Mr Fuggles is ANTI crate!!

by Cait
(Beachy FL)

Hi all-Im a new Boston owner and new to the forum. I have an 8 week old pup and Ive had him since he was 6 weeks old. He is arguably the smartest dog Ive ever owned. However he is a TOTAL mommas boy! He ALWAYS wants to be held or laying on me. Now dont get me wrong, I adore it. However at night time when its time to go in his crate he flips!! He literally throws a tantrum and whines and barks like a child (mind you this is also the ONLY time this dog makes noise). He has been super good at potty training, literally 2 pee pee accidents in the house since we got him but every time we put him in the crate he uses the bathroom in it. I almost think he does it because he hates the crate so much that he knows he gets to come out of it (for it to be cleaned) when he goes potty in there. Any help would be greatly appreciated because frankly im at my wits end with the poopy tantrums:(

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Mr Fuggles is ANTI crate!!

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Apr 06, 2012
 Crate
by: Debbie T

Our 4 year old Boston Buddha is the best behaved dog I have ever met. If we leave him alone in the house he does not bother anything, he doesn't bark unless someone comes to the door. He can be trusted off leash, comes when called. His only issues are that he sleeps between us and snuggles between us when we watch tv. He will not compromise, it is a great need of his to be with us that way. He also requires enough exercise. We got rid of the crate when he was about a year old and we only left him in it when we left the house. We did try to get him to sleep in it but we caved into his sad puppy eyes. We did try to put his bed next to ours but he would creep into our bed quietly in the middle of the night so we eventually gave in. I think he would sleep in his bed if he had another dog to sleep with. Good luck!
Debbie T
May 26, 2011
 Anti crate
by: Meagan

We had the same problem with Millie when she was a puppy! She hates to be away from her people. We gave up on the whole crate thing I couldn't stand to listen to her whine. She has slept with us pretty much every night since we brought her home at 8 weeks old. She won't even just lay at the end of the bed. She has to be snuggled up under the covers next to someone. My kids now fight over who gets to sleep with the dog. Sad thing is I usually go get her before I go to bed. She has never had an accident on a bed or during the night. I am not saying giving in is the answer for your situation but our dog is happier with out hers.
Jan 24, 2011
 Anti-Crate Training
by: Mary

+
Some like their crate and some hate it.
Just remember YOU are the boss and it will take time.

We keep ours in the crate when we are not there but some people work it out differently.

If you want the crate then keep trying because at one point they will understand that you are the boss. But if you are not dead stuck on the crate then remember that it is not a MUST. As long as you are happy and they are happy (and they know you are the boss) then that is all that matters.

One of ours sleeps in her crate and the other sleeps in my daughter's bed. You can guess which one likes her crate. Both are put in the crate when we leave however, I could probably trust the bed-sleeper to stay in the house by herself. NOT the other one though!
Jan 23, 2011
 Congratulations
by: Linda Galway/TurnerME

It's wonderful that you are now a member of the Boston faithful! One thing you will need to understand is that Bostons love their people; actually, they love all people, but you especially, so Mr. Fuggles is just trying to tell you he wants to sleep WITH you. We learned to put our baby Bostons in a small cat crate and keep it ON the bed with us, putting a towel over most of it to make it very den-like. After we felt they were large enough, we let them sleep with us. To this day, both of our Bostons find their sleeping spots under the covers. It's very comforting to have one snuggle up against your back. You don't want your baby to experience separation anxiety unnecessarily. If putting the crate on the bed isn't an option, then place is on a nightstand facing you so that Mr. Fuggles can see and smell you. We rescued a Boston who was neglected and kept in a crate most of the time; she is very needy for affection, and although she is much better than when we first got her, I believe she will be needy for the rest of her life.Good luck.
Jan 23, 2011
 CRATE FEAR
by: Anonymous

oh my, he looks so much like one of mine. As far as the crate you might have to try just a soft dog bed instead. When I tried to put mine in her crate at that age it seemed to almost cause trauma now that she is older and more secure she is fine with it especially if there is another dog with her.

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