whining dog

[raggies1]

my 8 month old cross breed dog has a dog crate for when we go out as he's a chewer. he likes his cage and uses it as his own 'den' if he's tired when we're there. the problem is if we put him in it for even 5 minutes to put the baby to bed he cries, not just a bit, he wails which stops the baby going to bed so were away longer so he wails longer!! mornings can be a problem aswell, he'll just decide at some point that he's going to cry while we're in bed, it's not cos he needs the toilet as if we let him out he doesnt do anything, he also has water and toys available. i personally think its an attention seeking thing but if we ignore it he builds up to barking which isnt acceptable but of course the worst thing to do if it is attention seeking is to give in and let him out. im quite keen on dog behaviour and we think he'd like to be 'top dog' but we are strict on his training but he does seem to see my partner as the weakest link. if i go down to 'shush' him he stops but if my partner goes down it makes him worse!! any help?? oh, he's booked in for castration next week!

[happy_face]

he's obviously happy to use it as a den but have you done the training on closing the door. It doesn't sound like it as he gets stressed whenever the door is closed and you leave the room. At the moment the crate is not doing its purpose because he's seeing it as a prison.

Please look here for crate training tips:
http://orangedog.forumup.com/about429-orangedo g.html

feel free to register, among others there is an ex vet nurse and dog trainers on the site. all giving excellent advice

[raggies1]

it really doesnt seem to be that as over night the door is shut and he doesnt mind that and occasionally during the day he may be shut in for a short period and he's fine until we go upstairs. also if he's out of his cage and i go upstairs he sits and cries just the same as when he's in the cage.