Sudden change in behaviour while crated?

[Cali Mae]

Lately, Cali has been acting more dramatic than usual about going in her crate every morning... despite her having the exact same crate schedule for the past year and a half.

One morning, she was almost "screaming" when she realized it was crate time. She's never really had an issue with it since this past week and usually settles down within a couple moments.

Are there any little activities I could do? The only thing I can think of that might help is to just bundle up, put her on a long line and let her run around outside for ten minutes before we leave and see if she's just starting to get more energetic in the morning... since usually, she likes just sleeping up on my bed and on the couch until we leave. I'll have to start taking her for a quick walk in the mornings once spring comes as well, I think.

 

[puppydog]

Placing a dog in crate makes them isolated that is why they feel uncomfortable and unsecured to anyone.

No it doesn't.

OP: I've discovered that some paps are more prone to dramatic then most dogs. Riley will inexplicably switch behaviours to the point of me rushing her to the vet only to find nothing is wrong.

Try a really yummy stuffed Kong in her crate and the morning walk is a good idea. The more walks Riley gets the nicer she is to live with.

 

[Cali Mae]

I was kind of worried that perhaps she had SA, but considering she's had this same schedule since we brought her home, I can't imagine that being the case.

I'll have to try the stuffed kong, but she doesn't really pay much attention to the toys in her crate. I'll likely have to take her food dish out though, because she always shoves her face and pushes the food out of it when I close the door. I'd say she's just being crazily dramatic about it, thanks!

 

[Laurelin]

Papillons? dramatic? lol

Do you reward her when she goes into the crate? What is the morning schedule like?

Mine are in an x-pen but I treat the x-pen HEAVILY. They both get really excited to get penned up because they get treats and something good to chew on.

 

[Cali Mae]

Our morning schedule is usually pretty busy, and because we wake up at 6... she's still pretty tired and just sleeps on my lap while I eat breakfast then she'll wander around until maybe 7 while I finish getting ready. If I have the time, I try to play with her... I'm hoping it'll be easier to take her for a walk once the weather warms up.

I might look into a x-pen soon because that should give her more room to stretch out and she may be more likely to chew on toys, etc.

 

[Cali Mae]

I found this x-pen type enclosure on eBay:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/49-2-Large-Pet-Playpen-Pen-Exercise-Puppy-Portable-Kennel-Tent-Crate-/300869021193?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item460d30ee09&_uhb=1#ht_2101wt_1095

It looks like it would have plenty of room for her, plus the enclosed sides might make it easier for her to ignore the passing cats and Moses. This one also looks easily portable.

 

[DogKisses]

Wonder if she got her foot stuck in it or something.

 

[Cali Mae]

I don't think so, I've never jammed her foot in the door and I can't imagine how she would do it herself. I just have no clue why she suddenly is being so dramatic about the crate, it used to be no big deal but now, she literally wails/screeches as soon as she realizes it's time for us to leave. I'm going to have to try and find some sort of delectable chew that's reserved only for crate time and try to find a x-pen as well.

 

[puppydog]

Riley and Travis will literally throw themselves on the floor and whine and moan when they see me getting ready to leave. If I don't close the back door in time they will run and it becomes a 10 minute ordeal to catch them. LOL.

Dramatic little creatures.

 

[Cali Mae]

They sound just like Cali, that's why I always pick her up about five minutes before we leave because she'll run full speed behind the couch and usually I have to pretend I'm going to take Moses on a walk and that she's going to be left behind before she comes running and I have to try to be sneaky about "lassoing" her with a leash.

I really think they belong in a whole different breed group... all the other toy dogs I've ever run into are usually quite lazy and not too bright. Cali is a little genius dog who I swear is a mogwai/gremlin.