Up until a couple of days ago my dog loved his cage, he would just go in there all the time and sleep all through the day, and as soon as the TV would go off at night he knew it was bed time and would go straight into his cage and we would not hear from him until morning, now all of a sudden I have to force him into his cage, he is still in the chewing phase so I am afraid to let him out when we are not around, but it is even worse at night, about an hour or so after we all go to bed, he starts crying, the first night, I got up and took him outside, and tried putting him back into his cage, but he kept crying... now 2 nights later it is 3:30 in the morning and I am asking for help, I let him cry for Hours this time before coming to see him, should I just continue to let him cry? It is obvious he wants to be with us at night, but this is very sudden, what could be wrong? He even runs into his cage to bring his bones out, but does not like to stay anymore... I am besides myself!! And exhausted... please HELP!!

Something might have scared him. You can reassure him throughout the day when everyone is awake that the kennel is OK. Give him lots of treat, put him in but don't close the door. Feed him in his crate with the door closed.. Walk in and out of the room.. He might be developing separation anxiety.

In order for everyone to sleep at night, put his kennel in your room. Dogs naturally feel more comfortable when they are in the same area as their pack. Dogs don't like to be alone in a separate room. Do what comes natural to your pooch and allow him to sleep, in his kennel, in your room. He will feel more comfortable.

If all else fails, you can purchase a citronella collar from Petsmart or Petco. It is by Premier. It will spray him in the nose every time he howels, whines and carries on.

A trick I have learned from reading many pet books is to put a clock near the cage so that the ticking will mimic the mother's heartbeat. Or like Lucky098 said, put his kennel in your room it will probably help!

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Originally Posted by dogsrule4

A trick I have learned from reading many pet books is to put a clock near the cage so that the ticking will mimic the mother's heartbeat. Or like Lucky098 said, put his kennel in your room it will probably help!

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This dog is 1 year old, not months old... the clock thing has come and gone at this age..

I agree with Lucky. It sounds like something has scared him. Just to be safe though, I'd go to the vet for a health check. There could be something physically wrong causing him discomfort and therefore keeping him up at night.

Is your dog neutered? It could be that there's a female in heat that's making him a bit antsy. Have there been any changes in your household? These are all things that can contribute to his recent behavior.

My dog does the same thing I had to put him in there and lay down and just comfort him after a little bit he will get use to it again that's the way I got mine use to it