3 month old puppy refuses to come out of the kennel. Any suggestions?

Question

Just got a 3 month old Alaskan Malamute puppy yesterday. It took a lot to get her into the kennel but now that she is in there we can't get her out without pulling her. She stayed in the kennel for close to 8 hours without crying or barking or even attempting to tell us that she had to go to the bathroom. This morning we checked her and she still had not gone to the bathroom, so we took the entire kennel outside and hoped that she would go out on her own. When she didn't we pulled her out and took the kennel away. While I'm glad she feels safe in the kennel I want her to feel safe inside the entire house.

Any suggestion as to what I can do to help her feel more comfortable in this process?

Answer 1

Love on her! We just adopted a dog from the shelter and his crate his is safe zone also. In the mornings when I get up and am getting the girls ready I just leave the door open and he comes out when he's ready, (he won't come out just yet when called). I'm sure when your new pup gets comfortable in her new home she'll come out all the time! Best of luck!

Answer 2

Let her have her space. She is obviously terrified right now and forcing her out of the kennel is not going to make her feel safe and comfortable with you guys. Leave the kennel door open and put some food and water OUTSIDE the kennel but where she can easily see and smell it. Spend some time petting her and talking to her soothingly while she's in the kennel. She just needs time to feel bonded with you. I do understand you don't want her to potty in the house but if she's not eating or drinking water then sh e probably wo n't need to go. If she does go in the kennel then maybe start getting her out of it and going outside. If this process I've been writing is more then just another day or so then I would go back to how you have it now with her not getting the kennel at all. But try my suggestions first... you don't want to force her to do things because that will scare her more.

Answer 3

Leave the door open on the kennel, but let her have her time.  

If she has not pottied in 2 days, then I would take her to the vet.  You should schedule a vet appointment within 3 days of ownership anyways.  If you have a health guarantee from the breeder, this may be a requirement.  If not, it's just good sense to make sure your dog is as healthy as the salesman told you.

Answer 4

well what i would do is leave the door open if she still has not come out in couple hours. Try giving her a treat. if she comes out of the kennel andtakes the treat praise her so that she know that it ok. if she stays in there for two days without going to bathroom take her to vet.

or if she has a favorite toy see if she will come out when you try offer the toy.

Answer 5

Hug your puppy close to your body, with both arms wrapped around her. Let her feel that you are protecting her. Walk around the house with her, and outside with her, still held tightly in your arms. Spend about a half hour doing this, or until she sees something and wants to get down and go explore it. Do this at least once a day, several times is better. This method takes patience but she will always feel secure in your presence and will only seek the shelter and safety of her kennel when you are not around, which is ideal.

Answer 6

I think your animal is extremely nervous and is in need of extreme levels of reassurance and cuddles- you say she's three months old 0 so it seems either she is not quite the age you think she is or she is an exceptionally emotional animal....if there is one caregiver to this dog in the family then perhaps that person can (almost) carry the dog with them everywhere they go - even to the toilet!  This will make her feel she is not alone, she has her protector/defender with her.- almost mothering her ...she will also then pick up on the scents and smells in the house, the location of different rooms, the people in the house, the different activities going on and by being with the caregiver all the time can pick up on how the caregiver responds to all of these things.... she will note and learn these and they will help her to trust things are ok and safe.... everytime she shows a little courage her caregiver (and anyone else around) should give her lots of praise and cuddles and then a treat .... this will reinforce her courage and behaviors in a positive manner.....if she still hasn't used the toilet facilities then I would ask is she eating or drinking at all?  If not then you need to find ways of encouraging her... even if it means spoon feeding her for a while!.and perhaps a check up at the vet - it may be physical that she is responding like she is ... Another suggestion to help calm her down is find out from the vet or the pet shop (or a health store) what herbal remedies are available to help shy and nervous animals ... try this as welll..... I would also give her her kennel back at night, just block it off during the day so she can't get in there ......

Answer 7

You didn't mention where you got her. From what you wrote it leads me to believe her first 3 months of life have been very scary for her.

I would leave the crate door open and just let her be. At this point I wouldn't attempt luring her out with food, treats or toys. Let her decide when she comes out. I'd give her a couple of days to just hang out around the house and I wouldn't interact with her too much. Occasional pat on the head is ok but I wouldn't attempt any cuddle sessions.

I also suggest you get her checked out. If she's staying in there that long and not using the potty, something is wrong.

You don't know if she's been locked in a cage for hours (or days) at her preivous home and that is why she wants to stay in there or maybe where she came from they physically or verbally abused her and just isn't sure about her new home. I'm sure in a week or two she'll come around.

We have a 6 year old dog who was a  puppymill rescue when she was 4 months old. It took us almost 6 months to finally get her to act like a normal dog. She was kept confined so she wasn't used to roaming free and the open space made her extremely nervous. We didn't force our "love" on her instead we allowed her to come to us for affection.

Now here we are and she is the most outgoing, loving and sometimes crazy dog she was meant to be.