My puppy hates her crate

[Krikkit]

One final note IMO I think they should all be trained to use the crate even if its not used all the time because you never know when you might need to crate them, for illness/injury or for a trip.

This is an excellent point All our dogs here are crate trained but I rarely use the crates at home. Occassionally I will crate someone for a little while just to keep in practice.

When dogs go to the vets for any procedures there is a 99% chance they will be crated. If your dog is used to a crate, and comfortable being crated, then there will be far less stress for them.

On a couple of occassions I've had to crate one of our dogs at home due to medical issues - it is the best possible way to 'keep them quiet'. Again, if they are crate trained, the whole thing is easier and not stressful for the dog. Amy was bitten by a Brown snake a couple of years ago. We had to keep her quite for several days after the bite / anti-venom etc and the fact that she was crate trained made things far easier for all of us and most probably helped save her life. Had we not been able to keep her very quiet I think we would have lost her.

Sharon

 

[Me-n-Zoe]

I stand informed! Thank you so much. That is a point well taken

 

[BoxerLuv82]

Hey guys, I'm about to go through the terrible "crate trainning" stage with my boy, Rocky. At first I wasn't fond of the idea of keeping him locked in a cage but unfortunately he seems to be suffering from seperation anxiety so you could imagine the fear I have of what I will find when I return home :(
This weekend I will be picking up a crate for him. The more I've read about crate trainning the better I feel about it. I rather him be in his safety zone while I'm away at work rather than roaming the house.. who knows what mess he could get himself into.
My question is: I know that I shouldn't put him in there right off the bat but rather, slowly get him used to the crate itself. Leaving the door open and putting some treats and toys in there and so forth. So, how long would you guys say I should wait before actually putting him in there with a closed door?
:confused:

 

[Krikkit]

It really depends on Rocky and how consistant you are I tend to go slower, rather than faster, and have never ever had any problems at all with crate training.

At first just put it up in the house and leave the door open - don't do anything with Rocky. You might want to put a treat in it, but dont' lure Rocky into it at all - if he goes in he goes in, if he does not, no big deal. Just leave it up for the first day so he is used to it. If it's a wire crate, or has not got a cover, drop a sheet or something over the top so it draps over the back and the two sides.

The next day encourage him to go in for a treat but don't close the door - do this 3-4 times in a row, several times over a few hours. Next, close the door and if he just sits in there, give him a treat through the door, then open it. Repeat several times. When you want to close the door and have him in the crate for a while, make sure it's at a time when he is sleepy. Then, when you want him in there when he is more awake, put him in with a stuffed Kong. You can also give him his meals in the crate if you want. If he is in his crate and you are around doing things, periodically go over and treat him - if he is resting leave him be, but if he is just lying down calmly watching things let him know this is good.

At all times keep in mind that you want the crate to be a good safe place for Rocky.

When you are working with the crate all the good stuff, treats and praise have to happen when he is actually in it. Don't let him out and make a fuss - just open the door and let him out, end of story.

FWIW I clicker train the crate these days and it's great. I can now say crate and have the dogs run into the house and into their crate from the front of our yard - about 250 meters away.

Have fun

Sharon

 

[Super Boo]

We thought Skye was getting used to his crate because he hasn't been barking. We only take him out when he is being quiet. Well now we've been coming home to what I thought was urine in the crate. Now I realize that he has been drooling (obviously a lot). I came home early one day and he literally had slobber running down his cheeks. I can't understand why he is so anxious. We put him in while we're home and he is very good.

I think he is such a sensitive little guy.

 

[BoxerLuv82]

Update

Sharon thank you so much for your helpful tips. So far so good. Rocky has become comfortale with his crate and I beliee he's learned to think of it as "his" den. When he has a toy he lays in there and chews it. Funny hting.. my little rat terrier has also taken a liking to HIS crate and has decided to share it with him as well :rolleyes:

Fortunately he doesn't mind and actually he gets very anxious when he is in there alone. He won't stop crying and whimpering until I put Princess in there with him. It's so cute because when I play with him (usually taking his toys and running with them) he will get his toy and run into his crate then look at me like.. neaner neaner neaner, you can't get it in here! I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing here, but I go along witht his and I let it be, getting none of his toys out of his crate when we play like that. Do you think it's ok to do that? In my mind I think it's a way of me telling him that it's his safety zone.. but then again I'm not sure if I might be sending the wrong idea either.

Super Boo: I also know what Skye is going through. Rocky has separation anxiety and when I leave him in his crate unfortunately I come home to soaked paws and drool all over the place. Not to mention sometimes the crate will find itself in the middle of the living room :confused: But I am trying to work on that little by little. Although the crate keeps him from destroying the house I still want to work on his SA. He must go crazy when he's in there alone. I've tried the Comfort Zone Plug In which worked to some extent. It does make them mellow but not completely cured yet, I'm sad to say he might just need to go on Clomicalm :(

 

[Super Boo]

I actually started working with Skye slowly by having him walk in and sit down--giving him a treat. Now he is getting comfortable with me closing the door and making him sit for longer and longer periods. I'm trying to turn it into a positive and not a negative--a place where GOOD things happen. I think it is going to just take time. I think he just associates it with us leaving all the time. But now I am making it part of his day. Cross your fingers for me.

 

[Basil's Mom]

When we first had Basil we had a travel kennel (plastic) our trainer suggested a different kind since some dogs may not like that kind. We switched to a metal crate and it made a huge difference. We still cover it with a sheet when she is sleeping, but she was more willing to go in it instantly.

 

[Hrly n Dvdsn]

My 6 1/2 mth old boxer Harley hated the crate for months. There are two people I work with who have the same problems with 2 other pups of the same litter. From our experience it seemed to just take some time. We kept her in her (we call it a "CAGE") cage at night and when we left. She'd beat herself unmercifully against it and she'd poo too. It was terrible!! Right when I said I could no longer stand the thought of her hurting herself anymore or sitting in that mess, she up an stopped. She hasn't had any episodes at all for at least 2mths now. I think she just realized that we will always come back to our little love.

 

[Super Boo]

Ok...this is the first successful moment. I've been only feeding Skye goodies in his crate (cheese yummy). He has to go in while we're at work, but I've had to shove him in the crate.

Anyway, after his daily practice at walking in and sitting down in his crate for a treat, when we were eating dinner today, we looked over and he had gone in and fallen asleep all by himself!!appicon

Now this is a puppy who starts shaking when you put him in!

Do they never stop surprising you??lovicon