Hello Kimberly, It’s possible pup wasn’t feeling well or hear something you couldn’t that started the barking that first night, but this is also a common age for puppies to test boundaries and see what they can get away with and how consistent you will be. Either way, pup is probably protesting the crate now because they have decided the bed is what they prefer and throwing a bit of a doggie tantrum when they don’t get their way. You will need to make sure this isn’t a potty issue though. If it’s been at least 7.5 hours since pup last went potty, then may need a potty trip if they wake up barking at that point, but should then be returned to the crate not into your bed after, and taken on leash and not rewarded with play or food, so they won’t be motivated to wake for non-potty needs also. How does pup do in the crate during the day? If pup also barks then now, I would start by addressing the daytime, then once pup knows the rules, add in the night in a couple days. If pup is fine during the day and only protests at night, I would teach the Quiet command, skip the rewards at night, and correct the barking when pup barks before it’s been 7.5 hours at night, as detailed below. First, work on teaching the Quiet command during the day using the Quiet method from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Second, during the day practice the Surprise method from the article linked below. Whenever pup stays quiet in the crate for 5 minutes, sprinkle some treats into the crate without opening it, then leave the room again. As he improves, only give the treats every 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hour, 2, hour, 3 hour. Practice crating him during the day for 1-3 hours each day that you can. If you are home during the day, have lots of 30 minute – 1 hour long sessions with breaks between to practice this, to help pup learn sooner. Whenever he cries in the crate, tell him “Quiet”. If he gets quiet – Great! Sprinkle treats in after five minutes if he stays quiet. If he continues barking or stops and starts again, spray a quick puff of air from a pet convincer at his side through the crate while calmly saying “Ah Ah”, then leave again. Only use unscented air canisters, DON’T use citronella! And avoid spraying in the face. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Repeat the rewards when quiet and the corrections whenever he cries. Practice for a couple of days until he starting to grasp the concept during the day. You can either continue what you are currently doing at night during this process or go ahead and jump into what I explain below for night time training – waiting until the day is good before starting the night or starting the night and day both at the same time. When he cries at night (in the crate – where he needs to be sleeping for now) before it has been 7.5/8 hours (so you know it’s not a potty issue), tell him Quiet, and correct with the pet convincer if he doesn’t become quiet and stay quiet. If he needs to go potty, take him on leash, keeping it super boring, then return to the crate after a 15 minute potty trip, correcting any crying in the crate once pup’s bladder has been emptied outside at that point. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 5, 2022