How can I discipline my puppy without using the crate as punishment?

A crate or carrier should never be used as "punishment". At her age, she should be in the crate for a maximum of 3 hours at a time before needing a bathroom break. It is possible she was barking to be let out for this reason. Instead try positive reinforcement, rewarding good behaviors. When she starts barking, a stern "No" or "No bark" can be uttered to distract or stop her. When she complies, praise her. Be firm and be consistent. Placing her in another room away from everyone else for a short period can also be used to correct negative behavior or to calm her down.

Poor pup! No, I would not recommend using Listerine spray or anything else to punish her for whining. Whining is a form of communication - she's telling you that she's anxious or not comfortable in her crate by herself. Trying to address the behavior through punishment will only make her more anxious and worried, and is likely to worsen the problem in the future. Instead of punishing her for being worried or afraid, I would focus on helping her be more comfortable in the crate by herself. Try giving her a special long-lasting treat, such as a bully stick or a Kong stuffed with peanut butter, when you put her in the crate to help keep her busy - this will also teach her to associate good things with being in the crate by herself over time. Getting her out before she gets upset will also help, so kudos to you for doing this :)

There is no need to use the clicker for this. (I'll bet that, if you have children, you didn't use one to reward them when you put them in their cribs at night! Once you know that Sota's potty needs have been taken care of, simply put him in the crate and walk away. Do not look back, or try to shush him, or tell him to be quiet. Ignore any noise from him. Once he learns that his fussing is not going to get him what he wants, he'll stop.

The crate/cage should not be used as a "punishment". Neither should striking or "tapping" Penelope. Puppies will chew/bite when playing, bored, out of curiosity or when teething. Provide plenty of appropriate chew toys for Penelope. When she gets mouthy, a stern "No!" or "No bite!" should be uttered. Provide an appropriate chew toy then reward/praise her when she complies. If she does not comply, cease all play until she calms down. Avoid rough play that gets her too riled up.

The cage or crate should never be used as "punishment". It should be Gandalf's "safe" place or resting area. He may be a bit confused as to where exactly he should be eliminating if he is allowed to go both indoors and out. Choose one location and stick with it. Dogs thrive on routine, so set up a consistent schedule for him to "do his business". Watch him for cues that he needs to go. This includes circling, sniffing about and whining. He will need to go immediately upon waking in the morning, about 20-30 minutes after eating or playing and just before bedtime.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is something that she needs to get used to. There is not necessarily a magic trick to make them stay in the crate without complaining about it. What I find helpful is to reward them for being in the crate. I like to give them a long lasting chew or treat (such as peanut butter) right when you get her inside (not when she complains). She will then associate the crate with something positive which may help make this more ok. This should help. Have a good day!

When she barks, she is looking for attention of some kind from you. Even negative attention, such as clapping your hands or scolding her, is better than nothing in her mind. Ignoring her is the correct response, but you can't give in after a while as you have been doing. The same is true if she is in her crate and barking. I know it is tempting to tell her to be quiet so you can get some sleep, but that is counterproductive. Because she knows that after some time you will interact with her, she will bark even more to get what she's always gotten in the past. You must be more stubborn than she is, and ignore her until she stops--then praise her immediately for being quiet! You also have the option of leaving the room or going outdoors when she is barking during the day. For further assistance, you can click on the prompt for a consult, where we can discuss this at length.