Gabriel Br
my dog hates his crate, he whines and howls everytime he goes in there, i dont think he doesnt like being left alone as i leave him on his own at work and he is fine also i go in the room with his crate in and he still barks, what can i do to make him like it?
Answer
Some dogs take to it quikly, only having to be encouraged a few times to go in before they get to liking it. Offering all meals and treats in the crate and giving a really high value treat every time they go in willingly helps. Some dogs never willingly accept it until it is made clear that it is becoming a part of their life they don't really have any choice about. You have to build up to leaving the dog in it for any amount of time. I think the mistake people make is they leave the dog in there and start leaving the house for extended periods of time when he has not yet learned to at least be calm and quiet in it when humans are around. If he can't settle down when you're there, he'll only get worse when you leave.
For the time being I would crate him for an hour or two at a time while you're actually there watching, and be able to communicate to him one way or another that he needs to quiet down. I would see if he tires himself out and calms down on his own first before you even tell him to be quiet. If you must, don't be angry or don't sound sorry for the dog. Just walk over and give a calm, firm QUIET command and then go on about your business. Never remove him from the crate while he's excited.
Once he's calm while you're there, to the point where he'll lay down and sleep or accept food, you can start leaving the room for gradually longer amounts of time. But I would only try this once you're able to get him to stay calm and relax when you're actually around. Two good signs that it's time to start leaving him alone in the room in a crate for brief periods of time is when he lays down and when he accepts treats while in there. Dogs who won't take food are REALLY upset and uncomfortable with the situation. If he won't take a treat while he's in there, you might as well not bother leaving him un-attended. He will just make a huge racket and eventually try to break out.
Some dogs take to it quikly, only having to be encouraged a few times to go in before they get to liking it. Offering all meals and treats in the crate and giving a really high value treat every time they go in willingly helps. Some dogs never willingly accept it until it is made clear that it is becoming a part of their life they don't really have any choice about. You have to build up to leaving the dog in it for any amount of time. I think the mistake people make is they leave the dog in there and start leaving the house for extended periods of time when he has not yet learned to at least be calm and quiet in it when humans are around. If he can't settle down when you're there, he'll only get worse when you leave.
For the time being I would crate him for an hour or two at a time while you're actually there watching, and be able to communicate to him one way or another that he needs to quiet down. I would see if he tires himself out and calms down on his own first before you even tell him to be quiet. If you must, don't be angry or don't sound sorry for the dog. Just walk over and give a calm, firm QUIET command and then go on about your business. Never remove him from the crate while he's excited.
Once he's calm while you're there, to the point where he'll lay down and sleep or accept food, you can start leaving the room for gradually longer amounts of time. But I would only try this once you're able to get him to stay calm and relax when you're actually around. Two good signs that it's time to start leaving him alone in the room in a crate for brief periods of time is when he lays down and when he accepts treats while in there. Dogs who won't take food are REALLY upset and uncomfortable with the situation. If he won't take a treat while he's in there, you might as well not bother leaving him un-attended. He will just make a huge racket and eventually try to break out.
Dog crates.....?
Shannon
I've seen so many people in here talking about using dog crates. I am not one of those people who think they are cruel... I've just never used one because when any of my dogs were puppies, I was lucky enough to be home with them. Since then, my husband's and my work schedules have always staggered so our dogs were never left alone for very long. Now, with my 1 year old Boxer I've worked at home since we've gotten him so I'm here with him all the time and it was never really a concern to me.
My question, though, is what exacly is being recommended? Crate training for just when they are puppies? Or even using one for older dogs?? My dog usually isn't on his own for more than an hour or two.. if we go away, someone stays at the house with him usually. I've been lucky to have very well behaved dogs always so, like I said, I never even considered it. I just wondered if I was actually wrong in not using one.
Answer
Ditto on Shanna and Darlyn's answers
if you don't need one, thank your lucky stars. I have to crate my dogs as when they are loose in the house, they get anxious and get into things like - anythign they can find to get into! I would not want to come home to half a couch and a dead dog. When we are home, the kennel door are open and the dogs can choose to go lay in them. At night, the kennel doors are open and stay open, they can come and go. When we are gone, they are kenneled.
Now, while you may not need one, a kenneled dog might be something to consider. DP made a point one time of stating, in a case of emergency, how easy it would be for police,fire, whatnot to find and retrieve the dogs from their kennels if they need to get them out of the house. Or how easy it would be to deal with an emergency and leave them in their kennels.
A kennel to a dog - when trained properly, is viewed like a den, as a safe place, a refuge, so the dog has its own room. It's always nice to have your own room, your own place to go and our dogs meander over to their kennels even when we are home when they want some quiet time.
Just something to consider . . .
Ditto on Shanna and Darlyn's answers
if you don't need one, thank your lucky stars. I have to crate my dogs as when they are loose in the house, they get anxious and get into things like - anythign they can find to get into! I would not want to come home to half a couch and a dead dog. When we are home, the kennel door are open and the dogs can choose to go lay in them. At night, the kennel doors are open and stay open, they can come and go. When we are gone, they are kenneled.
Now, while you may not need one, a kenneled dog might be something to consider. DP made a point one time of stating, in a case of emergency, how easy it would be for police,fire, whatnot to find and retrieve the dogs from their kennels if they need to get them out of the house. Or how easy it would be to deal with an emergency and leave them in their kennels.
A kennel to a dog - when trained properly, is viewed like a den, as a safe place, a refuge, so the dog has its own room. It's always nice to have your own room, your own place to go and our dogs meander over to their kennels even when we are home when they want some quiet time.
Just something to consider . . .
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