The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

I have an almost 10 week old puppy that i have had for a week. I have 2 crates. I daytime one in teh livign room and a smaller one for bedtime. When we first got him he would run and jump in his daytime crate and play and nap (kept the door open). I got him on a Saturday and had lots of accidents all weekend despite tons and tons and tons and tons of walks. I worked from home Monday and he slept all day on me. In fact all weekend he was attached at the hip to me. Where i went, he went. Tuesday I took the day off and put him in the daytime crate for 2.5 hours and he peed. From Tuesday on, when I put him in the crate he barks, and whines and yowls. He whimpers some at night, but if i sit next to him he calms down and then i can get in bed.

Any suggestions on how to get him to calm down when he in in there? I work outside the home so he will be in it for about 3 hours at a time when he is potty trained. I come home at lunch and let him out.

Hi: Welcome to the forum

First, read this:

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5262&p=64641#p64641

Know that you are not alone. It's HARD work to crate train a baby.

Are you feeding him in the crate? Sometimes that helps him to associate the crate with a "good" place. Have you read the crate training article stickied at the top of the Training section? It's very helpful and should help you start a regular schedule with him. Take a look and see if there's anything you could be doing that you aren't doing. Really, it just takes time when they are that young, and a lot of them will really test you to see if you'll "rescue" them when they begin to squall. If he's a little Velcro dog, like most cockers, wait until he falls asleep and gently put him in his crate. You can leave the door open, but he'll wake up in there and it's a start.

a pup can't hold it for 2.5 to 3 hours or that has been my finding. I always took mine out every 20 to 30 mins and they pottied 99% of the time when going out. Even then you will have an accident now and then until they are older/bigger. I don't crate so I'm not much help there, otherthan to say, it takes time for them to get used to it or their new surroundings. I might suggest to always offer a treat when going into the crate

I take my fosters out every hour when I am home until I know they are housetrained/and know the doggie door routine. I make pottying outside a party, we are excited and all the dogs go out and they all get treats when they come back in. (my dogs love this part of having dog guests)