Fear and Trembling in the Crate
I have a question about crates. I dogwalk for my neighbor... I don't have my own dog so don't know much about basic dog issues. Because he chews up everything if he is free in the house, he gets put in a crate during the day. When I go to get him, he is shaking like a leaf in his crate and has moved all his stuff to a corner... he is also drooling a lot. I walk him and he's fine but then he does not want to go back in his crate when it's time for me to leave. I've been told you shouldn't drag dogs into their crates so I try to use treats but he ignores them. After I leave, I can hear him screaming.  What's the deal? Will this dog ever like his crate?  Ashley |
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| Is he a puppy? When Asterisk was a puppy it took AGES for her to stop crying and digging when she was in her crate. I think it must have been close to a month's time. Currently, my little Levi guy is also screaming and digging at his crate. He had never been crated before. Crating is an excellent method to keeping both dogs and possessions safe. As time goes on, he will get used to it and feel more comfortable. Eventually the crate becomes like a personal sanctuary to a dog. A safe place for them to be. |
| I think it sometimes it depends on the dog's past. When we got our rescue girl Lucy we tried to crate train her. All of the positive things in the crate, food, treats, kongs, icecream, EVERYTHING we could think of. After 3 days of coming home to poop, pee, puke, and a stressed out dog who even tried to chew through the crate, we decided to "confine" her to the bathroom. She has had no problems since then. We assume something happened in her past that made her terrified of being in a crate. Sorry about your situation. I hope it gets better for the dog's sake! |
| We've had dogs who love crates and dogs who tolerate crates, and even one who HATED them. We used them with all, but as soon as the dog was trustworthy in the house we stopped using the crates. We've always left one open and available, but out of the five we've had only Hudson has ever shown any interest in the crate on his own. He goes in when he's overwhelmed or there are scary noises. Otherwise he does well confined to a specific room. It's possible this dog is left way too long in the crate, and has really learned to hate it. My heart goes out to him. The shaking and drooling are concerning. Moving everything to a corner isn't that odd. I always tried blankets in crates. Every sheepie I've ever had squished them into a corner and napped on the cool bottom of the crate. Have you talked with your neighbour about what you've observed? If my dog were freaking out like that I'd want to know. Our Rudy is still crated (not housebroken yet and swallows everything). I hear him bark when I leave, but have waited around long enough outside to know he settles quickly and he's fine by the time I get home. |
| Thanks for all the advice! The dog is no longer a puppy (he's a year and a bit now) but he was rescued so we think he has some problems with anxiety. I spoke with my neighbor and she'll be getting an expert to come check him. THANKS AGAIN!  |
| my sheepies both hated crates. They would drool and cry, so we fenced off a bit of the kitchen and they were fine. Whereas my yorkie who was obviously brought up in a crate absolutely loved hers...x |
| Poor buddy. It sounds like an anxiety issue... maybe separation anxiety. I'm not a professional... this is only my guess based on what you shared. I have a dog that arrived with separation anxiety issues... it took about a year and included medication to help her through it. Drooling, whining, barking, howling, pacing... also pottying in inappropriate places and also her crate (we took it down and puppy-proofed a room instead- we think she had been over-crated)... destructive behavior when left out or simply closed a door between us. She can now be left loose in the house. She will still on occasion take something cloth or paper off the table while we're away and leave it on the floor undamaged. Behavior modification and sometimes medication can help a dog suffering with this condition. The owners should really discuss this with their vet because the dog is indeed suffering IF it's an anxiety issue. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... 5&aid=2266 Wishing him the best  |
| The crate is a very big negative to the dog. Maybe it was punishment or was yelled and hit while in the crate. I hope the behaviorist can find a way to calm the poor creature. It will take a long time to over come this. Yes, maybe a room is better. |
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