AH! Why is he doing this now?!

RenaBella · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:11 am Post subject: AH! Why is he doing this now?!

Ugh!
So for the past two days, I don't know why, Benji has started to howl, whine, bark, and claw at the crate when in the crate overnight. Other than the first day, he has been great in the crate overnight until two days ago!

Any ideas what could be causing this behaviour? It's driving me nuts and its definitely not helping our crate training!

JacksMommy · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

How old is Benji now? ... It almost sounds like the onset of separation anxiety

peppernaei · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:54 am Post subject:

What has your reaction to the howling been? Are you closing the door now? How is the crating during the day going?

At his age, I would think it's just him trying to push the limits and see if you'll give in. If he doesn't have to potty, I would get ear plugs and ignore him. Sounds a bit harsh but he should settle in to a routine in no time.

SirSilver · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:01 pm Post subject:

Calvin went through that stage, too - we just put towels over the crate so he couldn't see out, and after a few nights he settled into the routine. He sounded SO pathetic - I would panic and take him outside, or try to comfort him, but really...he was just testing me. As soon as I came over to the crate he would give me this look like, "PSYCH! Hi, Mom!!"

RenaBella · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject:

He is 10 weeks old now.
His crate is right next to my bed, where it has been since he has arrived here, only two weeks ago. He was fine in the crate overnight up until two days ago, so I don't understand what's going on. The door is always closed overnight but he is 2 feet away from my bed, so he can see me without a problem. He howls and cries until he gets my attention, and then when I turn around he continues to do it. I try to ignore it as much as possible. This morning when he woke me up, I waited for him to shut up and took him out, all he did, was go snuggle on my bathroom which was on the floor and go to sleep. I'm assuming this is a crate issue.
A couple of days ago we put up a 2nd crate, one downstairs and one upstairs. The one that is in my bedroom is the one he had since the beginning, where he slept at night and during the day. But he doesn't spend the day in there anymore cause the other crate is downstairs so Im wondering if it has to do with the 2nd crate - maybe he doesn't like it? It's a used crate.

I don't know whats going on. I don't know how much more ignoring I can do!

Pinchc44 · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:

Oh, we went through MONTHS of that with out girl. She didn't have sep anxiety, she was just trying to train us. Now at the age of 3 she sleeps on a bed next to ours in our room but we had a horrible time with her. After we knew she didn't have to potty or anything we put ear plugs in. She has not problems going in her crate to this day. Keep at it, if he knows he will get you up to get him out, he will continue to do it. If he needs to go out, don't speak to him, take him out, let him potty and then put him right back in. It's hard but those Weimie's are hard headed and are persistent, Good luck, I know it's hard hearing them cry.

Christie

weimdawgs · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject:

He is just trying to get his way. Be persistent. If he wins, you lose. It isn't the start of SA...he is far to young for that. He is just beginning to test the boundaries of what he can get away with.

If you give in an inch...he will go for a mile. That is the nature of a weim...even a puppy.

RenaBella · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject:

So what do I do? just ignore it?

I get really nervous that he will injure himself. He claws at he door and bites at it and I'm scared he can injure a nail or something. I'm such a worry wart.

versatilek9s · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject:

He is testing you. The first week or two at home is a shock to him, but then his true weimness comes out. Very Happy

Every pup I've gotten was a perfect angel for the first week or two. Very few accidents, no whining in the crate, almost always slept through the night. Then they settled in.

I wouldn't worry about it at all, it's not separation anxiety starting. Keep doing what everyone's told you to do and you should be fine. There are lots of good threads about crate training.

Hang in there!

versatilek9s · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

i just saw weimdawgs post...sorry for repeating what you said! Very Happy

RenaBella · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

Phew. Im scared of separation anxiety.

What should I do about the 2nd crate? am I confusing him with two crates?

anne · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject:

What Lynn and Meredith said. He's comfortable now and is testing you. If you are scared of separation anxiety then I hope you are doing some alone training...

No you will not confuse him with 2 crates. The more he is exposed to the better. That is almost like a puppy rule...

RenaBella · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:32 pm Post subject:

weimdawgs · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject: