Quote Originally Posted by Jessika
How would you recommend conditioning her to being used to being in it?? I don't want to ONLY put her in it when I leave because that will teach her that when she goes in, I leave. Should I put her in periodically during the day while I'm home too? Should I cover it? Leave it uncovered? Leave a TV/radio on?

When I am home and she is inside, should I tell her "NO" for barking/whining or ignore completely?
Wew ignored Ginger and now Bob's barking, when they were inside crate and we were home. Usually they gave up. If they got to crazy and really drove us crazy, we would say "NO" and maybe a pet on the head through cage and go back to ignoring. It helps to leave a chewing toy or two. Also leave your door to cage wide open so they can go into on own if they feel like it. When they do, if they do, praise them like they just did a "wonderful thing" anf=d give them a treat. Make sure to set the treat inside the cage. If they are still in it, then you will giving it to then for being in it. If they have come back out by time you got the treat, then you are encouraging them to go back in by placing it in the cage for her to get.

Sometimes when they go in and slump down, just casually go over and quietly , without making a fuss, close the door and latch it. They may stand up and act like they want out but if you ignore they will slump back down. Just arbitrarily go over at some time and unlock it and open but don't necessarily "call them out" This way they will get used to the fact that sometimes it's open, sometimes it's not - no big deal and they can handle it!!!

Some people like to leave on radio or TV - I don't. I am purist and I think it is a waste of electricity, not to mention the wear on your picture tube.

I would not cover it as it seems to make them even more anxious when they hear something and can not see it.