Crate aggression question

[krystyne73]

I've been working with a trainer with my new GSD rescue, Sasha. The only problem she is still having at home is when she is in her crate, in the dogs room at night, she becomes very dominant on who shall walk pass her to go outside.
My other GSD can not walk by her to go outside without Sasha attacking the crate, literally moving it 6 feet some nights. It is the only access to the back door.
Oh, and she only goes crazy if the dogs try to pass her alone, if I am in the room she doesn't do it. I can't tell if she is being aggressive or alerting me in a psychotic way.
My trainer tells me I need to correct this right away. Well, I am asleep way on the other side of the house. He tells me I should move her crate to another room. But I feed her in that crate (It's a crate for a Great dane BTW) and I refuse to have that thing in our Bdm and our other empty room is for the old Great Dane.

Can I keep Sasha in a smaller crate, in the bedroom at night and use the big crate for feedings and when she is home alone? Will this confuse her?

[patti]

I have a similar issue with Bo. So I'm not an expert. For a while I thought I would just allow him to have that one area, as he is perfect everywhere else. He will share the bed in the living room with any other dog, and even not mind if the old dog takes his rawhide. Yesterday though I stood my ground and scolded him for his attitude with his kennel, and he seemed surprised and backed off and let the old dog walk near him. Not sure if I'll push it on a regular basis. Also, I have crates in two rooms, by my bed and near the kitchen, so it doesn't confuse Bo. I feed him in the one near the kitchen.

[DeeMcB]

What if you moved the crate to an area that wasn't in the path of the only access to the door? Sometimes limiting the triggers is a better option than trying to teach them to "deal with it". For my dog (soon to be dogs), their crates are in quiet areas so that they feel safe and peaceful in them without any need for defensiveness. Is there an area like that you could move him to? There may be another dog who is fine with being in the line of traffic that you could switch with.

[krystyne73]

yeah, its weird. She doesn't guard her crate. She even lets the others lay in her crate during the day. But once we all go to bed, she thinks the other dogs should not be roaming the house lol. The barking and tossing about in the crate is crazy. Once she sees that I am there then she acts like it's okay.

But there is no way for me to correct it fast enough at 3am hahaha

and my trainer is against shock collars.

[krystyne73]

Originally Posted by DeeMcB

What if you moved the crate to an area that wasn't in the path of the only access to the door? Sometimes limiting the triggers is a better option than trying to teach them to "deal with it". For my dog (soon to be dogs), their crates are in quiet areas so that they feel safe and peaceful in them without any need for defensiveness. Is there an area like that you could move him to? There may be another dog who is fine with being in the line of traffic that you could switch with.

I tried that. Its a 400 sq ft "dog" room and I have moved the crate to every corner, covered her with a blanket to block her view and even put a futon in front. Nothing has worked.

[DeeMcB]

Nowhere else in the house that you could try? Outside of the dog room, I mean?

[krystyne73]

This is the crate and half of the room. i tried blocking the futon with the crate before and moving it far away from the dog door but she will actually move it on to the carpeting during a barking rampage.

[krystyne73]

Originally Posted by DeeMcB

Nowhere else in the house that you could try? Outside of the dog room, I mean?

I can put a smaller crate in the bedroom but in the kitchen, lvg rm, dog room has not worked. All those rooms are toward the walk way to the outside. Otherwise I would have to put her upstairs in our other empty rooms but she would really be by herself.

I just wonder how many people use different crates for one dog at a time.

[DeeMcB]

Personal opinion inserted here, I would try the upstairs and see what happens. Being by herself at night might not be a bad thing if it's causing her, you and the other dogs to not be able to rest to have her in the dog room.

Anxious to hear what others think, but I would try it. Choose your battles. If this is a situation where you can eliminate the stressor for her, it may be worth it. Maybe try again once she's more settled.

[krystyne73]

I might try it. Only it will be all on me to put her to bed, since my husband can't go upstairs but he rarely helps me with the dogs anyways .lol

Yeah I was hoping more people would have had experience with this . we will see what others say.
I just don't want to undo the progress I have made with her if it's going to stress her out more.