New puppy won't come out of crate, is she sick?

[trollnorsk]

Hi there,

We just got a sweet 7 week old English Mastiff this weekend. We are intending to crate train her. She has been sleeping in her crate at night, with some long howls and cries. But she does not want to come out of her crate when we need to take her out. She goes in and lies down and just looks at us with those sad puppy eyes. I have tried enticing her wih a treat, but I want her crate to be a good place, and not force her out too often. Is she sick? Or just adjusting to a new home? I am stumped! I am also still trying to figure out which vet to take her to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[dujac]

give her time

 

[musicdeb]

She's stressed from the change in environment. Give her time like dujac said. Does she have a blanket and stuffed animal in her crate so she can snuggle, like she did with her siblings? It can also help to add something with white noise near her crate, i.e. ticking clock, soft music. Does she have chew toys in her crate? Nylabone, wet wash cloth, rope, etc

 

[DennasMom]

When trying to get her out, don't tell her "it's ok" to be afraid or shy... try to help her gain confidence and trust by being patient with her. Just open the door to the crate and sit down on the floor a foot or so away with the treat near you... wait for her to wake up and want to come see what it is you're doing there. Your calm confidence in her abilities will help her come around.

Maybe see if you can create a binky for her (see PDF explanation here: http://www.aocb.com/training/literature).

I agree with the others, that she's still trying to figure out what her new life is all about... and will need some time to adjust, too. How does she do over night? Does she whine to go potty? Does she try to not leave the crate then, too?

How about during the day - is she getting over-stimulated with people and stuff, and this is her way of letting you know she needs more 'alone' time to let it all sink in?

Just some thoughts... I think it's good she sees the crate as a safe place, and agree you don't want to be dragging her out of it... Does she get any snuggle/nap time outside the crate?

Our puppy slept in her crate during the night, but after her last morning potty break (normally about an hour before the alarm was set to go off), she got to stay out - and up on the bed with us... which created a different issue... but we all got our puppy snuggles in that way.

 

[trollnorsk]

Thank you all, Tina: she doesn't want to come out of her crate at night either, even though she whines to go potty. I grab her by her scruff, should I keep doing this? I know she has to potty and it is like 2:30 in the morning.

 

[Seanndenise]

Just get her out and carry her around, she is just a baby.

Pups don't like loud noises either, if you have kids let em know that loud noises scare em.

I have a new pup and he thinks he's the roughest thing on the block till he snaps a twig stepping on it.

I took my pup for a ride the other night, same story, he was terrified , howling whimpering LOL as soon as I dragged him outa the truck he was back to his old self.

Your dog is just scared, reach in there and make him part of the family.

---------- Post added at 05:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:40 PM ----------

Thank you all, Tina: she doesn't want to come out of her crate at night either, even though she whines to go potty. I grab her by her scruff, should I keep doing this? I know she has to potty and it is like 2:30 in the morning.

I don't grab dogs by their skin, I grab em from underneath and carry em like a kid.

I know their parents grab em by the scruff but I'm sure if they had hands they would carry em like I do.

It's just like having a baby isn't it ? All those late night changes.

My pup over a weeks time seems to be able to hold his pee longer , we haven't noticed any wet spots in his crate lately.

We have been taking him outside a lot , at least 15 times a day and he pees nearly every time.

This morning I was too slow getting my shoes on and he let go on the back door rug, my fault, I got him to stop and then he finished outside. I look at it as a learning experience for both of us

Your pup will be runnin around chewing everything she can get her mouth on in no time, just gotta let her know that she's part of the family and nobody's gonna hurt her .

 

[Seanndenise]

Thank you all, Tina: she doesn't want to come out of her crate at night either, even though she whines to go potty. I grab her by her scruff, should I keep doing this? I know she has to potty and it is like 2:30 in the morning.

Double post