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Stop Crate Training Whining

Stop crate training whining with positive training techniques. It’s easy to do, but you will need to exercise patience and have great timing.

Whether you are just now starting the crate training process and your puppy hasn’t been crying too much; or you have been trying for a while and your dog won’t stop barking, you will find a solution here.

The key to successful and quiet crate training is to go SLOOOOWWWWWWLY, and to give lots of treats, never cut down on treats too soon. Toys and interactive toys are great tools to help a puppy adjust to his new den.

How slow? As slow as you need to go in order to prevent your dog from whining when he is inside the crate. Follow the steps and tips below for a happy crated dog!

Why is my dog whining so much in the crate?

The answer to this question depends on each dog’s history, but more often than not, crate training whining happens because is telling you he doesn't want to be left alone. Dogs are pack animals, they are very social and like to be with their family all the time.

In the majority of cases, crate training whining gets worse because the owner accidentally trains the dog to cry more…and more. Opening the gate of the crate while your dog is barking will reinforce this behavior and your dog will continue to bark to be let out of the crate.

5 Tips to Stop a Dog Whining in the Crate

• If your dog can whine and bark for 30 minutes or more inside the crate, you will need to start dog crate training from the beginning. But done correctly this time!

• If your dog only whines for a few minutes, then wait it out and only open the gate when your dog is completely quiet. However I still recommend you start crate training all over again.

• Never use the crate as a punishment. The crate must be the best, most wonderful place on earth to your dog. This will happen if you always give him yummy treats inside the crate.

• It is important to let your dog get inside the crate on his one. Never push a dog inside his crate, this will make the place a horrible one to be in! Tossing treats inside the crate will make your dog want to go get them. If your dog still doesn’t want to go in then feed him only inside the crate. Never close the door of the crate at this point.

• The best dog toys will only be available inside the crate! Stuffed Kongs, chew toys and pigs ears will make the crate a happy place to be in and stop crate training whining.
  

Crate training whining can be solved using really palatable treats. Dogs love most treats, but I have found that liver treats are something most dogs can't resist.

Steps to Prevent Dog Crate Training Whining

Step 1: To prevent crate training whining, put the crate out of the way but still inside a room that is usually used by the family. The living room and bedroom are the most common places to place your dog crate.

Step 2: With the most yummy treats in your hand, call your puppy and show them to him. Immediately afterwards, toss the treat inside the cage. Wait for your dog to go get it. If your pooch is reluctant, it doesn’t matter, you MUST wait for your dog to go get the treat on his own.

If your canine friend has had a really bad time with the crate, this step will be the longest one. Do not feed your dog anything else, unless it is inside the crate. Eventually he will go in…even if he doesn’t go in with his whole body.

As soon as your dog goes inside the crate (or even puts his head inside), say your marker word (Good boy!) and give him a second treat. Toss another treat outside to make him come out and repeat this step several times.

You are ready to go on to the next step ONLY when your pooch follows the treat inside the crate without fear or hesitation and he is able to get his whole body inside.

Step 3: Adding a hand signal or word command to tell your dog to “Go in” and “Out” of the crate is a great way to avoid having to push your dog inside the crate, which you should never do!

Say “Go in”, then point to the crate as you toss the treat inside. Immediately after your dog goes inside and eats his treat, say “Out” and point outside while you toss a treat on the floor outside of the crate.

Then, start adding more time between “Go in” and “Out” commands. The idea is to help your dog stay inside the crate for longer and longer periods of time. Repeat this step until you dog is able to stay inside the crate for 5 minutes and responds to the commands in a very reliable way.

Step 4: Now we are going to teach your pooch that closing the gate is just as fun as getting inside the crate! Say “Go in”, your dog goes in, close the door, toss a treat inside the crate (through the bars) and immediately after your dog eats the treat open the door and say “Out”. At this point you do not need to give your dog a treat for coming out of his crate.

Repeat many times and VERY slowly start increasing the time the gate is closed. First 1 second, then 3, 5, 8, 10, 15, etc. Once your dog can stay inside the crate with the gate closed for 5 minutes, you can start increasing the time a little faster.

Step 5: When your dog is ready to stay inside his crate for 30 minutes or more you must leave toys for your dog to pass the time. Stuffed Kongs and chew toys are great options. The amount of toys you leave inside the crate will depend on how long the dog must stay confined to his crate. The longer the time, the more toys you must leave with him. It is also very important to rotate toys daily, so your canine friend gets a new batch of toys to entertain himself.

Finally, whenever you open the door of the crate to let your dog out, take all the toys away. Your dog must learn that the best toys are only available when he is inside his crate. These is a very important thing to stop crate training whining.

You are done and crate training whining is over! Remember to be patient, the key is to go very slowly and make each step fun and rewarding to your faithful hound.

Next, I will tell you about the best crates for dogs that keep trying to escape while barking and crying.

Strong Crates to Prevent Escaping and Injuries

If your are experiencing crate training whining, chances are your hound is also trying to get out of it. The tips and steps above will help you crate train your dog and stop whining, while training is going on, it is important you provide your pet with a secure and strong crate.

If you thought that crate training whining was the worst part, you may be wrong. These dogs that cry and bark are desperately trying to escape the cage and most, in their attempt, end up with injuries that can be mild or severe. This happens when they find a small gap to use as leverage, but as they try to get more of their body through it, they get stuck, may start pulling and injuries happen.

If you have one of these dogs, the following crates have features to keep your puppy secure and prevent injuries from trying to escape out of the crate.

Precision ProValu Great Crate for all Sizes and Breeds

Precision Pet Products manufactures these high quality, heavy duty wire dog crates. They have several models: "Snoozzy Baby" for puppies, "Grate Crate" for all dogs, "Suitcase" crates for the travelling dog professional or owner and the "ProValu Grate Crate".

The ProValu Grate Crate is the one you might be interested in because of the extra-safety features:

• 5-point locking system: that takes care of any potential gap or opening at the corners of the door.

• 'Quiet Links': They are use to attach all the wire panels and reduce the rattling noise made by a squirmy dog.

• All models include a diver panel to block part of the crate for your puppy, then remove it as your puppy grows (this saves some money because you won't have to buy 2 crates).

• You can choose between a 1-door and a 2-door Precision ProValu dog crate.

• 6 sizes available shown below. Remember that the best crate size for your dog should be one where your canine can stand and turn around but not much more. So measure your dog, add a couple of inches and pick the closest size crate available.
  

	XS Precision ProValu crate 1000 19"L x 14"H x 12"W Perfect for toy and miniature breeds such as: Chihuahuas, Chinese Crested, miniature Pinscher, etc.
	S Precision ProValu crate 2000 24"L x 19"H x 18"W Perfect for small breeds such as: Cocker Spaniel, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog  etc.
	M Precision ProValu crate 3000 30"L x 21"H x 19"W Perfect for medium size breeds such as: Bulldog, small boxer, Basenji, etc.
	L Precision ProValu crate 4000 36"L x 25"H x 23"W Perfect for Large size breeds such as: Rottweiler, Labrador, Irish Setter, etc.
	XL Precision ProValu crate 5000 42"L x 30"H x 28"W Perfect for Large size breeds such as: St Bernard, Newfoundland, giant Schnauzer, etc.
	Giant Precision ProValu crate 6000 48"L x 32"H x 30"W Perfect for Giant breeds such as: Grate Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Spanish Mastiff, etc.

If you have questions about crate training whining, you can ask or share your story following this link.

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