[odie from san diego]

hi, we just adopted odie from the shelter. he is a 2.5-3 yr old boxer beagle mix. housetrained (a couple of accidents, but he is still just getting his new surroundings figured out), and a very good dog overall. we are in obedience training (mostly for his owners) but we are having a bit of trouble with crate training. he is very food motivated, and we can get him in, but he whines and cries when we leave him in there and leave the house. we did not plan on him being a crate dog, so the first few days were sleeping in our room in his doggie bed, and confined to the guest room while i went to work. i work close, and only left him for 3-4 hours with plenty of toys. we have been walking a lot (2 hrs/ day)

i am hoping that he will get better at this (we have only had him a week and a half) and my wife and i have been working really hard with clicker training and positive reinforcement ( we are both off this week between xmas and new years)

any recomendations/ words of wisdom/ encouragement for his poor owners? thanks!

[Gingersmom]

Try giving him a treat toy you know the toys that you can fill with treats that way he will have something to keep him busy while he is in the crate. I use to give kongs filled with low fat peanut butter or frozen yogurt to dogs that I use to foster to help them with the crate training. Good luck and thank you for adopting!

Kindest Regards,
Amanda

[Yogi]

You may also consider feeding him in his crate at feeding time allowing for some privacy this helps in giving the dog a sense the crate is a good place. Also, placing a piece of your old clothing with your scent helps ensure in the dogs mind that you are still near. Covering the crate at night or day when gone reduces anxiety. When dogs cannot see they are less distracted. Never use the crate though for discipline as it sends a mixed signal. I crate train all my pups before they leave and have rescues that I have crate trained at 10 and 11 years of age that have never been in a crate before they came to me and all adjusted within a matter of a few days. At bed time, they usually will go to their crate on their own knowing they will get a biscuit once in. Good luck and just be patient.

[Taming Rover]

Feeding in the crate and giving treats in there is a great idea so he associates the crate with good things.
Also make sure you bring your dog for a good walk or even a run to drain some of his energy before he's going to be in the crate for a stretch, and then again take him for another walk once you get home. If he has got pent up energy he will be more likely to whine and cry and try to get out whereas if he's tired he will most likely whine for a few minutes and then go to sleep.
Try not to let him out when he is whining because that sends the message that if he whines you will let him out. If he starts whining when you get home try to just wait a few minutes for a lull, even 30 seconds, in the crying and then let him out so he starts to get the idea that he gets what he wants by being quiet and calm.
Be patient he will get used to it ;o)