I have just re homed an 8mth old jack russell puppy and I would like some advice on how to get her to use a puppy cage at night. She goes in it in the daytime and if I am around I can close the door BUT at night she just cries, howls and digs at the cage. I have left her for a while but afraid of her hurting herself and we have neighbours who have to get up in the morning and go to work. Any advice please!
I think you have to be strong and tough it out for a few days. She won't hurt herself. We always leave the radio on for our dogs, they all go into their cage no worries. Also you could try feeding her in there which will give her good associations.
I suspect it is the being left she objects to. If she has been re homed then she has been left before so she knows her fears are not groundless.
Thank you both of you, it is very difficult and heartbreaking to listen to her but we will persevere. She has just gone in this morning so she is not afarid of it. We will also take her for a walk round the block last thing so that she is tired. Thank you again for your advice.
Why do people put their puppies in cages? We used to put ours in their basket downstairs, when they needed to go outside they learnt to come upstairs and wake us up to tell us. We didn't mind - better than a mess in the morning.
There won't be a mess in the morning. An 8mth old dog will not mess in it's bed. Our 5mth old pup is very capable of waiting til morning and on one occasion when he had an upset tum he made enough noise to get us up and let him out!
Thankyou cheekyteddy, We had a good night with our puppy in the cage, she whined for a very short while and then we heard nothing. Came down this morning and she was just sitting and waiting, went out to do her business and then in for her breakfast. We have only had her for 3 days now and already she is getting used to our routine. We have just been for a walk and she is now asleep in her cage with the door open.
A new member came into my family yesterday , an 8 week old Jack russell , we have bought a cage for him too and last night he slept through the night in it and has been popping into it open today to rest or sleep . Aren't they cute little characters :-) x