Dog not going in crate & night time whining

[Beansandcheesearegood]

Help! He's 15 months old and has always been great at night. We went away on holiday abd he didn't like/ was distressed with the travel crate we had (although he's slept in it before!) So ended up not in crate whilst away. When we came back he happily went in crate again at night. Only use it at night.
Then about a week after being home he started whining at night- he was let outside - often for a wee- then back into crate. Last night he didn't want to go in crate- he was tired and falling asleep but didn't go in crate. Eventually he did with a treat. 1 hour later he was whining and let out - no wee a didn't go back in crate....

Any ideas? Dump the crate? Start again with positive association with crate? I honestly thought this week was because of the heat but now I think it might just be attention!

If you let him out the crate when he cries, he will learn that crying works. It's really important to only let him out when he stops, even for a second.

Be very quick with your reactions though. Starting again with positive association isn't a bad idea, but you may have already taught him that crying gets him let out.

Is there a reason you still crate him at night? Also, is it big enough?

Thanks- it was so unusual for him to whine at night that the first few times we let him out immediately but I feel we've set up a habit now!!
No reason to still crate ( it's definitely big enoufh) it was a habit and working well so kept going... might not tonight and see if he settles without it....

Why is a 15 month old dog in a crate at all? He’s clearly not happy and telling you in the only way a dog can. Just let hom
sleep where he chooses surely. I’ve had dogs for 40 years, different breeds, never understood the use of crates. Saying that I’ve always had a safe smaller space for chewy pups when im
not around like a utility room.

Yeah he's always been so happy to curl up in his crate' we don't have a utility room- so I think the living room is his new bedroom! Hoping he doesn't chew!!

Dump the crate. Poor thing. Dogs need to be allowed to move around, change sleeping positions and stretch out.

This crate obsession is one of the worst things to happen to dogs since that ridiculous pack theory.

Thanks its big enough for him to stretch and move around please don't worry about that- the crate is massive! I'll be glad to be rid if it's tine- it worked so well for his security and co fort and to keep him and our things safe- but yes sounds like it's time to try without!

We’ve recently ditched the night time pen (she never liked the crate at home overnight) and so far so good, she sleeps on a massive squishy cushion thing at the bottom of the stairs and doesn’t seem to move.
When we are away however she actively chooses to sleep in her travel crate, I think she feels safe in it when she’s in an unfamiliar place.
Good luck with the new nighttime arrangements, I’m sure it’ll be fine

Ours had crate beds set up that they could go into whenever they wanted. Door was always open. Sometimes they slept in it, sometimes in their bed, sometimes on the couch. Sometimes they would close the door to, sometimes not. When they naturally stopped using it, we put it away. Having had the crate though it was a godsend when one of them was poorly. Up it went, poorly dog went in it and he pulled the door to behind him! It gave him a quiet space when he needed it.