My dog barks when left alone in his crate at night. How to stop it?

Question

We adopted a 1.5yr old who struggles to be left alone at all. He’s fine in his crate if we are in the room but the second we walk out of site he barks and wines. It is worst at night when we are trying to go to bed. How can we help him stay calm when we are out of his site? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 14 lbs

Bette Isacoff · Accepted Answer

If he's fine in the crate when you are there it's not a crate issue . . . its a behavior problem. I am wondering if you go back to him when he whines, or call to him to stop it, or anything like that. If you are acknowledging the barking in any way--even negative responses--he will keep it up because it gets him the attention he wants. You need to ignore him completely if he starts up. I know it may mean a few sleepless nights, but the behavior will stop once it's no longer rewarded by a response from you. Just be prepared because initially he may go louder and longer--his theory being that if his racket worked in the past it should work now, so if it's not working he'll amp it up a little. Be patient. If you don't give in (not even once!!!) he will be quiet soon.

My dog barks when left alone in his crate at night. How to stop it?

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