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Jack hate his crate!

jamittap Jan 24, 2008 10:10 AM

We have a 6 week old Bogle pup. He has been with us for about 5 days. The good news is that we have been consistant in potty training and have kept him from having too many accidents. The bad news is that he hates his crate or other confinement area. He has barked and whined so much that he has almost lost his voice. I feel like I have tried EVERYTHING! He has a stuffed animal to keep him company, a soft blanket, white noise, we give him plenty of play and cuddle time, he can be crated in various areas around us but he still cries the whole time! He is only truely peaceful and happy curled up next to someone or on a lap. We have 4 children ages 14-5. They have been very cooperative and helpful. We also have a 3 year old Shihtzu. He is tolerant of the pup.

Replies (4)

Shboom Jan 24, 2008 06:09 PM

I have only heard of a Bogle once, you'll have to post a picture or two of your pup. 6 weeks is pretty young to be away from the mother. The standard is 8 weeks but I wish it was more like 12 weeks. Having said that you're pup is more than likely a little scared and is looking for some reassurance. Other than wanting him to get used to the crate is there a reason he is crated when you are in the room with him? Sometimes a hot water bottle filled with warm water can give a puppy the feeling that the mother is near... some use a ticking clock wrapped in a towel to simulate the mother's heartbeat.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

jamittap Jan 24, 2008 10:26 PM

If I am home I really can't spend every second playing with or holding the pup. I read that it would be ok to crate him by me when I am busy because he can't be roaming around going potty. So this is how I've been doing it: at night he sleeps in his crate. He cries so much that we put the crate in the family room downstairs. My husband and I take turns waking and taking him out to potty. At 6am we are up for the day. He gets played with, fed and cuddled for about an hour and then he is put in the gated bathroom in the hall off the kitchen so that we can all get ready for the day. He cries here too. I take him out to potty and play many times during the day and in the evening the kids are playing with him and letting him sleep by them while watching T.V. etc. I feel like I am doing everything I can, I guess age is just the biggest factor.
Thanks!

Chelle Jan 25, 2008 08:17 AM

You are doing almost everything you can- it's just a 6 week old puppy being taken from it's mom and siblings is not going to acclimate to being alone very well. The poor pup is mentally not mature enough to have those coping skills.

Is there a way you can have this puppy go back to it's family for 3 weeks and better yet- 4 weeks? That is the real solution to this. If that's not an option, you are going to have to use a leash or rope and tie this pup to you for a while. It's a way of indirectly supervising without giving free roam.

Kong toys filled with frozen plain yogart or broth, raw carrots, apple slices, potatoe wedges, and other chew items can also be used when you want the pup to settle down.

Time will help this matter, but being very consistent and not rewarding the noice by never taking him out when he's makign a fuss will also help.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

ma Jan 25, 2008 10:37 AM

I agree with Chelle's advice. I recently dog sat a pup (much older than yours, but still a puppy) who also cried, barked, whined when she was in her crate, and it really helped her to have a stuffed Kong to chew on. And she was leashed to me much of the time she wasn't in the crate. Did you get your dog from a breeder? If so, you can have the breeder rub a towel or blanket on your dog's mom and put the towel in the crate with your dog. The scent is comforting.
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