Crate Training new puppy help.

[Nebulasmum]

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Hi,

This is a long one, appologies in advance.

We got an 11 week old German Shepherd puppy on weds, Her name is Nebula . We got her a crate as me and my partner are out working, luckily im on holiday this week to help settle her. She goes in her crate all the time by herself (its in the living room) and she seems to like it and belive she thinks its her safe place or give me peace place lol. At night however as soon as i leave the room she whines and whines and whines. The first night was not too bad, she whined because she had an accident in the cage (that was to be expected) i cleaned it up and she went straight back in and went to sleep, she whined again at 3.50 but as soon as she saw me she calmed down and went back to sleep again. Last night we had moved the cage into the hall as this is where we intend on her being when we are both at work, as soon as i put her in it last night she fell asleep, but as soon as i left she was whining bloody murder, she got so upset that when i let her out she pooped on the carpet. I settled her and tried a good few times during the night but it was like she was screaming. Ive figured that she must feel more safe in the living room as there's more light from the street even when the lights are out so ive moved it back in this morning. I had slept on the couch all night with her in a bed by the couch and she was great, she let me know when she needed a wee and i took her out. No issues with her. My fear is about leaving her on tues when we are both back at work. Anyone got any tips of leaving her in her crate and getting over the whining. We aren't out all day most she will be by herself is 2.5hours we are both home at lunch, me for an hour and partner for an hour and a half then my partners back home 2 hours later. Ive read a million threads, all saying different things and was just hoping to speak to someone to see what their experience was and any tips. I want to do the tough love training, she's going to be a big dog and i want her to know im the leader, but also want to make her feel safe and at home if that makes sense. I know its going to be tough going for a while, i fully expexted it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JoanneF]

Tough love has its place, but not with an infant. And that's what she is.

Crate training takes a lot of time, you want her to see the crate as a good place, not to be distressed in it. If she gets upset, it is not the happy place you need it to be.

The best guide to crate training I have read was written by Emma Judson, a behaviourist who specialises in separation anxiety, for the Facebook group Dog Training Advice and Support . I can't share it here because it is too long but essentially it involves building up time in the crate with the door open so your dog never, ever feels trapped against her will.

Since she is setting better with you beside her, I'd suggest you carry on doing that. It is fine to give her all the attention she needs at this stage - it won't make her clingy and dependant; rather it will make her feel more secure and that will build her confidence.

When you go back to work, she may be anxious being alone - can you delay that at all, mbe each of you taking some leave, so you can give her more time and gradually start leaving her for 30 seconds and building up slowly? The key to avoiding separation anxiety is to return before she gets distressed.

And, please can I just add about leadership - the
pack leadership theory has been thoroughly disproven and widely discredited, even by the person who developed it. It was based on flawed conclusions drawn from poorly observed evidence. The wolf pack (and dogs are not wolves anyway, any more than we are chimpanzees) was not a real pack, and the situation (captivity rather than wild) skewed the data as their behaviour was not natural. In a true pack, the leadership is fluid depending on the circumstances.

This article explains it quite well. Debunking the "Alpha Dog" Theory - Whole Dog Journal

Nobody disagrees with boundaries and good manners, but the these can be established through training, building a mutually respectful relationship and without forcing submission from your dog. We certainly do not advocate aversive tools and behaviours.

If you think about leadership in your own life, the leaders (teachers , co-workers) that you respect earn that respect and inspire followership, they don't command or force it through wielding power 'just because they can'.

 

[Nebulasmum]

Thank you for the quick reply and recommendation. I'll give the fb group article a read.

 

[JoanneF]

Great. You might need to apply to join the group but it's worth it for their advice pages.

 

[merlina]

I totally agree that you are dealing with an infant animal so need to be really sensitive about doing nothing that will leave your puppy with phobias in later life. GSD's are really delicate when it comes to their natures. I have to be upfront and say I loathe crates apart from to keep a dog safe in the very short term. Not all dogs can ever be accustomed to them- and I've seen a few totally wrecked by their misuse. Would it be possible to have a rethink? if you can puppy-proof an area in a kitchen or utility room (solid floor, nothing that can be pulled down especially if it may be injurious) you could consider that. Maybe a radio playing very softly- mine liked Radio 4 for the voices. An open crate in such a place could just become a bed then and a retreat. You say you will need to leave your puppy when you work- then a stimulating area where the pup can play with toys, chew up cardboards boxes, exercise and use both mind and body is to my mind the very best you can do for any dog. In fact it's nothing less than a baby dog deserves.

 

[Ragsysmum]

She's only a baby. She needs the security of being near you at night at least. All ours have slept in their own dog bed at the side of ours and only disturbed us if they needed to go out for a wee during the night. Had several German Shepherds over the years and they are generally quite sensitive dogs so you need to avoid her having too much stress.