1 year old no longer likes to be crated

Sierra's Mom · 11-17-2011, 10:13 AM

I saw some similar posts and just want a little more advice. My 1 year old decided a few weeks ago that she no longer likes to go in her crate when I go to work. She will ran under the bed and I end up having to drag her out and walk her to the crate. Then she will whine and bark. I am not sure how long as I leave. She also moved the crate tray in the bottom out and tore the carpet apart about a week ago(the only thing she has ever damaged in our house). We have since secured the tray and put a mat under the crate to protect the floor. Before she was happy to run in there and wait for her treat before I went to work. She seemed excited when i told her to "crate up". Now she runs under the bed(she likes to eat her chews under there so it is most likely a place she feels safe).

Here is what we have ruled out/tried: Even if she is tired(its not an excercise thing) she will behave like this. We have tried a special high value treat to ask her to go in, doesnt work. We have a sitter so its not like she is in there for 8 hours, except one day a week she has to do 8 hours. We have even started crating her again while we are home in hopes she will be better in it. She usually does fine with this (its like she knows).

Over the last few months we have been giving her more freedom out of the crate when we are not home. She does great. We are up to about 3 hours. I think she could go longer and doesnt really need the crate at home much longer......

BUT... My husband and I travel a few times a year and like to bring her so we need a dog that can be good in a crate in hotel room or another person's home. We cant be getting kicked out of a hotel for having a barking dog if we try to go to dinner. I really need suggestions on how to continue working on giving her freedom and getting her to like her crate again so we can use it when we travel. Anyone have any experiences that would help?

fg2chase · 11-17-2011, 10:48 AM

I experimented with leaving one of mine in a spare bathroom we have, he seemed to do really well but I stopped doing it when he figured out how to open the toilet lid and drink all the toilet water... ugh..

mssandslinger · 11-17-2011, 10:52 AM

do you leave the crate open during the day? i would try just always hiding treats in there and maybe start over with putting her in there for just a min then letting her out and treating her and extend the time. my lab did this and i had to pretty much start crate training over again. she liked the freedom too much haha. and she also liked it when i put a blanket over the crate to make is feel like a cave, im not sure what kind of crate you have if its all open or not.

kiya · 11-17-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fg2chase

I experimented with leaving one of mine in a spare bathroom we have, he seemed to do really well but I stopped doing it when he figured out how to open the toilet lid and drink all the toilet water... ugh..

Years ago, before I knew how wonderful crates are..I used to use the bathroom. Until one time we came home to find the dog at the time turned on the water in the tub. I don't remember how long we were out that afternoon but OMG what a mess that was.
I started using the kitchen for long periods of time, gates, clip the cabinets totally puppy proofed. Lakota is my 3rd pup to be confinded this way while we go to work or out. The rate she's going she'll be in the kitchen for a while.

Sierra's Mom · 11-17-2011, 11:13 AM

I am experimenting with blanket on it and off of it. She usually will pull the blanket in.

The other problem i have but dont think it is realted is about 3 months ago(way before the "crate hate") my male cat peed on her blanket twice. UGH!!!! SO now we cant leave anything in there for fear of a golden shower when the door is open. Which makes it hard/impossible to hide treats in there or leave a nice fluffy bed in there while the crate door is open. But I do leave it open.

11-17-2011, 10:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sierra's Mom Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 33	1 year old no longer likes to be crated I saw some similar posts and just want a little more advice. My 1 year old decided a few weeks ago that she no longer likes to go in her crate when I go to work. She will ran under the bed and I end up having to drag her out and walk her to the crate. Then she will whine and bark. I am not sure how long as I leave. She also moved the crate tray in the bottom out and tore the carpet apart about a week ago(the only thing she has ever damaged in our house). We have since secured the tray and put a mat under the crate to protect the floor. Before she was happy to run in there and wait for her treat before I went to work. She seemed excited when i told her to "crate up". Now she runs under the bed(she likes to eat her chews under there so it is most likely a place she feels safe). Here is what we have ruled out/tried: Even if she is tired(its not an excercise thing) she will behave like this. We have tried a special high value treat to ask her to go in, doesnt work. We have a sitter so its not like she is in there for 8 hours, except one day a week she has to do 8 hours. We have even started crating her again while we are home in hopes she will be better in it. She usually does fine with this (its like she knows). Over the last few months we have been giving her more freedom out of the crate when we are not home. She does great. We are up to about 3 hours. I think she could go longer and doesnt really need the crate at home much longer...... BUT... My husband and I travel a few times a year and like to bring her so we need a dog that can be good in a crate in hotel room or another person's home. We cant be getting kicked out of a hotel for having a barking dog if we try to go to dinner. I really need suggestions on how to continue working on giving her freedom and getting her to like her crate again so we can use it when we travel. Anyone have any experiences that would help?

11-17-2011, 10:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
mssandslinger Master Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: arizona/ where we only have one season Posts: 643	do you leave the crate open during the day? i would try just always hiding treats in there and maybe start over with putting her in there for just a min then letting her out and treating her and extend the time. my lab did this and i had to pretty much start crate training over again. she liked the freedom too much haha. and she also liked it when i put a blanket over the crate to make is feel like a cave, im not sure what kind of crate you have if its all open or not. __________________ "And they call it...puppy looooovvveeee"

11-17-2011, 10:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
fg2chase Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Copperas Cove, TX Posts: 56	I experimented with leaving one of mine in a spare bathroom we have, he seemed to do really well but I stopped doing it when he figured out how to open the toilet lid and drink all the toilet water... ugh..

11-17-2011, 11:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sierra's Mom Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 33	I am experimenting with blanket on it and off of it. She usually will pull the blanket in. The other problem i have but dont think it is realted is about 3 months ago(way before the "crate hate") my male cat peed on her blanket twice. UGH!!!! SO now we cant leave anything in there for fear of a golden shower when the door is open. Which makes it hard/impossible to hide treats in there or leave a nice fluffy bed in there while the crate door is open. But I do leave it open.

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