[MissBri]

So I just brought Siri home on Saturday. She's an 8 week old Pom.

Training her has been ridiculous, but obviously it's way early so I'm not worried too much about that. That issue is she just has too much energy to focus, in case someone had tips about that.

My real question: The lesson I'm trying to teach is you won't die if you have to be in your crate for an extended period of time. She doesn't have a problem with her actual crate, as she doesn't mind being in it. So right now I have her in her crate, where I've kept her since about 11am. (It's 3pm now). I don't have it quartered off so she has a lot of space. I put her puppy pad in there, along with food and water and toys. She'll be good for a little while and then get up and start whining and doing this ridiculous sound that sounds like a baby mixed with a cat crying and then eventually go to sleep. I'm in the room with her (so I know she's not injured or anything) but I'm ignoring her so hopefully she will learn that her crying won't get her out, especially if I'm not home.

Is that mean?

PS I have one of those little mesh exercise pens on it's way, so that's really where she'll be on the long days.

 

[spotted nikes]

Yes, because at 8 weeks she needs to go out and go potty about every 2 hrs, and after eating, sleeping, and playing. A potty pad if they aren't trained to it means nothing.

Look up "Crate Games".

I wouldn't take her out/give attention when she cries, but she is probably lonely and needs some attention.

 

[MissBri]

Oh ok. Understood.

So what would be the best method of teaching her to be in her crate, possibly for extended periods and be ok with it?
I've read so many different things. Some people say ignore them. Others say don't ignore them because it might scare them/traumatize them even more. I suppose that's the bad thing about doing TOO much research.

She might like the pen a bit better, hopefully!

 

[juliemule]

A tip for being too energetic... Less crate time.

 

[juliemule]

The crate is fine, just work her up to longer time periods. Example, feed, potty break, play potty break, when she is ready for a nap, use the crate. She will associate it with comfort and relaxing.
If you use a pad in the crate, she will think its ok to go there, and will be something you won't want later on. The pen would be ok to use the pad for emergencies, but again its best to take them out to enforce potty training.
Be patient with the training, she is a baby, though you can start basics like sit and here now.

 

[hanksimon]

A little more detail - It sounds like she is OK in the crate. Time how long she stays before crying, then 10 -15 min. before she cries, take her out, let her go potty, and then play with her for 30 min.

If she whines before you can take her out, then take her out to go potty. If she has to pee, then she will pee within 30 seconds of going into the yard. If she has to poop, she may sniff all over, so put her on leash and stand in one spot for 5 min. Then take her back in and put her back into the crate. Clearly, you'll have to modify this suggestion to make sure you take her out about every 2 hours or so.

And, I'm not sure if it was clear, but do not put the pad into the crate. Part of potty training is that the pup learns to whine when she wants to go out.

 

[chubby]

Agreed! Just take it gradually, and don't put her in there for lengthy periods of time without her being comfortable with that. Start with just briefly closing the door, and then work your way up. If she does whine/cry because she's particularly stressed/anxious/over energetic (as long as you know she doesn't need to pee/poo), then ignore her completely (don't look at her, talk to her, walk to her, etc). She will learn that it gets her nowhere. Eventually, you'll know you're doing a good job when she starts to go there voluntarily to rest/nap time, etc.

Always have safe delicious chew toys for her when she's in there so she's not bored out of her skull. It should be just big enough for her to stretch it, turn around, and stand up. Any bigger, and she may have accidents in there more frequently.

At 8 weeks, I wouldn't have her in the small confinement crate for more than an hour or two (tops). If you have a larger exercise pen, that's good for long term confinement (ex. 4 hours), and you can put a pee pad in there if you're going to be away during that time, but definitely don't put a pee pad in the short term confinement crate.

It took my dog 8 months to be accustomed to the crate because she absolutely hated it since she was 8 weeks old. Now she goes in there without a fuss, and can relax in there knowing she will eventually be let out. She's a bit of an extreme case, so hopefully your dog will get used to it in a few weeks.

 

[MissBri]

Thank you so much everyone!

Your comments are all very helpful.

I noticed she hadn't even used to the pad, which now explains her incessant whining. She DEFINITELY didn't want to go in her crate. So, now that we have that all cleared up, hopefully it'll be smooth(er) sailing. It'll be baby steps from here.

I've come to the conclusion she's just super needy. Lol. My friend came over, I let her out to her excitement of course. Once she got done running back and forth a couple of times and pottying, now she's whining because she wants to be picked up.

On a good note, when she can't be picked up and she's done crying, she'll just come sit next to my feet quietly. I think that's good behavior. Too bad she starts whining even when she is picked up. Smh.

 

[Kyllobernese]

That seems like a long time for an 8 week old puppy to be in a crate. Are you letting her go on the pee pad in the crate? I have a now 11 week old puppy and since she was 8 weeks, I have her in a small pen with newspaper at one end and her food, bed, water at the other end. It is where I can see it at all times and if I see her sniffing around, I take her outside but if I am not home, she can use the newspaper and still uses it during the night. (I use newspaper as she just tears up the puppy pads). In another couple of weeks, I will put her in a crate alongside the bed during the night. She gets lots of playtime both inside and outside and quite happily goes back into her pen once she has done her zoomies outside. She sometimes gets a little noisy in her pen but I will just stand there, not say anything, until she sits quietly, give her a treat, then take her outside.

 

[MissBri]

Sorry for the RealTime Updates Buuuut:

So we put her crate in the room with us after letting her run around and play for a bit. She FLIPPED OUT.
Like completely lost it, to the point I thought she was going to hurt herself jumping all over the place trying to get out. First time she's ever reacted that way. Completely unacceptable. Is this from being in all day? Or the fact that she's spoiled and could see us and wanted to be out?

Either way, when a puppy is freaking out that way what is the appropriate response?
Obviously I don't want her to think a tantrum will get her her way, but at the same time, I wouldn't want her to hurt herself or have a panic attack or whatever the doggy equivalent is. Tips?

 

[thetoro]

Sorry for the RealTime Updates Buuuut:

So we put her crate in the room with us after letting her run around and play for a bit. She FLIPPED OUT.
Like completely lost it, to the point I thought she was going to hurt herself jumping all over the place trying to get out. First time she's ever reacted that way. Completely unacceptable. Is this from being in all day? Or the fact that she's spoiled and could see us and wanted to be out?

Either way, when a puppy is freaking out that way what is the appropriate response?
Obviously I don't want her to think a tantrum will get her her way, but at the same time, I wouldn't want her to hurt herself or have a panic attack or whatever the doggy equivalent is. Tips?

My pup still goes crazy every now and then when I crate him. It generally seems that he only does it when he knows I'm supposed to be home (like if I have to go to the store after work). When I first started crating him and he went absolutely nuts I also was worried that he'd hurt himself. He never did. He broke the crate though.

Honestly, I'd say it's because you were there. If I put my pup in the crate while I'm home he goes nuts as well. He's used to it while I'm at work but if I'm home and he can see me he goes crazy (if the door is locked). Alot of times, if I just leave the door open, he'll go in the crate on his own and lay down.

 

[xxxxdogdragoness]

Also it helps to learn your pups different cries, I have found thru experience that every pup has a "I have to potty ... NOW" cry & a "I'm throwing a tantrum bc I don't want to go to bed" cry, it pays to learn the diffErence . Just like dogs have different growls, to this day Josefins whines when she has to pee, infant explain it I just know "that" whine .

 

[thetoro]

Also it helps to learn your pups different cries, I have found thru experience that every pup has a "I have to potty ... NOW" cry & a "I'm throwing a tantrum bc I don't want to go to bed" cry, it pays to learn the diffErence . Just like dogs have different growls, to this day Josefins whines when she has to pee, infant explain it I just know "that" whine .

Oh yeah. Absolutely. Good advice. My dog's the exact opposite. When he uses a deep bark he has to potty. The high whinny bark just means "let me out".

 

[xxxxdogdragoness]

Thank you so much everyone!

Your comments are all very helpful.

I noticed she hadn't even used to the pad, which now explains her incessant whining. She DEFINITELY didn't want to go in her crate. So, now that we have that all cleared up, hopefully it'll be smooth(er) sailing. It'll be baby steps from here.

I've come to the conclusion she's just super needy. Lol. My friend came over, I let her out to her excitement of course. Once she got done running back and forth a couple of times and pottying, now she's whining because she wants to be picked up.

On a good note, when she can't be picked up and she's done crying, she'll just come sit next to my feet quietly. I think that's good behavior. Too bad she starts whining even when she is picked up. Smh.

Also keep in mind that she is still a baby, so whining is the way she would communicate her needs to her mother whatever they might be, of course mother is much better at deciphering those whines then we are, but you can GET better by knowing your doggy. When Izze was alive I know her different barks for different things . Buddy & Josefina don't bark unless there is something there... Period. They are pretty quiet dogs.

 

[Pawzk9]

The rule of thumb is a puppy can hold his urine age in months, plus one. So, your puppy should be able to hold it for 3 hours. I wouldn't expect a puppy that age to hold it 5 hours, unless your goal is to teach her to pee in her crate.l

 

[swellmomma]

I understand crate training her so she will be okay in it when you work but when you are home in teh same room as her why does she need to be in it? Puppy wants to be close to you, and 30 minutes of playtime for every 4-5 hours in the crate seems obsurd to me. No wonder she flipped out, she just spent 80% of her day in the crate and now you are putting her back in for the night. I know my puppy likes to be close to me most of the day. generally just hanging out/dozing by my feet or playing with a toy close by. I could see including the crate in my training time with her and lengthening her time in it if I used one (I don't) but why keep her in one for 4 hours in the middle of the day? I am genuinely curious here since I don't use a crate with my puppy.

 

[Mheath0429]

I have to ask, did you research Pomeranians at all before you got a puppy? They are naturally energetic dogs, and on top of that you have an 8 week old puppy on your hands. I think it would be very unrealistic for you to think that your puppy would be docile.

On another note, have you done any reading about crate training? You can't leave a puppy in a crate for hours. In fact, most of the time my 12 week old Siberian Husky can't even make it half hour between breaks if he gets riled up. Believe me, he is much bigger than your pom.

I think it would be in your best interest to read this book http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Dog-Training-For-Dummies-3rd-Edition.productCd-0470600292.html - It seems that you are unprepared to deal with a puppy, much less an energetic noise maker such as the pom.

 

[RegiaPutri]

1. 8 weeks pup is still a baby, you just took her in to a place where she never been to..so needy, scared, whines, etc are normal.
2. Crate training 4 - 5 hours = big mistake ( I learned from mine ). Just like everyone has said, crate is a place where a dog needs to feel safe and relaxed. By doing this, only going to make your pup feel like in a prison, thus once she's out she would never go back in again.
3. Potty training is different than crate training. Learn what's your goal and do schedule; meal --potty -- play --potty -- crate (nap time) -- potty, repeat.
4. When you are home and can't supervise her, thus you put her in the crate, try turn the tv a little bit loud. I did this, for some reasons I thought he would felt less lonely/scared by hearing people voice from tv..and frankly it worked for me. If he would still whine a little bit, then I clap my hands just to starled him.
5. At night time, I gave mine a treat once he is in his room (his crate)..until he is sure that his room is safe, then I stop his treats. At first he would whines, but that only last like 10 minute tops.
6. Throw in some toys inside the crate.
7. Be patience

 

[Abbylynn]

So I just brought Siri home on Saturday. She's an 8 week old Pom.

Training her has been ridiculous, but obviously it's way early so I'm not worried too much about that. That issue is she just has too much energy to focus, in case someone had tips about that.

My real question: The lesson I'm trying to teach is you won't die if you have to be in your crate for an extended period of time. She doesn't have a problem with her actual crate, as she doesn't mind being in it. So right now I have her in her crate, where I've kept her since about 11am. (It's 3pm now). I don't have it quartered off so she has a lot of space. I put her puppy pad in there, along with food and water and toys. She'll be good for a little while and then get up and start whining and doing this ridiculous sound that sounds like a baby mixed with a cat crying and then eventually go to sleep. I'm in the room with her (so I know she's not injured or anything) but I'm ignoring her so hopefully she will learn that her crying won't get her out, especially if I'm not home.

Is that mean?

PS I have one of those little mesh exercise pens on it's way, so that's really where she'll be on the long days.

I use the crate with: a bed inside, food bowl, water bowl, safe toys, something safe to chew on.

Being your pup is such a baby yet some crying is expected and also the newness of the whole adventure period. Just remember that even tiny pups need exercise by playing outside their crates or they become anxious and stressed out.

I take my pups/dogs out to go potty every 2 hours at the most ... but generally like to take them out every hour when they are this little. I take them out after they eat or drink a lot, wake up from a nap, or play. I like to play with them for 30 minutes before returning them to their crate. I then put them into the crate and give them a small treat such as a biscuit so they associate the crate with all good things. It is also a good idea to put a kong toy with a few kibbles in it for them to keep busy with .... which also stimulates their little brain. Their brain is a sponge right now at this age. Once again ... a positive experience. Every experience in that crate should be made positive.

If you know your pup has eaten and is full and has gone potty and got to play for a bit and then begins to whine after you put him in the crate ... ignore. When the pup gets quiet ... praise and take out of the crate. The pup will eventually learn that being quiet is the only way out. Finding the balance in your personal situation is the key.

Good luck ... and remember you have just a baby yet. It takes time and patience and all will fall into place if you work hard and try the best you can with positive reinforcement.

Oh ... and congratulations on your new addition!

 

[hanksimon]

As as guideline, Not a rule... attempt to give her attention or to pick her up, before she whines, and attempt to ignore her when she is whining. This is really hard to do in practice, b/c lots of times, the whine is informational - gotta go to the bathroom, hungry, itchy, lonely, and so on.

My 11 yo still whines... but he does it when he needs to go out, when I've waited too long to feed him, or when his ears itch b/c of a yeast infection, and so on. He will pester me for attention, but he doesn't whine for that. So, I know that when he whines, he needs something at that moment.... and I can ignore him otherwise ... yeah, right!