Question by lotus006: How can I make my dog like her crate?
My 5 Month Old Boxer Puppy does not like her crate, she doesn't whine (she's very quite usually) while she's in the crate.
But she doesn't like it either- I have to put her front two paws in for her them she reluctently goes in- she'll paw at the cage and sometimes pant. She eventually gives up and lays down.
I'd like her to "like her crate"!! She has a nice pad in there (have tried removing it too- same affect). She has water and food and refuses to eat or drink. Maybe a blessing anyhow.
She has plenty of room to move around- I even attached her smaller crate to the large one so she could go into that one... she seems to like it better... it's the one she came to us in. She'll just lay down in the little crate or not get in at all...
I want to make sure i'm not doing anything wrong. We use to put her toys in the crate to lure her in but she would just "rescue" them from the crate one by one until they were all out.
She has a brother that comes and visits he loves her crate and will hang out in it. We've tried to have them both in there but she just goes into the smaller crate and stays in there while he eats her food and looks happy to have such a lavish crate to hang out in.
She stays in there before her walks, 4 times a day for about 30 minutes after she has eaten. Sometimes she has to stay in the for about 6 hours because I work from home but inevitably I have to run and do chores or meet a client. She doesn't go potty while she's in there.
PLEASE HELP... I want me puppy to be happy and like her crate.
Thanks
Best answer:
Answer by Doe Woes
Put two of her favorite treats in the back let her go in and get them then come out again do this a few times then put in one of her favorite toys put the treats and toy in again and zip or fasten her crate Hope this helps! Good luck.
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Well, there you go. If I’ve read that correctly, you’ve got a 5 month old puppy of an extremely active breed sometimes spending 8 hours a day in a crate?!?! That’ll be why she doesn’t like it! I’m surprised she’s not being more vocal about protesting. She needs more time spent playing outside of the crate with her toys and with people, maybe more exercise, more training, not sure, you didn’t say how much time was spent on her walks, playing or training. Does she sleep in it at night as well? That would be another 8 hours in the crate?
I had the same problem with my boxer. When you first get the crate you have to show your dog that this crate is an awesome place to go. You put treats in there that she will only get when she goes in the crate. Put her in it while you are there for just a few minutes so she doesn’t associate the crate with being alone. I don’t know if this will work since she already has a negative reaction to the crate. Good luck!
It doesn’t sound like your puppy hates the crate, or is frightened of it, but she definitely doesn’t sound like she enjoys it either. The trick is to make the crate a positive experience-a place where she feels safe- and wants to go.
Try starting over with your pup on introducing the crate. Take a weekend or occasion when you are not scheduled to work for a couple days to dedicate time to work with her. First, remember NEVER to force her to go in, but instead leave it open for her to go in and out of freely. Placing some of her toys inside is a good idea, but also try adding something she can’t resist like a favorite treat. Then, every time she enters the crate on her own to investigate LAVISH her with praise. Even, if she only goes in briefly to retrieve the toy or treat that’s alright. Praise when she’s in and don’t respond when she comes out.
You mentioned she doesn’t want to eat in the crate. So, take baby steps with that by first placing her food dish right outside the crate, then just inside, and then eventually all the way inside. To encourage your pup to eat at designated feeding times DON’T leave the food out freely. Instead offer it in the morning, leaving it down only about 10 minutes and removing any uneaten portion after that time is up. Do the same for the next feeding period-some owners prefer to feed twice daily, while others feed as many as three meals, and little as one. Either way she will eventually learn this schedule and be eager to eat her food all at once then. This will help encourage her interest in the food you are using to entice her toward the crate. You can also add a little gravy, wet food, or chicken baby food for example as an extra enticement when the dish is inside the crate.
Every time you place a toy, treat, or food inside the crate use a phrase like “Go in your house” in a happy high pitched tone. She will eventually learn this command and go right into the crate when you ask.
Once you have accomplished that much start closing her inside with the treat, toy, food etc. and leave the room for ONLY a short period. Say, 30 minutes while you do something around the house. Then return to her and open the crate so she can come out as she pleases. Continue to do this gradually working up to longer time frames and continuing the positive reward and praise when she enters the crate on her own. If it’s possible, as you crate her for longer periods, especially overnight, keep the crate close to you so she doesn’t feel isolated while in it.
Try this approach and also research crate training online where you can get different trainers/owners perspectives on the best methods. Good luck and happy holidays!