crate training, need help!

[chessie]

We adopted our older puppy from a breeder, he was raised in a kennel entire time so when we got him it was not used to the house at all and had to transition him from outside kennel to in our home. Its fine most of the time, respects the house, tells us when he has to go out. But during the night he will constantly wake us up just for the sake of waking us up at this point. We have been trying to crate train him and he whines all night, literally 6 hours, straight.

Any suggestions? Running on empty at this point, and he gets 2 runs a day from myself and DH..has free access to a few acres during the day with our other dog.

[caz1221]

How old is he and how long have you had him? It could be that he's still adjusting to the new surroundings. Also, did you introduce him to the crate gradually and make it a safe, happy place? You can give him a special treat like a stuffed kong only when he's in the crate and/or secretly leave treats in the crate so he finds them ("treat fairy").

Also, how do you react when he whines while he's in the crate? If you give him attention rather than ignoring him or let him out of the crate, he could be learning that whining = getting out and getting attention. One of our dogs was allowed to sleep in his foster mom's bed for the month he was there, so he hated the crate at first (barked/whined every night for a week). We ignored it while working on crate training, and we got a crate cover (you can use a blanket/towel over the crate as well) to make it darker and more den-like. It worked really well, and he was much happier in the crate after that.

More mental stimulation (training, tricks, treat-dispensing toys) is a great idea as well. Physical exercise is important, but I find it's best when paired with a good mental workout - my dogs are always pooped after a training class!

[chessie]

We had him since May, he is about a year now. he has been out of the crate during the night before, I just can't have him roaming around cannot be trusted. He is in the chewing stage.

When he whines, he won't pay any attention, its on the other side of the house completely. But after 5 hrs straight and no sleep I had to let him out..which equals= no sleep for me. The thing is I cant put anything in his crate cause he will chew it to shreds, tried to make it a calm place..he tore his bed into bits and kongs as well.

haven't tried the crate cover, I will have to try it..its worth a shot though.