Crate training adult maltese
I have a 4 year old female maltese. She has slept in bed with me now for 4 years and has never been crated at all including night time. I am now in a position where I can't have her sleep in bed with me. I purchased a crate for her that is pleanty big for her size, she is about 5 lbs. I've put blankets, toys, bones, etc. in the crate with her. She hates it, all she does in there is cry. I was told to put her in the crate for 15 min at a time when we are home to get used to it and reward her when I take her out,and we have been doing that for about 3 weeks. I have tried putting the crate outside of the bedroom and inside where she can see us, neither work. She just crys, I feel bad leaving her in there crying so I usually take her out after 30 minutes or so and bring her into bed with me. I have no idea what to do I feel like I have tried everything and nothing works. She also has been going to the bathroom in the house more often, she usually is pretty good about going outside with a few exceptions, but lately she seems to be going inside more. I wonder if it has anything to do with the crating? Please help! Thanks, Jessika