I had my last final today at 8:30 in the morning.  I had to crate Olive while I was gone because my roomies were sleeping.  She was crying when I left, but I thought she would get tired of whining and go to sleep within a few minutes.. well I get home 2 HOURS later and she had been crying the whole time   This crate training business is difficult.  I HAVE to leave her alone sometimes, but I feel like I'm torturing her (not to mention my roomies ears).  I'm going to start feeding her all her meals in there, and I'm not going to let her take her Bully stick out of her crate either.  If she wants a treat, she has to get it in the crate.  Today I got her to eat and chew her stick in the crate (with the door open), but as soon as I closed the door she forgot all about her treats.  Anybody got any other tips?  Gosh I hope she learns soon enough to like the crate..

Kristen: Have you read this thread? There's an excellent discussion on gradually getting your rattie to stay in the crate willingly and quietly for longer periods of time.

Also, some ratties, including my Daisy, are happier with a covered crate. Daisy's is covered with a throw except for the front door side.

http://www.rat-terrier.com/Home/tabid/37/forumid/5/postid/3963/view/topic/Default.aspx

Covering the crate is an excellent suggestion, but even then... please expect SOME transition time before Olive is totally ok with being in the crate. I'm sorry -- it's just part of the training process. It would be wonderful if our pups would just go into the crates by themselves and be totally happy there -- but alas... it simply just doesn't happen that way. There's a learning curve for your furpup and the time it takes varies with each dog. Please hang in there -- I PROMISE you that these first few weeks will be WELL worth the time you spend on this. Also... when you leave her, leave her with a kong filled with peanut butter.

Olive is a sweetheart -- such a pretty pup!