The Shar-Pei Forums-Health Behavior Diet & Rescue Info and Discussion Group

So I'm not sure what to do as I've gotten conflicting information and neither seems to work.

I've been working about a month now on crate training with Chyna. We've done short periods in there, made positive experiences, and I leave the door open when I'm home with her. She plays in there and naps in there sometimes and uses it as a quiet spot which is all good. However, if left for more then a few minutes in there she cries and doesn't stop. Well, 3/4 of the time. Once in a while she's does great.

I've been told to discipline her, and others have said ignore it because it teaches her that she will just get attention by crying. I just need to figure out something because when I leave at 5am for work and my roommates are still sleeping she is waking them up and they are getting mad at me (which I totally don't blame them for).

Does anyone have a suggestion? I know it's a patience thing to some extent, but it's been almost a month of working with her now with minimal results and I can't just let her run around when I'm at work (which is a max of about 7hr, not like a 12hr shift or anything). I'm just not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if there is something new I can try

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Have you tried a kong stuffed with her food? You can stuff it with healthy treats or with part of her meal. You can freeze the kong stuffed with cream cheese and treats too if you like. It will take Chyna a while to get it all out. Give her one while you are home at first. Put it in her crate, leave the door open. Let her learn how yummy the kong is. Then once she knows that there is good stuff in it and is used to passing time with it, you can use it to keep her settled in the morning in her crate.

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Toni- Cosmo, Pei-le and Kaïa's mom

One training effort that works is..Do the things you do just before you leave get keys coat but do not leave..Do that tell she ignores you..Then do the same thing but go out side for a minute come back in until she ignores it..Then stay out longer periods of time..Until she is use to it...It works for many pei but it takes time and practice.....

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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shar-peifsf

Do you have anyone that can come and take her out for play and a walk during the day? That way she gets a potty break and her day is broken up with some interaction

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Thank you for the suggestions. I think I will definitely give the kong a try as I know last time I gave her a bone she was occupied for a few minutes

Scamp - yes, depending on if someone is home during the day, she gets taken out to play with my roommates puppy since they're roughly the same age and get along great. It doesn't always happen, but a lot of times it does. I'm told she settles down somewhat after crying for so long, but it's the early morning crying and waking people up that I need to nip in the bud and quick :-/

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i totally believe that the crate should be introduced immediately, and it should never be used as punishment. they should find their crate to be a comforting place. with lots of toys and even a little water, i wouldnt leave food in there though cuz they could choke while no one is around, scarey. i think you should try to leave her in there for small amounts of time while you are home. start with 5 mins at a time if that helps. put her in with lots of toys and just leave the room. good luck i hope she starts to like the crate.

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Lola and Jenuine

busy pei gave the best advice to teach her to stop vocalizing. Follow her instructs and it will work
if you practice it just has she stated.

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Thank you I've been trying more of the staying in her crate for a few minutes at a time and when I'm sitting in my room with her she's not too bad, I just need to work more I think on leaving her in there for a few minutes at a time and leave the room b/c right now if I do that she cries instantly. I'm hoping she gets the hand of it soon, but I know it's a patience thing too.

My roommate has suggested as well that I leave the TV on for her when I go. Does anyone find that this helps? She doesn't seem to be much of a TV watcher, and I don't want to run up my electric bill if it's not going to benefit at all...

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