I have my 3 month old pup. He sleeps fine in the crate for bedtime - about 6-7 hrs before giving his 'announcements' that he his up. I haven't been working so it was convenient to get him potty trained. However, in the crate other than bedtime is a disaster whether I am home or not. If he is crying or barking, I wait until he is quiet to approach his door. I will ask him to sit if he is standing or ask him to lay down if he is sitting. Either way I tell him to wait when I open the door and let him know when it is ok to leave his crate. I walk with him about once a day. I have an older dog and they run around the house like maniacs (which tires them both out). Along with short training sessions (2x a day separately between dogs). I just started feeding him in is crate. He has a bone, a kong with treats and a blanket. His bone and kong may keep him occupied for not even five minutes. The past two days when I see he is winding down for a nap, I will take him to his crate. Sometimes I lay on my bed until he falls asleep. Half the time he will go in with no problem and the other half he will cry his butt off.  Since he is still a pup, I will put him in his crate(no more than 45 minutes) when I need to take a shower, run out for errands or try to clean the house and it's non-stop with the crying. Prior to putting him in, I will take him outside to potty. I find that there are occasions when he is upset he has accidents (crate or not). This is maybe within 30 mins after being outside. I thought maybe having the older dog's crate beside him with her in it would help and it did not. My older one stays quiet, knows no attention is given when crying or barking.

I'll be working in about a week and would like him to quiet down when I am not home. I understand this will take a couple of days but wasn't sure how I am going about it is appropriate.

• Feeding in crate
  
• Certain Toys and bones (only in crate)
  
• Tossing treats in crate randomly
  
• Ignoring and working in increments leaving him in crate (in view and out of view)
  
• Opening crate once he quiets (sit/lay and wait command before letting him out)
  

I would really appreciate any advice on this.

I feel for you as I have gone through this.
Husky #2 won the battle.
We couldn't take it, and gave up.
But we never resorted to ear plugs.
I think we were close to winning if we had just held out a little longer.

Current husky (Bodhi) was a rehome and came to us crate trained.
Wow! It's wonderful.
His crate is his home; he's secure and safe inside.

Have you tried putting a blanket over the crate when it's time for bed?

jalepeno wrote:

I feel for you as I have gone through this.
Husky #2 won the battle.
We couldn't take it, and gave up.
But we never resorted to ear plugs.
I think we were close to winning if we had just held out a little longer.

Current husky (Bodhi) was a rehome and came to us crate trained.
Wow! It's wonderful.
His crate is his home; he's secure and safe inside.

Have you tried putting a blanket over the crate when it's time for bed?

Well he is my first husky and I don't want to lose this battle. My dogs play too rough to even think about having them out of their crates (my older dog I have trusted to stay out) and I wouldn't want to separate them since they keep each other company. Plus keeping them in a certain room wouldn't help because they tend to scratch the door trying to get out ( I am renting a house and have a few scratches already).

It's funny that you say a blanket. I was in my guest bedroom and spotted an extra sheet that I wouldn't mind if he tore up hours after I posted this. I wasn't sure if it would work but sure gave it a try. I was able to be in the room while typing/clicking away on the computer with a few minor whimpers that calmed down after a few minutes.  He was taken outside before placing the blanket over his crate. My bf and I was getting ready to head out for dinner and I had him drive around the block while I waited outside. Just wondering if he would make a peep if he heard us leave (I moved both crates into the living room).  So far so good, although this is only day one with the blanket.

Something that really helped me with transitioning him to me going back to work was to keep a similar schedule to what I would have during the work week. Get up at normal time, walk, food, play, walk, crate, leave and come back, or just crate him for a couple hours at a time when I was in the apartment. That way it wasn't that drastic of a change when I actually did go back to work. What's the longest he will be alone when you're at work? Will someone come midday to walk him?

wpskier222 wrote:

Something that really helped me with transitioning him to me going back to work was to keep a similar schedule to what I would have during the work week. Get up at normal time, walk, food, play, walk, crate, leave and come back, or just crate him for a couple hours at a time when I was in the apartment. That way it wasn't that drastic of a change when I actually did go back to work. What's the longest he will be alone when you're at work? Will someone come midday to walk him?

Thanks for the tip. I have been crating him during the afternoon around 3ish. This will be about the start when no one will be home. If I have to work a early shift the bf will be home and I can come home to relieve him. If I have to work a late shift, he will be in his crate around 4ish. If I have to work both shifts I can return home and relieve him. I will still be heading out and leaving him around 4ish. This is the time frame that causes an issue. If my bf and I both work, he will be in the crate for min. 7 hrs. My older dog - Mia can handle that. Jax can do that when it is bedtime but not before. I do not have anyone to come relieve him after 4ish.