New Puppy Owner - Need Help!

[Doreen Davis]

Crating is a necessary part of your pups life IMO. We've had Anthony hospitalized for obstruction observation and I wouldn't have wanted that to be his first experience with a crate. It is a lifesaver, for you and the dogs. Ours literally go in theirs' when they want to go to bed at night. A cookie, collars off, and it's lights out.

[Abulafia]

... but I have not had the heart to lock her in there at night. [...]! P.S. I have never had a dog before...

I just want to focus on the first part of this. I think that you (the OP) are viewing the crate as a human would, and not as a dog would (and I note that this is your first dog). To a human, a crate looks like a box, a prison, a confinement. Humans do like confinements—caves, tents, shelters, homes—but we tend to like them a little larger. But even within homes, we—typically, if we are lucky enough—have many different rooms. Rooms where we cook, where we eat, where we read, where we eliminate, where we sleep. These rooms are all types of confinements, if of our making.

Wild dogs and wolves choose—and create—dens where they sleep at night and rest during the day, when they are not actively on guard or looking for food. Domesticated dogs that go feral almost always will find a den where they can retreat and feel safe. They don't spend their whole time there, but they like it at night—since dogs are diurnal—because it tells them that they are protected and secure. When they are crated and you are near them, it tells them that you are on guard, and they can relax.

Because it sounds like your dog had not earlier been introduced to a crate, she is not used to it. But I assure you that it is in a dog's personality to want a den. When she gets much older, it will probably just be in a bed next to yours. But for her younger years, her comfort, and her safety, a den, whatever you call it, is what she wants and needs.

[Meeps83]

I just want to focus on the first part of this. I think that you (the OP) are viewing the crate as a human would, and not as a dog would (and I note that this is your first dog). To a human, a crate looks like a box, a prison, a confinement. Humans do like confinements—caves, tents, shelters, homes—but we tend to like them a little larger. But even within homes, we—typically, if we are lucky enough—have many different rooms. Rooms where we cook, where we eat, where we read, where we eliminate, where we sleep. These rooms are all types of confinements, if of our making.

Wild dogs and wolves choose—and create—dens where they sleep at night and rest during the day, when they are not actively on guard or looking for food. Domesticated dogs that go feral almost always will find a den where they can retreat and feel safe. They don't spend their whole time there, but they like it at night—since dogs are diurnal—because it tells them that they are protected and secure. When they are crated and you are near them, it tells them that you are on guard, and they can relax.

Because it sounds like your dog had not earlier been introduced to a crate, she is not used to it. But I assure you that it is in a dog's personality to want a den. When she gets much older, it will probably just be in a bed next to yours. But for her younger years, her comfort, and her safety, a den, whatever you call it, is what she wants and needs.

Well put and I agree with most of this. I'd just like to point out that there are dogs that just do not like their crate. We had one that absolutely would not go in a crate alone but was fineish in there with his sister.

I'd definitely keep treat it like it was no big deal. When they are young, the fall asleep easily. Put your pup in their for naps and rests throughout the day and eventually, your pup will associate the crate with treats, naps, and good things.

[Abulafia]

I'd just like to point out that there are dogs that just do not like their crate.

I have a son (now 11) who absolutely detested his crib—the 9 months or so we attempted it were pure torture on all of us (he transitioned early and happily to his own blow up bed on the floor)—so I absolutely agree.

But just as my son was a bit irregular in this way—I mean, he HATED the crib, not just "I think I'd rather not be here"—I think that most dogs do well with a crate.

[BaconsMom]

Welcome! We crated Bacon right away, and he did very well. We have his crate in the bedroom so we would hear if he needed to go out. He is still sleeping in his crate at 2.5 years old.

[4Thelove]

Hello and welcome