How much affection for a new pup?

scottycam · 11-16-2009, 09:23 AM

I'm in the process of SLOWLY crate training and wanted to know, how much affection should I give her? I mean, I want to hold her and play with her and comfort her, but am I giving her the wrong message when I'm trying to do all of this? It seems like I'm doing so many things at once :-(

Bugsy · 11-16-2009, 09:37 AM

Give her more praise, rather than trying to comfort her, if you're trying to introduce her to the crate. Making it a game with play is also a good way to keep it light and fun. Her crate, as you probably know, should be a happy place. Has she stepped in by herself? Are you using tasty treats thrown in there?

scottycam · 11-16-2009, 10:19 AM

Thanks Bugsy for your response!!

She has been going in and out of her crate. When she does it on her own, without saying *go to bed* I give her a few treats and praise her. As soon as I walk away, she follows me. She'll go in there as her bed is in there. When I Do close the gate, only after she is in there and settled in, she waits about a minute or two, and starts barking and crying like crazy and howling...at 3 am.

pittsabowawa · 11-16-2009, 10:28 AM

Crate training is hard. Sometimes you have to use tough love and let them cry.. once she stops crying then she can be let out. This tells her that crying will get her nothing be good behavior gets what she wants.

Try putting an old shirt with you smell on it (aka dirty) in the crate to comfort her. Other things that have been said to work are radios and old clocks (the ones that go tick tock tick tock).. they're supposed to be comforting.

Its hard but if your firm, determined, and don't give in to the crying.. you'll make it through.

Good Luck.

scottycam · 11-16-2009, 12:32 PM

so, all morning, she has been in and out with lots of praises and treats.. she's in there now sleeping.. should i do close it while she's sleeping? Also, do I want to be next to the crate while I do this or walk away?

Also, thanks for helping out!! This forum is really calming me down, not that I"m panicing or anything, just starting to get discouraged at myself.

Labsnothers · 11-16-2009, 01:11 PM

How much do you have? Spoil it rotten. Puppy breath doesn't last. I never crate a puppy when I can watch it. I haven't had to endure whining for at least the last 15 puppies. At bed time, with a new puppy, I have found lying down in front of the crate like you were going to sleep and speaking softly to it, or singing, until it settles down and goes to sleep works very well. Follow the pattern, a period of active play, outside to eliminate, and then into the crate.