Hi,

We just got a new puppy 2 weeks ago, he is now almost 9 weeks old. We have been crate training him since the day he came home and he was doing very well. He would go in there when we were sleeping at night and would go in while we were at work. I have recently been having a lot of problems trying to get him back in there when I come for lunch to let him out to pee...and as of Yesterday, he absolutely REFUSES to go in his crate. He will now not go in at bed time, nor any other point during the day. He fights with me, runs out of the crate and gets very aggressive when I try to put him in. I don't know what happened why he will not go in but I have tried EVERYTHING (treats, toys, being nice, being strict, petting, lots of praise) but NOTHING works.

He is doing pretty good on the potty training and usually lets us know when he has to go and usually goes outside. He has only had a few accidents in the house so far. So I have been keeping him a spare bedroom with all his toys, blankets, open empty crate and hoping he doesn't destroy the walls, floor and/or ruin his potty training by going on the floor when and whereever he feels like it.

I need help and advice, I don't have that much trust yet to give him free roam of a larger space, What do I do? How do I get him to like going into his crate again?

[mightymite]

One thing that immediatly springs to mind is did you only put your puppy in the crate when you were away or at night or did you also put the puppy in the crate when you were home? Along the same lines, where is the crate located? Is it in a well-used area of the home, like the den or kitchen or is it in a space where nobody goes like the laundry room? Keep in mind that dogs are social/pack creatures and hate to be alone. If your dog has come to associate being the crate with being seperated from his pack, he may have developed an anxiety associated with the crate and your not being around

I agree with mightymite. Dogs are very social anamils and need to be with you. I am sure taking this advise is right on.
Good Dog Day
Karen

Please take no offense at my bold reply but when does this poor puppy get time OUT of that crate? You got him 2 weeks ago, which made him 7 weeks old and he's in a crate not only at night but during the day while you're at work?? Dogs are social creatures- at 7 weeks he was still searching for his litter mates, not a crate round the clock. That's not only isolation but think of the total lack of exercise. You're not off to a good start with your puppy...and I feel for him. The poor guy is desperate NOT to live in a crate. If you don't have the time to socialize him and make that crate a very limited holding area, maybe having a puppy won't work for you right now.

Go online and find articles on crate use. It is not meant to be a 15 hour box to leave a dog in- tons of "bad" bahviors will result if you can't change this.
Even a fenced off bathroom area would allow some room for moving around-

Sounds like your puppy is fighting being put in the crate because he is spending way too much time in there. Alot of animal research states puppies should not spend more than 4 hours in a crate. Puppies are so full of energy and need to have space to run and play. They also need social interaction as they are animals that group together in packs. How many hours are you away at work? This puppy is already been separated from his litter mates and then to be put in a cage all day and then again at night.. Even sequestered in a room would be better, though he is going to suffer from separation anxiety and maybe have problems. I do animal rescue and I cannot tell you how many crazed dogs I see due to being imprisoned inside of crates. Last dog I remember could not stop turning in circles and would howl for hours if you left it.

Just another point, your puppy is 9 weeks right? Dogs dont have very good control at that age of their urinary functions. I dont understand how you are housebreaking this dog if he is in a crate all day while you work, does he not pee all day in the crate? If you are going to continue to use a crate as a way to train you need to go about it the right way or you will end up with a neurotic pet on your hands. I think if I had to work all day, I would sequester him in a room and use pads during the day, provide toys and something to occupy him. Take the used pad and place them outside where you want him to pee and encourage him to urinate outside at that spot. As he gets older and is able to hold his urine for longer periods he will pee less during the day on the pads and be establishing the pattern of peeing outside. Make sure you praise and reward for peeing outside. Also for at night you can cut off water early in the evening, take him out before bedtime, leave the pads out and as he gets older you can phase out the crate if you still insist on using it at all. I have three dogs now and housebroke them all without a crate and they sleep in my bedroom on the floor. Good luck