I don't know if I am spoiling Polly since she was spayed on Monday. Since her surgery, she has spent most of her time outside of the crate lying with one of the family members. When she is in the crate she cries and cries. I feel bad or her because I think she is in pain, but I am afraid I will end up spoiling her.
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Did vet send you home with any pain meds?
yes she takes a pill once a day or four days. She doesn't cry when she is with us. I was wondering if I should put something soft in the crate for her to lie down on?
Sure, a blanket in her crate should be fine (assuming she's not a bed chewer) and if she seems more comfortable with one.
Covering her crate may help her settle more - in addition to lots of calm structure while she recovers.
We tried covering her crate when we first got her, she used to pull the sheet down and bite it, so we took it away. She treats her bed like a toy (or at least she did before she was spayed). She just seems miserable I don't want to put her in the crate at all.
What's most important now for Polly is-
1) she doesn't mess with her incision and
2) she isn't physically rip-roaring around the place while she's in recovery period from her surgery.
Whatever accomplishes those goals is what's most important right now. If she can stay calm with you or on a bed, that's all good. But if that means crating - then so be it.
Sorry to hear she's unhappy about it. All the more reason to "sell" it to her as much as you can...i.e. feed her meals in it, stuffed Kongs in it, fun low key games involving the crate. I'd ignore protests. I'd give her on-leash, controlled breaks (but not particularly "exciting" ones). Then a "pleasant but not optional" return to it.
Once she's recovered, she can have more freedom. And then...I'd play crate games even more. :)
To keep the sheet, towel, or blanket covering from being pulled inside the crate, get a piece of cardboard that is 2-3 inches larger than the crate. Put the cardboard on top of the crate. You may want to anchor it in some fashion (I haven't done this, but duct tape or zip ties come to mind). Then put the sheet on top of the cardboard. It will block her view, but she won't be able to reach it.
begaul's suggestions on making the crate a pleasant place to be are awesome.
She could well be vocalizing because she is now used to being with someone all the time. Easy thing to miss.
Once dogs shake off the anesthesia, most bounce back quickly. Surprisingly quickly. WE might be miserable, she probably is not.
Hang in there, you are clearly a really empathetic person and that is a nice thing.
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