Crate problems...

[jacobcaz]

I have a quick questions for ya'll.

Roxie is starting to no want to go into her crate. We only use it if we're going to be gone for extended periods of time, or when we're asleep.

We've been using the crate for about two, maybe three weeks and she took right to it. We even could say, "Let's go to bed" and she would go over and get in her crate.

The other day, she went and laid in her crate a few times, but then stayed away from it.

When we told her it was time to go to bed, she went to the back door and crouched down. She did go into her crate, and was fine once she was in there.

Last night she DID NOT want to go to her bed. I had to force her to go in, and then she was not a happy camper.

She settled down after about ten minutes and then was fine.

Today she has stayed far away from it.

I took her bedding out and checked to see if it was soiled, but it appeared clean. She even laid on her bedding out of the crate.

So what do I do? Force her into the crate or let her sleep in the garage? It's hot and muggy, and she likes to lay on the floor to keep cool. I wouldn't think the garage would be preferable to the crate.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

Thanks,

Jacob

[LORHEL]

How old is your dog? Is she still a pup? If so, just make sure to praise her for going into the crate, and provide a treat. Make it a positive experience. Consistency is key. If this is an adult dog, it might be a different situation. I would not keep her out in the garage, especially in summer time.

She will get used to it, just give her time and let her know its not an option.
;)

[jacobcaz]

Sorry, I should have said this. Roxie is almost 4 years old. We've only been with her for a month, but she took to the crate right away.

It's been fine for two or three weeks. It was just yesterday and the day before there have been ANY problems with her going in the crate.

[LORHEL]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, just keep praising her and give her a treat when she goes in. We got lucky with our 2 1/2 y.o. rescue girl, she didn't need a crate except for the first couple weeks when she was recovering from a broken leg...I had to literally put her in that thing, it was awful...but she is so well behaved I don't need it.

Good luck, it will get better...maybe while you are there (to supervise) you can put a bone or favorite toy in there..make her look forward to going in.

:)

[Judi W]

Sometimes when everything seems to be perfect, we forget to keep rewarding wanted behavior. When crate training, I toss a cookie in to the back of the crate, give a happy sounding "kennel" command, close the door and say good dog, good night. You've had her a very short time. She's starting to get comfortable with you and expressing her own opinions. Adjustment for all. My rule is you can go in the easy way, or the hard way. I always prefer the easy way unless forced by a recalcitrant dog to choose the hard way, but I am flexible. Can use either method if the dog insists.

[Storm]

I have found that by tossing a treat into the back of the crate does the job. Now whenever my guy comes inside he will run to the door of the crate and wait..................treat = dog in crate.:)
Like I said in my case it has worked but as posted it's either my way or the hard way, there is no compromise!

[dmunone]

When we adopted our 7-month-old rott-lab mix (now 1 yr old) we tried crating him at night - he struggled inside the crate so hard the first night that he broke it down and escaped. We traded that crate in for the more heavy-duty airline style crate and he figured out how to break out of that in very short order as well. We tried baiting the crate w/ treats and he wouldn't go near them (and this is a dog that will do anything for a bit of kibble!). So, now he sleeps in our bedroom next to our bed on a pallet of blankets and during the day, we've given him the sun-room of our house as his "den"; hopefully this is just a temporary fix. We're still dealing w/ some separation anxiety issues with him, so he can't be trusted as yet to stay in the main house unattended for any significant length of time. He was housetrained when we got him and is very dependable in that respect, he mainly tries to escape the room and claws, scratches, chews, etc. As he gains confidence, he is getting much better. He's a totally different boy than when we got him. I'm finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We're not sure what happened to him before we adopted him, but hopefully, we can help Bosco lead the life of a confident, well-adjusted and well-loved dog.

[mcgee]

Originally posted by jacobcaz
So what do I do? Force her into the crate or let her sleep in the garage? It's hot and muggy, and she likes to lay on the floor to keep cool. I wouldn't think the garage would be preferable to the crate.

I was just wondering where do you have the crate? Hopefully it is in a cool well ventilated area in your house and is not uncomfortably hot for her. You mention you dog prefers the cool floor in the garage. Maybe you should put the crate there and see how she likes.