I have a Siberian Husky that is 9.5 Weeks old. I got him at 6 week and am a pretty patient person. Between my day shift schedule and my wifes night shift schedule, he is rarely ever alone. We're crate training him and I'm looking for some advice on my issue. I know they'll whine a lot when in their crate. Right now, this is how I do things:

- I play with him when I get home from work until he can't stand no more and before I go to bed. Our bedroom is upstairs and his crate is downstairs in the living room. I put him in his crate, close the door, turn the fan on, and cover the whole crate with a blanket except leave an opening for the fan to blow. I use the fan more for noise than I do for keeping him cool as we have A/C. He will yelp, whine, scream, and bite his cage non-stop for awhile. Some nights are worse than others. I typically wake up every 2-3 hours to let him out to potty, then right back into the cage and the whining fit goes on again. It's the same for when I leave for work. There's a 2 hour gap between when I leave for work and when the wife gets home.

My question is, from what I'm currently doing, what can I and my wife do to get him more accustomed to his crate? I know I need to be patient, but typically how long does it take? Anything I can do to ease his crying? Some of the possible options I've read:
- Put his crate next to the bed and just put earplugs in until he gets used to it being in your room next to your bed. Do I cover it?
- Use a small radio? I figured the fan was just as good.
- Use the tv? I've tried that and he is still really loud for awhile.

I think he has a small form of separation anxiety because it's only when I leave the room. That or he doesn't see his crate as a good thing. Even with treats I can't convince him to go into the crate without my help. Once he's in, he accepts the treat and as soon as the door shuts, the crying commences.

Some nights he cries so much that he starts to sweat. Any advice or pointers to other threads would help greatly.

Indeed it sounds like separation anxiety. There are some things that you can do to solve the issues with crates in a pup. It takes time, understanding and love.

Firstly, I have Okami's crate in my bedroom. She has separation anxiety terrible, but just with me.. she is a momma's girl, and I don't think that will ever change. But she is fine so long as she knows I am in the room with her while she is in the crate. I have worked her up to now she is comfortable enough that I am allowed to leave for hours at a time. It took a great deal of time.

Secondly, you want to get him used to the crate (obviously)... start by feeding him in the crate (or just outside of it) with door open. If you get him to realize, "Hey I can eat in/near this thing?" Another thing I have heard of people doing is put a t-shirt of yours or an object that would have your scent on it in the crate. You are the most comforting thing to your pup, so your scent may have calming effects for your pup. Another thing that I did, was play games to include the crate. I taught Okami how to fetch using the crate. I taught her stay in your room, then I would throw the ball, she would go get it, drop it in my lap and end up back into the crate awaiting me to throw again. You pretty much just have to make it a fun place to be. It is his special place, his den. He can be himself in there and it is a safe haven. Once you get him to accept that, then you're good!

Being that he's only 9.5 weeks old, I wouldn't call it separation anxiety yet, well at least not in the same context as an adult. I think he's just adjusting to the crate. I would put it in your bedroom. My pup stopped crying after a few days, but I slept next to his crate and every time he woke up or got upset, I would stick my fingers in and I'd feel him lick them and he'd quiet down unless he had to go to the bathroom. After a couple days, I'd get up and get into bed after he fell asleep. When he woke up, I'd take him out to go, back in the crate and lay next to the crate until he fell asleep. I worked on crate training during the day as well because I didn't want him to learn that crying got him attention. I think he just needed to feel secure at night and was lonely or scared. If you have him in the bedroom, leave the crate uncovered, it will make him feel better to see you.