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So we brought our baby girl, Hobie, home Friday night, and it's now Monday. She's been wonderful with the potty, eating, playing. Everything is going better than I expected, except the crate.
We have a large metal crate with the divider, which I have adjusted to allow for her to turn around & lay down. Lots of fluffy blankets, a nice plush toy that you can warm up in the microwave, and even a hot water bottle wrapped in her puppy blanket and blankets over the top of the crate to help give her that "den" feeling that I'm looking for.
She has gotten to the point where she'll sleep in the crate at night if I'm there on the floor with her and the door is open. Fabulous for now, I'll take it.
However, any other time she realizes she's in there, it's bloody murder. I've been letting her fall asleep in my lap, then gently laying her in there, and she goes right back to sleep. But as soon as she wakes up, she flips. I've let her go as long as an hour before going to let her out. Screaming, howling, whining. It sounds like she's hurt and it's breaking my heart.
I'm concerned because I have to leave the house for about 4 hours tomorrow and I'm afraid she's going to give herself a heart attack before I get back.
Please tell me this is normal and she will get used to it. I'm doing everything I can (that I know of) to make it a "safe space" and not a punishment. I praise her to death when she walks in, I've been feeding her in there (though she makes sure she keeps two feet out) and praise her when she is quiet (in between screams).
Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!
We have a large metal crate with the divider, which I have adjusted to allow for her to turn around & lay down. Lots of fluffy blankets, a nice plush toy that you can warm up in the microwave, and even a hot water bottle wrapped in her puppy blanket and blankets over the top of the crate to help give her that "den" feeling that I'm looking for.
She has gotten to the point where she'll sleep in the crate at night if I'm there on the floor with her and the door is open. Fabulous for now, I'll take it.
However, any other time she realizes she's in there, it's bloody murder. I've been letting her fall asleep in my lap, then gently laying her in there, and she goes right back to sleep. But as soon as she wakes up, she flips. I've let her go as long as an hour before going to let her out. Screaming, howling, whining. It sounds like she's hurt and it's breaking my heart.
I'm concerned because I have to leave the house for about 4 hours tomorrow and I'm afraid she's going to give herself a heart attack before I get back.
Please tell me this is normal and she will get used to it. I'm doing everything I can (that I know of) to make it a "safe space" and not a punishment. I praise her to death when she walks in, I've been feeding her in there (though she makes sure she keeps two feet out) and praise her when she is quiet (in between screams).
Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!