Crate Training an Older Pug.

[TX Bubba]

I have a pug that we adopted a few years ago that I need to crate train. My girlfriend is insisting I do so if I want to keep my pug.

My pug is roughly 7-8 years old (they think) and she is EXTREMELY CLINGY! I don't mind it one bit, but she is glued to my hip all day. She also sleeps in the bed with me.

I am very concerned that crate training will cause her anxiety and stress.

Does anyone have advice for crate training an older pug? (aside from the basic information covered in the forum sticky)

[Snifter]

Not sure that I do have any advice but I am curious as to why the pug has to be crate trained now. Does she potty in the house?

[sugarskullz]

who was there first, the pug or the GF? LOL
My motto is 'love Me, Love my Dogs'!

[Tinker's mom]

If she's not having accidents in the house or tearing anything up when you're not there, why do you want to crate her?

[TX Bubba]

The girlfriend came first hahaha. The dog was supposed to be for my mom, but my dog has formed a very strong attachment to me as I have with her. So she lives with me now.

No she does not have accidents, and yes she has chewed a few things in the several years I have had her, but she is a dog and I left the things within her reach so I can't really blame her.

My girlfriend and I have been dating for 4 years and have plans to get married when we are done with college (which is this fall). She DOES NOT want my pug to be in the bed with us at night, and DOES NOT want her to be allowed to roam the house freely while we are away.

So... unfortunatly I either have to crate train her, OR find her another home which would make me very sad.

[sugarskullz]

can you put her in a room that she can't wreck (bathroom, kitchen, laundry room etc) and put up up a gate to keep her in while you are away?
Personally, i think it is gonna be very hard to crate train her after all these years of having the run of the house. Good Luck!!
How can your GF not love cuddling with a pug in bed at night? It's the best!

[Pugs-R-MandyBait]

Well ... here is the thing - the Pug is doing what it has been bred for centuries to do. Your GF is asking you to go against every bit of Nature your little dog has.

Rather than crating, I'd compromise and offer to gate her in a kitchen or bath when you are gone. Maybe a bed in the room where you sleep.

Pugs are velcro, and it is a most difficult thing to deter

[Snifter]

I really wouldn't try for a crate at this stage. Go for the babygate. I have to say that whilst I understand your GF not wanting the pug in the bed (it does make romantic interludes a little, er, interesting) I don't get why she is adamant that the pug may not have free run of the house. Does she have allergies? Marriage is all about compromises, not one party dictating what is to happen, so you may as well start dealing with that now.

[CSollers]

As stated above, your Pug is being a Pug. Your relationship with your girlfriend must be have compromises in order to last. If she isn't allergic and the Pug isn't trashing the house, this looks like a time to do so.

[jnorth]

I am with he above post. I am not sure why your pug has to be crate bound now. I would do what makes you and the pug happy. On the other hand, I have two and they just LOVE their crates at night. I think it gives them a safe and confy place to go :) Try one night maybe and see how it goes. My husband was not a dog person......until we got the PUGS :)