Crate Issues...

[pwilsonct]

Some of you know we adopted a 6 month old puppy 2 weeks ago from a nice family whose situation changed. She had never been crate trained and was allowed free roam of their house and furniture. We are trying to crate train her as my husband is not too keen on giving her that much freedom, especially with the furniture.
With that said, we began crate training her by setting the crate up in the house and letting her get used to its presence for about a week. By the end of that week, I had been leaving treats for her to find in it, playing catch with her by throwing her toys in it which she would retrieve without issue, and any time she went in or near the crate we'd go crazy with praise and affection. After that, for a couple of days I would do the same things but then also get in the crate and call her to hang out with me in it, sit in it with her for a while and close the door — all without issue. I've closed her in the crate with treats and praise and after 5 minutes or so, she'd whine and cry, but I'd talk to her, tell her no, and once she was calm for 5 minutes or more, let her out with praise, etc. then increasing the time gradually.
I thought I was doing everything right, and the first day we crated her for 3 hours or so she was fine. The next day, and ever since, it's been a nightmare. She has broken out of it several different ways (by bending bars, prying the door open, kicking the tray out and maybe escaping through the bottom) and wreaked havoc on the house. It seems once she gets out of it, she'll pick one thing to destroy (once was a book, another time a new bag of flour (!), etc.) and then she's okay. No accidents in the house, just her on the furniture & toys all over the place. Yesterday, we were successful in keeping her in it with zip ties and she seemed to sulk all night and not be herself.
I want her to be safe but I don't want her to think she's being punished or hate her crate. Any ideas? Thanks for sticking with me this far.

 

[astrobuckeye]

I think maybe the pup needs to adjust to the change in lifestyle. My girl hated her crate initially and it would take me around 10 minutes to coax her into it when I would leave for work. And now just through sheer repetition I just toss in a toy before I leave and in she goes. If the escaping is an issue, you might try another type of kennel. The plastic kennels used for like air travel are very sturdy.

 

[CMWhite]

New Issues

Brutus was used to a crate when we got him and we had no problems getting him to accept hs new home. We have only had him for about 5 days and within the past two he's started whining and fussing after going in. I have had the last several days off of work to help get him settled and housebroken, but I'll be going back to work in a few days. He will only be crated for 3-4hrs during the week but I want to nip this problem before it becomes too big. Any ideas?

 

[jppodst]

Separation Anxiety?

Sounds like it might be Separation Anxiety.

We had a Boston Terrior one time come in to the Rescue I work with.....at night the dog would get out of his crate, and tear up the room. If we shut the dog in a room, he would jump up and down and bit the door knob......going to far to tear it off the door. This was a Extreme version of Sepatation Anxiety, however like us pets can also come down with Separation Anxiety.

There is something called Rescue Remidy that you can try...its all natrual and it is used in the rescues to ease Anxiety at rescue events.

-Jason

 

[trdavis]

Crystal did the same thing. I reinforced the crate with zip ties to help keep her in it. Before I leave I give her a treat and some toy that will keep her occupied. It's getting better everyday and she hasn't been able to get out of it. Although sometimes I come home and she's kicked the tray out from it.

 

[Barron's mom]

My 5 1/2 month puppy Zeus escaped his crate a couple of times. I have no idea how he did it because I made sure the door was secured before I left. I try to coax Zeus into the crate before I leave for work in the morning with a frozen kong filled with treats and peanut butter or a large marrow bone but that doesn't always work; I usually have to carry him into the crate and then close the door. I also leave a radio on.