stuchgirl

Great photos, thanks for the link! I guess because it's so hot at the moment she does currently stretch right out when sleeping... which maybe she can't do in her crate. Good point. I might have to consider upgrading the size. She currently sleeps in the loungeroom on another bed but the main reason for me wanting to crate her is because a) when she is restless she comes in to bother me and b) she is wanting to go out to toilet during the night even though I KNOW she can hold it and doesnt really need to. It's mostly become a problem since summer arrived. In winter who would want to do a midnight stroll?

Why is this sneaky? She is doing what you are training her to - enter the crate and receive a treat.She is learning ! Just make sure the crate is big enough! Can she comfortably sleep stretched out on her side,or curled around?Can she sit up without her head touching the roof? No you're right, she is learning. It's just so funny to see her smack her lips as soon as she enters! The crate is nice and big, she doesn't have a huge amount of room sitting up (prob just about touching head) but can sleep reasonably stretched out (albeit not like when she's on the end of my bed!). Mostly she curls in it though.. Seems comfortable enough to me??!

OK just a quick update... I have been going VERY slowly with the training. Basically at this stage just giving her a treat whenever she enters her crate and putting toys in there to encourage her. At this stage I am not shutting the door (as I feel I haven't got the time or willpower to start yet) and there has been a couple of times over the past week when I couldn't find her only to eventually find her tucked up sleeping in her crate!! Having said that she is VERY SMART and often when I am around in my room she puts herself in her crate and licks her lips in anticipation of a treat! Such a sneaky little girl! I think I will move up to the short bursts of door shut times this weekend...

showdog- its a collapsable metal crate so I am hoping to eventually be able to put her in it for long trips (4hrs drive to family-in-law) in the back of our suv. at the moment she rides quite happily on the back seat to the beach etc just with a seat protector/hammock thing. dyzney- lots of good advice there. i am FINE with letting her whine it out. she has a VERY SPOILT existence as it is so i am she will get over it! so true to 'set yourself up for a win'. i MUST get the OH on board before we even attempt this as otherwise someone 'cracking' will let down the whole thing. will start the day time sessions this weekend (mixture of locked and unlocked) and work up to the big overnighter! thanks everyone!

Do you think it's better for me to have her/crate in my bedroom? Or put it out in the loungeroom? Currently it's in my bedroom and whenever I go in there to read or get ready to go out she puts herself in it.. but as soon as I close the door......! Sooky sooky noises... She's a very vocal dog normally, which is a trait I love about Weims... but not when I'm sleeping!

Thanks guys, it's nice to see that there is some hope! That's great advice PME, I was probably going to try to speed up the process but you're right, I should treat her just like I would a puppy... Will keep you updated on how I go!

Hi Everyone, I know it's my own stupid fault so no need to say it BUT I have let my one year old Weim pretty much sleep wherever she wants for her life so far. Usually she goes to sleep in the loungeroom in her bed but often she will come into our room at 3am and end up sleeping on the end of our bed. I know I shouldn't have let it happen EVER but at 3am I never really had the energy to stop her.... Now I'm paying the price! I mostly want to crate train her so that we can take her (and the crate) back to the in-laws etc and so that when we eventually leave her at a kennel for an extended holiday we won't have so much trouble.. She already has a crate and likes going in it but as SOON as that door is closed on her she lets out little whimpers every 20 seconds... very annoying. She doesn't seem distressed or try to paw at the door or anything but she WILL NOT settle, even after an hour of ignoring her. Thoughts? Ideas? Any help much appreciated!

She hasn't slept like this in a while (now 11 months) but these photos were from when she was about 4 months.... macy_sleep by stuchgirl, on Flickr macy_sleep2 by stuchgirl, on Flickr I can't see how it's comfy!