Crate Training for adult Maltese

Question
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, ect. 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 mins 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  

Answer
I think the crate was a big change for her. She is barred from being with you. Personally, I don't use crates, except for crate training. I get a plastic fenced area (at Petsmart--it is grayish and has blue on the locking part) that is about 1.5 ft ft tall and let my dog sleep in the space on the tile (in case of accidents) with towels and blankets. I also put blankets or bathtowels on top of the crate/fenced area. Maybe you should cover the crate up with towels so it is dark for her.

This is the exact pen I use for my dog to sleep in:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455244417...

If she has to go way more often than usual, maybe you should see a vet. They may prescribe a medicine for her if she has to "go" all of the time.

The bathroom problems may or may not be related to the crating. Most likely they are if this happened right after the crate started showing up. She probably really misses you. She may also cry a lot because she has to go bathroom and can't sleep without you. Many human couples can't sleep without each other being next to each other during the night, and your little one can't seem to sleep without you protecting her. Don't let her become paranoid because that is the last thing you want. Her pees will become panic attacks. (sort of like bullies coming for wimpy kids; the wimpy kid pees in his pants because he's afraid.)

Can you gate an area around the house and let her sleep there? Put something you own in there so she will have your scent next to her. She will feel safe in an area she knows in the house. The crate might not be the best thing for her. How about getting a doggie pillow bed and putting it by the bed in your room or in the master bathroom? She can have the comfort of a big bed with you near her. Obviously, she does not want to be without you.

Lastly, when she cries, is she hungry? Leave some food out. Sometimes my dog will bark and bark and then I leave food for him late at night. He eats it all up and can't move (he's so stuffed) by the morning! Maybe it is panic eating, but when a dog's tummy is full, they want to take a big nap! It also works with humans on Thanksgiving. If you feed the kids or the husband enough, everyone will fall asleep or get sleepy. ;)

You did get good advice about leaving her in the crate for 15 minutes at a time, but why not leave it open with treats for a week before you started putting her in there at night or even closing the door? She feels trapped. I left my crates open in the beginning and my dog just walked in there when he felt sleepy. He felt that the door wasn't going to close and trusted me that it would reopen in the morning. Your dog, on the other hand, probably walks to your bed when she's sleepy. She needed her own personal bed to start with. Put a big dog pillow next to the bed. I don't think your dog can climb on the bed at only 5 pounds, so she'll have to just rest on the pillow instead.

There's really not much I can help you with, but do try to do the minimum on comforting her. If she cries, do you immediately walk over? She knows her tactics are working if you do. Try to ignore it unless she has to go bathroom.

Do you have a doggie door? They have infrared doors now that lock so that animals can't come in--but your dog can! I don't have this door yet (I am saving up; it is expensive!) but I will have one soon for my maltese.

I wish you luck and keep holding on in there. Your dog has had a very big change in her sleeping patterns and didn't see this one coming. Good luck to you.