How to prevent whining in the crate?

[luckycharms]

My dog is crate trained. In the morning she wakes me up by whining to go potty. I open the crate door, she comes out, out to potty, back to the room, put her in the crate, close the door, back to bed for an hour... if I'm tired lol. She doesn't mind being in there so don't worry about the length of time. If I don't put her back in she just sleeps under the bed or goes into the crate on her own. I'm worried she will start to learn whining will get her out. I have tried to wait until she stops but it gets louder and very odd sounding and she just keeps doing it until I let her out. That's the only time she really whines. I've tried to wake up before her and surprise her with a door opening, but an alarm clock, bedroom door opening, a cough, even rolling over in bed will wake her up. And she has to sleep in my room, even if she didn't when I walked to where her crate was she would wake up and whine. Do you think she will catch on to a bad habit or do you think she will understand whining gets her no where unless it's in the morning after a night of sleep?

 

[Nancy S]

im sorry, i usually just ignore my dogs till they stop whining but theire crates are located pretty far from my room. if i am up and they start whining i ignore them and keep on with my chores till i hear them stop then i go and welcome them

 

[i love yahoo]

I just got through this with my Puppy. Whenever she whines say to her "do you have to potty?" or an equivalent. When she whines again, Take her to where she goes potty. Say "go potty". When she is done say "good potty/good girl" and give her a treat. Then take her STRAIGHT back to her crate and take her out a little later when she is quite and calm. I did this with my dog and when I ask him if he has to go he responds with a whine and then I know to take him. You have to use your best judgment too. If you just took her potty and she starts whining again, you know she is playing you. So, give her crate a little "earthquake" (Pick up the crate an inch from the ground and drop it, just to startle her). This really works. Also, hitting the top of the cage or the wall to make a loud noise. The dog starts associating the scary loud noise to her whining. Also, I would just make sure to get up early enough to let her out. But make sure its not too early or she will start to expect it every day. Dogs thrive on routine.