Moon's Graden

We've had our new lab puppy for about 2 weeks.  She's 11 weeks old and is doing
very well on her training.  The problem is getting her to stop barking and
yelping when she is put in her crate at night.  She has no problem going in and
out during the day and will even go in on her own and lie down to nap at times.

At night she wants to be on the bed sleeping next to my wife.  The barking and
yelping usually lasts at least 20-30 minutes before she finally tires out and
goes to sleep.  I figured she would be over it by now and getting used to being
in there at night but so far it hasn't improved.  We do not respond to her
crying which has been difficult at times because we want to get some sleep.
She gets more than her fair share of attention and should be very tired by time
we put her down for the night.  

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  

Since she wants to sleep by your wife, what about placing something in the
crate with her that smells like your wife?  Maybe it would help comfort her.
--
Lynn, 'mom' to Samantha and Lacy May
 http://community.webshots.com/user/clynnmax

Hi
I'm not clear here, is the crate in the bedroom at night? If not, move it
in.  If crate is already in bedroom, make sure she gets a 'special toy' at
bedtimes...that is the only time she has this toy.  Give it to her for a few
minutes before lights out.  Lots of praise for playing with toy and not
'crying'.  If she cries when lights are out and you are SURE she doesn't
need to go, get up, and go over to the crate...bend over it and in your most
loud 'GOD' like voice:'What are you doing!BAD noise!' and I give my crates a
firm rapping on top-very firm.  Generally when I start to crate break
puppies, this goes on for only a few nights.
Hope this helps and hope she quiets down for you shortly.

--
Kim, Pirate Labradors
Sutton ON Canada

I can remember what you are going through.  I went through puppy Crate
trainning with Hunter about 10 months ago.  The worst part of it is,
it's that whinney whimper then followed by a few ear pearcing yaps...
I do not envy you right now =)

What we did for the crate training was to put a blanket over the
crate, that way it's darker and warmer.  Dogs are den animals, you'll
notice that when your puppy sleeps during the day she will almost
always sleep under something.  That way her back is covered, and
nothing can sneak up on her.

Then if the barking starts I rap ontop the crate everytime there is a
bark or whimper.  This method came from the book "Good Owners Great
Dogs" by Brian Kilcommons.  The idea is that puppy cannot see you
banging on the crate.  He only knows that every time he barks there is
this loud scary noise.  He will put 2 and 2 together really quick and
you should be sleeping in a matter of days.

Just remember that he will get you up to go pee...  I can't remember
the math, is it Months old plus two equals the number of hours a puppy
can go without peeing?

You've received some excellent tips already. I'll add another one. I found
that Sadie likes to listen to music. I usually have a jazz or classical
station going during the day, so when she listens to light jazz at night, it
calms her.

Consider getting your puppy a "crate entertainment system." A simple clock
radio should do.

--Chris

And another tip, in addition to those you have heard. Our puppy started to cry
the first night. We turned the light on to check on him and he stopped. We've
slept with a night light on in the room since then and he hasn't cried again.
That was 12 weeks ago.

Good luck.

<snip sleepless nights>

What worked for us is to take the t-shirt that I had worn that day, wrap a
water bottle (plastic one) that was filled with warm water in it and put it
in the corner. By the time it cooled down, he was asleep.

--
*******************************************
Marcel Beaudoin & Moogli
Remove urka-gurka to reply
*******************************************
'D'oh!' - Homer Simpson                    
*******************************************

Thanks for all the ideas.  We moved the crate into the bedroom and it solved
the problem.  She just didn't like being away from us.

We are all getting a good nights sleep now.  I really appreciate the ideas.
It's been a long time since I've had a puppy.

Thanks again.

I have a nine week yellow lab, and putting the crate in the bedroom
did the trick.  Also a long walk before bedtime.  I don't want to keep
the crate in the bedroom forever.  How long will that last?

Also, how long should the puppy be expected to walk?  She kept up the
whole time, but I don't want to overdo it.

Until she's reliable enough to be out at night--probably when she's 6-7 mos.
old.  Once she's housebroken, you can *probably* leave her loose in your
bedroom at night (I tend to hear them get into stuff).

They shouldn't be given forced exercise until they are 18-24 months of age.
Instead of walking her, play with her in the yard until she seems tired.
That way she won't injure her joints or bones.

--
Emily Carroll
http://www.geocities.com/diamonds_in_her_eyes/index.html
I collect My Little Ponies!

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