for a weekend and left her loose outside. I got her back Dec. 7, 2010 and have been working since to ease the damage.
The crate games suggested have been a big help, and Lucy is doing better about being separated from me.
Your pup is very young and should be no where the challenge that Lucy has been from an owner not knowing how to handle and train a GSP.
All I can say is listen to the advice you receive here as it is good. You need to put in the time as there is no quick fix. |
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chaelaa
Ontario
MH
Posts:62
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| 04/21/2011 5:48 PM |
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When he fusses I ignore him completely. Sometimes I will tell him to "Quiet" and if he is quiet I praise him for being quiet and give him a piece of kibble. But other than that, I usually just leave him, I don't even look at him, if I know he has gone potty already in the past 2 hours etc.
I think he likes his crate. Most of the time he does very well in the crate, but like I said, only makes a fuss when I leave the room. He has some bones and his favourite stuffed ducky in the crate with him that keep him busy sometimes, and when he is out of his crate I leave the door open and he will go in and out of it if occasionally.
I used to not come back into the room until he has calmed down, but sometimes he cries for too long and there are things I need to be done in the room that I can't stay away for too long.... And yes, I only open the door for him once he has settled down and is quiet (the only exception is during the night when he is asking to go potty). |
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- Michaela |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3155
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| 04/22/2011 6:17 AM |
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| The advice given is what I would suggest...and it sounds like you are pretty much doing that so I say keep it up and it probably is a phase he is testing you....if he cries and you need to go into the room to do stuff that is fine, go and do what has to be done...he will most likely quiet down once you are in there so that is good....cuz then you can let him out when you are ready and he is quiet....if you have time and you are done in that room you can put him back in the cage and leave for a while and wait him out till he is quiet... |
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Polarbear
Coon Rapids, MN
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Posts:131
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| 04/22/2011 10:21 AM |
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I agree with the advice given regarding fussing in the crate, the same has certainly worked for me. But I have a problem with you wanting to put a 12 week old pup in the basement all by himself in a crate overnight just because you don't want to hear him!
These dogs are different. They need to be with their people. Isolating a baby like that during the night just makes me feel terrible for him. Sharing a sleeping place with your dog will only strengthen your relationship with him and your pack.
Maybe I'm over reacting guys, but it just feels wrong to me. |
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Smylinacha
Connecticut
MH
Posts:1208
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| 04/22/2011 2:59 PM |
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I normally don't crate Windsor when I leave the house but today we had a friend come over and he brought his dog - a big pretty golden retriever  They played for a while but then my husband and his friend had to load up firewood and I was going out. His friend put his dog in his truck and Windsor came inside. He was NUTS. He was barking, going from room to room, climbing over everything to get to a window so I put him in his crate with a toy and covered it with a blanket. Boy did he howl and have a fit. I ignored him and left. Hubby came in later on and Windsor was fine and calm in his crate. Maybe try a shirt with your scent on it (one you don't care much about) and put it in the crate? |
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chaelaa
Ontario
MH
Posts:62
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| 04/22/2011 5:31 PM |
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Polarbear, by "downstairs" I meant on the main floor. My house is three levels and my bedroom is on the third floor. Most of the action happens on the main floor anyway. And I did not mean to put him downstairs just so I don't have to hear him...the reason why I'm keeping him in my room is so I can hear him & I don't want to move him from my bedroom until I know he can sleep through the night without waking.
Smylinacha, I think I'll try the worn tshirt trick! I've done it with bearded dragons in the past with success so I don't know why I didn't think of it for my pup!
Thanks so much everyone for your input |
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- Michaela |
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EMack
Toronto, Ontario
SH
Posts:54
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| 04/22/2011 5:55 PM |
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| Stanley is now 9mo and he had similar issues at the same age as your pup. If you are consistent and don't let him out when he is fussing, this will pass. Have you tried covering the crate? That practically solved Stanley's insecurities about being left alone for short time periods when he was younger. He has done very well with his crate, but I recently discovered Crate Games and we've been playing them every other day or so. He now LOVES his crate! It's amazing how the techniques in these games have transferred value to his crate. I wish I had known about this DVD when he was your pup's age! Good luck, things will get better! |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3155
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| 04/23/2011 5:45 AM |
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yes the t-shirt is great I have always done that with my pups from day one....I make sure I wore a grubby old t-shirt the day I picked them up and I would love them and hold them in it all day...then that night I would put that t-shirt in their cage...
I have heard good and bad about covering the cage the bad is some dogs will pull the cover in and rip it up and eat it which can be dangerous....then other dogs like it and leave it alone, so if you do cover the cage don't go far for too long so you see how your dog handles the cover... |
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chaelaa
Ontario
MH
Posts:62
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| 04/23/2011 6:19 PM |
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| I tried covering his crate starting this morning and I have to say, it has definitely made a difference! He doesn't fuss as much when I leave and quiets a little quicker...still working on the quieting... we have been going for hour long walks through fields & basic obedience daily to work out some energy so he is too pooped out to fuss in his crate!! |
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- Michaela |
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