Crate Training

[Ash]

Ok, so as some of you saw, I recently got a new westie/poodle mix puppy.

Supposedly, she was pretty well crate trained, but the minute we close the door on her, she starts yowling/yapping. She'll do this if you're there in the room, if you're in the next room, if you're sitting by the crate, etc. Tonight, in order to leave my house I "distracted" her with a treat (I'd taken one and broken it into a bunch of small pieces and pushed them through different holes in the crate.) I didn't hear any yapping by the time I'd made it out the door, but this isn't to say she didn't start after I left. She has a radio on, but what else can I do to make it easier for her? She has very very very bad seperation anxiety. Anytime someone walks out of line of view/goes through a door, she starts whining, even if there's other people in the room with her.

Thanks! And I plan on talking this over with the vet when she goes in for her distemper booster, but I figured I'd ask awhile here.

 

[ChilliBean]

I would get a Kong for her and stuff it with treats that are hard to get out and then peanut butter as well. That will entertain her longer than biscuits will.
You are going to need to make the crate a place she wants to be in. Start feeding her inside the crate. Start with the bowl just inside the door and when she is comfortable with that, then move it back gradually until it is in the rear of the crate. There is no need for water in there.
Make a game out of the crate. If she fetches toys, then throw them into the crate and when she gets it and returns, give her lots of praise. l
If it is a wire crate, you could try covering all sides but the front. That will make it more like a den and a more secure place for her.
Don't ever put her in it for punishment.
Practice putting her in the crate for small amounts while you are home. Start with a few minutes and if she is quiet, let her out and praise and treat. Hopefully, you will be able to practice for longer times and eventually leave the room and come back if she is quiet and repeat the positive reinforcement.
For crate training treats, I would pick something special that is ONLY given for that. String cheese or hot dog works great. Giving them a job (training, etc.) will help wear her out and make her think. If you could get into some training classes, it would really boost her self-confidence.

Ok, that is all I've got. It is going to take a lot of patience and training. Oh, you could also try one of the Comfort Zones to help calm her.

 

[mapache315]

leave for a minute, then come back. then make it 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, etc...so she knows that when you leave you come back. You also don't want to make a big deal of you leaving. That's what my bf said to do along with training...he adopted a pit from the pound that had really bad separation anxiety (completely tore open the crate, destroyed furniture etc).

 

[Ash]

Thanks guys!

 

[3CsMommy]

A mix like that may well have inherited a very high energy level from one ancestor or another. Both breeds, iirc, came from a hunting background originally. So, make sure she gets plenty of walks and other active quality time with you (not just snuggles on the couch, etc.). Keeping our small dog well-exercised has helped *so* much with her anxiety I feel bad that we didn't try it sooner. :banghead: