[RSHANNING]

When we first brought Sierra home she would go into her crate and sleep great as long as the door was open. Now at night she will cry for about 15 mins and then fall asleep and then in a couple hours she will wake up I take her out to go potty and then she starts all over again with the crying. Then about 1 hour or so after that she will wake up and start. I ignore it and she falls asleep and then wakes up within the next two hours to start her day.

She would sleep in there during the day the first and 2nd day during the day with the door open. Sometimes she would fall asleep out on the floor and I would put her in there and shut the gate. Now she doesn't want to go in there at all. If put a treat in there she will go in eat the treat and then want right out. It breaks my heart when she cries. I know I need to leave her in there.

Sonja

 

[BeauShel]

It is hard but it will get better. Maybe you can make her a little kong with stuff to tempt her during the day and close the door so she can see it is a great place.

 

[GoldenJoy]

Ian Dunbar suggested a great idea that worked for us: put yummy food in a Kong or other toy (we used a little PB with her kibble in a Kong) and put it in the crate. Make sure she sees and smells the food, but DON'T let her in! We would close the door, and then Joy would sit outside whining to get IN! As soon as she was quiet and made eye contact with me, I'd open the door and let her in. 4 months later, she still looks eager every time she goes in the crate!

 

[Nicole74]

I found it eaiser to crate train Bailey during the day. It also helped with fewer accidents in the house. I never opened the door unless she was quiet. Bailey loves her crate now and always goes in on her own for her naps.