Have you brought yourself a German shepherd puppy to your home? If yes, that’s awesome and you have made a great choice. Having a pet dog in your home decreases the chances of depression by 50-60% for the family members.
But you got to understand that you might even face problems with your new cute little GSD pup. One of the problems is that puppies cry inside the crate when they are not really familiar with it.
Even if they are, sometimes, they still cry and whine for long periods of time. So what’s the solution to this problem? Well, I will talk more about this in this detailed guide in this article.
Crate training can be frustrating, but the earlier you start, the better it is. Puppies tend to learn new things when they are young, mostly when they are younger than 100-120 days.
Do German Shepherd Puppies even like the crate?
I have always kept an opinion that Crate training is a must, but only for a limited time. It is good only for young puppies and you got to train your German shepherd to be independent by the time he is 12-18 months old.
If your GSD is getting bigger, you should use the crate less often and only when it’s most needed. Though, If you have smaller breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, you can still use crate for him for a little longer than 12-18 month time.
Dogs are naturally denning animals and therefore, they can get accustomed to a crate provided they are sure that they are safe in that crate. They have to get comfortable with the crate and the place where that crate is kept inside the house.
Never let your puppy feel that the crate is a cage. Period.
Why do my German Shepherd puppy whines in the Crate
So, you must have followed the proper crate training methods and steps and your puppy still whines and cries inside the crate. Is that the reason?
Try this time with a TWIST. Supply all the essentials like food, water, and toys in the crate and if your dog still whines, DO NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO HIM/HER.
No Eye contact. Nothing.
Whenever you give any kind of attention to your puppy when he is barking or whining, it is kind of a way to praise that behavior of his.
Also, you need to make sure the crate is not a punishment for your puppy. It’s not a cage. What I would recommend is to start early and start with just keeping your dog inside the crate for 2-3 minutes.
If he/she stays there and doesn’t cry, Reward this behavior with his favorite treats. Gradually, increase the timeframe each day or every 2-3 days.
Be slow and Consistent.
Leaving your German shepherd puppy in their crate for longer periods or putting it there too frequently can be the reason for continuous whining and crying.
Dogs are incredibly social animals and need companionship.
If you have no other option but to place your dog inside the crate for long periods of time (like during the working hours) ensure that when you return home, shower loads of love and affection to him.
The busier you are, the tougher it gets to train your dog for anything.
My German Shepherd cries a lot at night and doesn’t let me sleep. What Can I do?
There’s no need to lose sleep over your puppy whining in their crate at night. First, you need to make sure you’ve taken care of his or her needs before bedtime.
These needs are:
Is he/she done with her potty business?
Puppies can’t control their bladders for too long. Therefore, Bathroom breaks are very critical. Make sure your GSD puppy does all their business outside as close to bedtime as possible. Don’t worry, as the older your pup gets, the longer it’ll last!
Is the Crate Comfortable for it to sleep?
Make sure that the crate is comfortable for your GSD during the nighttime. The crate should have good bedding and toys for your GSD.
I don’t need to mention water as well, I guess?
It is also essential to check the room temperature in his/her room. Puppies and smaller dog breeds can get chilly quickly, so make sure you position the crate in an area that is not too cold (or too hot).
Remember, training your dog is not easy and you would need time and effort to dedicate to it, PATIENCE AND CONSISTENCY ARE THE KEY.
