Re: Puppy scared to be in crate

In Reply to: Puppy scared to be in crate
Posted by:  Erica
Posted on:  December 30, 2001 at 18:49:36

: Our 15 week old puppy protests constantly when she is placed in her crate. The minute we place her in there she begins to shake uncontrollably as if she's scared/nervous. Then she begins crying and whining and shaking all at the same time. At first we thought she was cold so we lined the crate with a thick terry towel. She still shakes and cries. What do we do? We think that she may think that her crate is punishment. Please help.

: Thanks,
: Erica

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Hi, Erica,

This is actually pretty typical behavior. SOME dogs really don't like the crate at first. The key to getting them to accept it is how you handle their behavior.

Dogs have such an edge on us, because they can pick up on chemical signals that we might not know we're putting out there. They can literally sense the change in us from "normal" to "emotionally charged." If you're feeling bad for your terrier while she's in the crate, she knows it. Try as hard as you can to hold back from letting her out, and also from feeling bad for her, or angry that she's crying. If she learns that a certain behavior that she exhibits will result in you allowing her out for any reason at all, she'll never stop.

We crate our terriers not only for the safety of our own home, but for their own safety as well. Not long ago, someone posted here about a terrier who chewed her way through a wire and was electrocuted. So if you think even for an instant that you're being cruel by keeping your terrier crated, think again. A crate is SAFE. It's a very good thing. :)

So, here's the key to successful crate training. Ignore, ignore, ignore. I know that sounds bad, but it's not. My trainer told me, ages ago, to turn up a radio, and tune the dog out. If he's not sick, doesn't have to go to the bathroom, and is doing no harm to himself, then he's safe in the crate and simply must learn that being in there is inevitable. (Or in your case SHE must learn.)

If you let her out when she cries, you'll find that the cries will get louder and more urgent, as she attempts to get you to do it sooner and sooner.

And also, don't use the crate as punishment, and she won't think the crate is punishment. Be sure that when you put her in there, your emotions are very calm, and never let her out when she's crying. If you do, she'll think that you're letting her out BECAUSE she's crying.

Good luck, and I hope I've helped!

Happy New Year!

Jane