my max HATES his crate

[Scrapper's Mom]

What about using one of those wire "corrals" that have about six or eight sides and clip together? They come up to 48 inches high and you can put his bed and toys in there. They are more open than a crate and maybe your baby would like it better.

 

[mymax]

thaks for all the replies...keep them coming!

Thanks to everyone who has replied! I saw a few new ideas to try....I wasn't too surprised when I read that Emma broke out of her crate. Max had learned to unlock his... we had to go out and buy a seperate lock (our Max is quite clever). We've also tried putting a blanket over his crate to give it that "den" feeling but he just pulled the blanket through the wires:o Scraooer's mom, could you tell me more about these corrals...how sturdy, how much, and were could I get one? Well I'm off to work tomorrow...I'll let you know how it goes for poor Maxamillion. Cheers! MyMax

Ps. My husband is convinced that by the end of the week, he'll be used to his new routine....I hope he's right>

 

[mymax]

oops!

Hi Scrappers mom....not scraooers's mom:o opps sorry about the typo! MyMax!

 

[Emma'sMamma]

Emma's crate was the all black metal crate. I really didn't think it was all the flimsy, and it probably isnt. Emma is a pretty determined pup. We are going to try it again. Maybe she won't freak out so much now that she is a little older. :(

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

I checked on the web and found they are called Gorilla Tough "exercise pens" on the Drs. Foster and Smith website. They consist of flat panels of crate-cage-like heavy wire that you can put in any configuration and lock together. Kind of like a movable fenced in area for the dog. Check out the Dr. F & S website for an example, they come in either eight or twelve sided versions. In fact, I believe it's a Boxer shown in the one on their website. I've seen them sold at all the pet stores in our area as well. Some systems allow panels to be added or removed to increase or decrease the size of the enclosed area. My sister used one for her Dobie when she was young and not quite trustworthy. Of course, you might want to do some comparative shopping to get the strongest, most secure locking ones. Also, as with the crate, don't leave his collar on if he's in the pen. Hope this helps.

 

[Wendy Swalls]

Our experience with the "ex-pens" wasn't good. Mickey climbed his and was out all day when he was 8 weeks old! He also hated his crate, but we just hung in there and let him get used to it. Now he lays in it when we're around the house and goes in when commanded to do so. Just hang in there, it takes time with some pups. We NEVER thought we'd get Mickey used to his, and sometimes he still cries when he wants out and knows someone is home to let him out. Crate training is so good for your baby, it is worth it to us to work through the crying.

 

[boxermom5]

My computer just crashed and I lost my entire thread!
So I'll make a kinda long story short.

Tess (who is now 7 years) used to bounce her crate across the house and break out of it. I know because I sat outside one day and listened - but I drove the car down the road and parked it first so she would think I was gone. Once, which was the last straw, I came home to find the crate, still completely in tact with the door latched shut, on the other side of the house with the answering maching inside! (I guess it was pulled in thru the small gap at the base of the crate? or maybe gremlins did it?!?) Tess was somehow in the living room - go figure! She had ripped down the vertical blinds and shredded them, and ripped the power cord to the computer out of the wall, socket and all, and chewed it into perfect little bite sized pieces :eek: - fortunately there was no fire and she was not electricuted!

The laundry room was my next choice, since it is the safest room in the house - no wires to shred. But Tess managed to jump up on the dryer and pee in protest of being left alone, and she pulled all the knobs off both machines and chewed them up. I have a baby gate type thing on top of the machines now so that she can't get up there. I took her to work with me for about 2 years, when I had a boss that absolutely adored boxers, but was asked to leave her home when that boss left and the new one came.

The vet said she suffered from severe separation anxiety, and that was why she was so destructive when she was left alone. If I was merely outside without her she was ok, but when she heard the car leave she would have a meltdown.

My solution was to get a 2nd boxer, Tenaia (now 2 years) and I have no more problems. They keep each other company, and the entertainment value of 2 is so much better than 1 for me!! What funny girls they are.

Jen - mom to Tess, 7 fawn female, natural ears, & Tenaia, 2 dark brindle female, natural ears

 

[Paulette]

My rescue boxer, Joe, was terrified in the crate and broke out of it on two occasions...bloodying his nose and cutting his head. It was awful. He had separation anxiety so severe that we agonized as to whether we would survive! He tore up couches..a kitchen floor and put a hole through my dry wall. We finally discovered that if we left him in the living room, so he could see out the picture window, with the other dogs gated in the kitchen...he would survive the day without too much damage. Everything had to be taken in the other room that wasn't nailed down...couch cushions..pillows ...plants...knick knacks..throw rugs! But...1 year later we have great news to report! I don't know whether it's because he has entered his 3rd year...or if he understands that he's here to stay and we won't give up on him. Anyway..we started gating him in the kitchen with the other dogs for short periods of time and had great a response from him. This last month..we have been able to leave him all day with no damage to the kitchen! I guess what I'm trying to say is "hang in there"...it will be so worth it! Paulette

 

[mymax]

Max's first week in the crate

Well, I'm happy to say Max survived his first week in the crate. He didn't eat well the whole week and when I put him inthe crate, there was a lots of woo-woo's (and tears from me, walking to catch my bus to work) but thanks to all your support, I really do believe he will eventually get used to it. My only comfort is that I know he's safe in the crate and eventually, it won't be such an ordeal. Thanks again for all your support and hopefully when someone has a similar problem I will be able to write that how my dog hated once too....thanks again folks!!!! MyMax

 

[shtster]

My Bucabu hated his crate initially. Would just scream at the thought of being put in there for the night. I like a good mommy couldnt stand the noise and so i would go into the room and lay on the floor and whisper and coo at him until he settled down...Well anyone who knows a boxer knows this was a huge!!! mistake. I took a while...about a week to learn my lesson and quit that practice. It took about 2 or 3 days for him to figure out that all that fussing wasnt going to get him out for the night. If he fussed for about 10 minutes I would take him out on leash to go potty with no reinforcement and promptly put him back in the crate when we came back in the house. Now he "willingly" goes into his crate when told to go to bed. We rarely use it for a time out unless he is really being stubborn and obstinate. For him his crate is now a place of retreat and comfort even when we place him there while we are out of the house. I learned that I had to be the stubborn one and not let his whining and screeching sway my resolve that his crate was a good idea for him and me.