Crate training

[caz]

We're trying to crate train Marley and I've looked at the link that said about feeding them in the crate then giving them lots of positive reinforcement with treats.

We've started feeding him in it and he's happy enough with that but soon as you close the door, he wants out and gets quite worked up. He can't even be distracted with treats and soothing tones etc.

Does anyone have any other hints and tips we can use to get him trained?

[noodle]

Have you tried him with one of those large filled bones? Mine will gnaw on them for hours and then fall asleep. And it cleans theit teeth too. If he really likes it, only allow him it in the crate.
Our crates are left open during the day, so they can use them if they want to. We often find all 3 in one crate and Elsa even asks to go in sometimes if the door is shut.

[agilebasenji]

i'd suggest the dvd Crate Games.

[wizard]

Do you have an x-pen for him? Maybe he doesn't like being confined in the small space of a crate and the x-pen would give him more room - you can even hook the two together. Do you have his favoritie blanket in it and some toys? It might take some time for him to feel comfortable in it. And how long have you been working with him on this?

[caz]

Noodle, he does have a large filled knee bone which he chews on but only seems to do it when he has a notion. Doesn't seem to be his most favourite thing IYSWIM?

Wizard, we've had the crate for about 2 weeks and it's been open for him to wander in and out of and use for his bed. He has his favourite bit of vetbed as well as his cuddly toys that he likes.

I'll have a look at x-pens and this dvd you suggest, thank you.

[Tisa]

I have the same problem. I haven't crate trained mine when she was little (I am so sorry about that). She is now 2,5 years old. She loves her crate and she is sleeping in it but with doors opened. Today I tried to closed the door and I was in the same room all the time. First minute she was just exploring the crate and where she can go out, and than…..she start to cry loudly....I have never heard her cry like that before...and she was shaking...It was horrible......I went to the crate and calm her down throe closed doors. When she was a little bit calm I gave her a treat and than let her out. Is that ok or should I let her cry (but I think if I do that she will start to hate the crate). If it's ok, should I repeat this till she get use to it? I am not training her to sleep in it with closed doors. I would like to train her to get in when I am at work so I can take her with me.... Any suggestion?

[NerdyDogOwner]

@caz:

We're trying to crate train Marley and I've looked at the link that said about feeding them in the crate then giving them lots of positive reinforcement with treats.

We've started feeding him in it and he's happy enough with that but soon as you close the door, he wants out and gets quite worked up. He can't even be distracted with treats and soothing tones etc.

Does anyone have any other hints and tips we can use to get him trained?

Don't close the door all the way in the start. Just start closing it bit by bit.

That's what I did with Gizmo. I played with him, gave treats etc all around/in the crate. When he slept I closed the crate door just a little, after a week or so when he was comfortable with that I started closing it even more…and so on. It took some time, but eventually I managed to have the crate door closed.

Also, where is the crate located? Gizmo was very happy being in a closed crate as long as he was in my bedroom so he could see me.

@Tisa:

I have the same problem. I haven't crate trained mine when she was little (I am so sorry about that). She is now 2,5 years old. She loves her crate and she is sleeping in it but with doors opened. Today I tried to closed the door and I was in the same room all the time. First minute she was just exploring the crate and where she can go out, and than…..she start to cry loudly....I have never heard her cry like that before...and she was shaking...It was horrible......I went to the crate and calm her down throe closed doors. When she was a little bit calm I gave her a treat and than let her out. Is that ok or should I let her cry (but I think if I do that she will start to hate the crate). If it's ok, should I repeat this till she get use to it? I am not training her to sleep in it with closed doors. I would like to train her to get in when I am at work so I can take her with me.... Any suggestion?

Just let her cry. The fact that you are going over to her to comfort is strengthening her to cry. She now in under the impression that crying is the only way to get out. Only when she stops should to give her attention. Even if it's just a quick stop to take a breath.
If you keep going to he when she cries she will never stop. You want to to understand that being quiet and laying down is the right thing.

When she stops, give her a quick treat and say Good Girl. Then turn back to your business. Rinse and repeat a few times, then let her out. You don't want to push her too hard. Just do short sessions and start increasing the time she is in the crate slowly.

Personally I would also try to get her to sleep in the crate. You want her to see the crate as "her room", a comforting place where she can relax.

[basenji_fan]

When you feed him in the crate and close do you walk away? I had a foster that was terrified of the crate and also suffered terrible anxiety w/peeing in the crate too.

So I would feed him in the crate and then close the door and sit right there with him. At first I only closed the door half way, did that way for about a week then was able to close it all the (without latching) for another week. I would sit right next to the crate and praise him for eating his meals. Then I would scoot a few feet back at one meal, move back at the next and do that for a for a few times. Then I would stay at the few feet back.

It is a slow process but it really really helped him in his crate training process and getting him over his fear. I was soon able to feed him in his crate and walk away. He was running to his crate and sitting for his meals. He still had his anxiety for long periods w/the peeing problem but we even worked on that were we could leave for short times and he wouldn't pee in his crate