Safe Luxury

How do I get my puppy to realize her crate is a safe home for her?

I just got a 8 week old Yorkie/Toy Fox Terrier mix and brought her home yesterday. I was able to crate her for a while last night (about 5 hours) and she took a nap in the crate with the door open. Today I put her in for about 15-20 minutes with the door closed and she cried a bit at first, but I didn't hear anything from the bedroom. Later today I had to run a quick errand so I crated her and she cried the whole time I was gone. Right now she is sitting in her crate with the door open and seems fine. How do I get her to know its ok to be in there with the door closed?

Public Comments

1. Feed her in there, put pleasant things in there, like a blanket, or even better a dog bed. Keep all her toys in there. It takes some time to get used to, but don't give up because a crate is a VERY useful tool. Don't close the door unless she is relaxed. Gently shut it, then reward heavily, with something DELICIOUS, like chicken...just make the crate a postitive place to be, and work up closed-door time.
2. put a blanket or a small toy in there with her, if that doesn't work get a bigger crate and sleep in it with her for a few nights
3. Take off the "ship to China" label.
4. i have 2 dogs, both were puppies when i got them. to start off, u should show her that its ok by giving her a treat when she is in the crate with the door closed. She should pick up on the fact that it would be good and she can get a treat if she goes in. Another thing that could be a factor is that she may be homesick. She may miss her mother still and is still getting used to her surroundings. And she may also miss you and she wants to follow you so thats why she doesn't like the door closed. Because she knows she can't follow you. My suggestion is just to keep at it and try to stay positive with her and be patient.
5. Well, you just brought her home yesterday, so you can't expect the Puppy to automatically adjust. Be patient. Sounds like she is doing fine so far. You should make sure there is a soft blanket and a couple durable chews in there for her, and would be VERY important if you had a piece of blanket or something with her Mother's scent on it as it is very soothing for Puppies as they make the transition from Mom/Litter Mates to being your Pup. The Puppy has spent 8 weeks with Mom and other siblings. She became socialized then and bonded, she will be going through some normal adjustment trials, but, as I shared, you can ease these for her. But, as I said, she sounds like she is doing great. Good Luck! Saturday in the Park! ***ADDED*** Do Not Feed your Pup in the Crate. This is "her" space and safe haven. If she gets confused now with eating in there, she will not eat real normal for you from a bowl. Verbal approval and encouragement will do more for her than treats. She will learn that what she does good is rewarded with a soothing voice. Much handier and better than a treat all the time.
6. As stated, feeding her in the crate will make all the difference in the world. Around here it is not uncommon to have a crate bounce off the wall at dinner time. All the dogs hit their crates at a full run, like it's a race or something. Maybe they think, first one in gets fed first or something.
7. how can i train you to stay in a cage while I'm gone....what could i do to make you like it?....sorry, not trying to be rude, just make people think...i know a lot of people do this, for THEIR convince and think it is not only acceptable, but a good thing....look at your puppy...does this look like a good idea?...your puppy is crying because is does not want to be put in a cage...nothing does, find another way....i know you are protecting your carpets and it takes awhile to train a puppy, but i really believe that people need to make a decision...have a dog or care about your carpet....at the very least, use a gate to keep the puppy in an area without carpet while you are gone. look at how your puppy reacts to things...they are like small children, they are innocent, pure and their reactions are real...respond accordingly....good luck...to your puppy.