Need Advice on Training my puppy to use a crate!?

Question

I have a 7 week old lab. he goes into the crate no problem. But cannot fall asleep in it. I have to wait until he is just about to fall to sleep to put him in, then he stays in it for a hour. Recently i started to try and close the door, then he freaks out. Can someone help me out? Any tips are appreciated. I had dogs before but this is the first one I had that i am trying to crate train. Also For those who will get mad, I do know he is young to be away from his mom, but he had to leave for good reason. I only need advice, not to be told what i already know.

Thanks :)

Answer 1

Well here are some suggestions............

Praise...when he goes in during the day for little amounts of time and settles even for a few minutes praise and give a little treat.

Blanket, make it nice and snug, some toys,leave the radio on, there are mnay things you can buy for puppys, yes it may because he is so young.

I got my labrador at 9 weeks, he took 5 days to get settled into the crate and home, he good now :  

Answer 2

hi,

Some people worry that crate confinement is cruel, but if you do it right, your dog won't see it that way at all. His crate can be a cozy den where he retreats from household chaos or just relaxes. And once he's housetrained, your dog will have the run of the house as well as a nice little den of his own--just leave the door open for him.

here are some guidelines:

http://dogtime.com/housetraining-crate-t...

hope this helps.

Answer 3

Put a nice big cuddly toy in with him to snuggle up to.  He will be missing the warmth of his mother and litter brothers and sisters and this will help to make him feel more secure and not so alone when you leave him in his crate.  I always tell my new puppy owners to do this.

You could try leaving the door open as long as he is confined in your kitchen or a place where he can't get up to mischief and chew your belongings.   He will eventually get used to his crate and regard it as 'his place' and go in there voluntarily..

As long as you ensure that he is not hungry, he has been to potty before you settle him down for the night and he is comfortable and warm in his bed then he should be absolutely fine.   He is still very young and may need to be taken outside during the night until you can get him into a good routine but he should settle down for you soon.

Answer 4

Maybe Its Not Comfortable Try Adding some Pillows or Sumthing or Patting him till he sleeps, 2 days or 3 h**l get used to it.

Answer 5

Feed him in his crate, that way he will associate the crate with yummy things to eat

Also, you could try to put something small that smells like where he came from, or even a small item that smells like you in the crate.  Nothing big like a blanket, just a small item.

One other thing to note...how big is the crate?  Is it the small one that will feel more like a den to a pup, or is it the large one that he will grow into?  If it is the large one, block off a portion so he only has a small area.

Last, but not least, do not give up...stay consistent and continue to put him in the crate, he will get used to it.  My Collie hated it the first week, now she loves it and goes in there on her own each night before bed.

Answer 6

I had the same problem with my dog, and she only stayed in there for not even 1 second! But the truth is, you can't just put them in there and shut the door. In the beginning of the day, leave the crate door open and leave her food and water in there. Later, when you are playing with her/him, throw one of her toys in her crate. Then, once she trusts the crate more, at bed time, say, ''crate up!'' and put a treat in there and say good girl! (or boy) and keep up this whole routine for at least a week.

Hope i helped! Good Luck!

Answer 7

I had a black lab that would never be crate trained. My mistake was I treated him like a human. Put him in there for the night or misbehavior or however you do it and leave him there. The more attention he gets while whining tells him he can keep you with him, or worse he can train you to take him out. Training dogs is my hobby- not my profession though. A blanket or a toy is a nice additive, but if a child needs to go to bed would you pile a million toys on her and expect her to sleep or do you think she will play?