Crate Training Help

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

Hi all, we are now a two-doodle family. On tuesday we got our rescue labradoodle, Raleigh. He is eight months old, about 2 inches taller than our other dog, and loads of energy. He seems to have a very sweet nature and disposition, but hes not listening great and we are unfortuantely in the process of re-deworming him. (hence, bloody diarrhea with worms all last night---much better and more normal today)  He was surrendered to the rescue because his previous owners didn't have time for him, and thus he knows some commands like "no", but not much more. I think he's potty-trained, but he has had a few accidents, which i'm chalking up to not feeling good and also being in a new environment.  I'm not sure as to what things he was allowed to do in his foster home ie: where he slept, if he was left out all day, etc.

So far things have not gone as smoothly as I thought. He absolutely adores our goldendoodle, Savannah, and so far I think the feelings are mutual. He follows her everywhere and she has been a perfect role model. She makes me so proud!

We thought we had a great solution for keeping him confined during the day, but it hasn't worked at all. We have a huge exercise pen that we called "house" for vannah when she was little--she loved it and never got out of it. She still even goes to "house" whenever it's out...she also knows her bed as that...but anyways. We planned on having him in this inside our master bathroom...plenty of room for him to lie down and stretch and fit his bed and plenty of toys. Well, he scaled the walls of it twice and knocked it down once.  He was terrified of going inside it and would only do so if bribed with cream cheese and then he would run right out. Needless to say, this is not working.

We are now using an actual crate with all four sides (the pen was open on top), but he's still not having it. We are putting it in our bedroom, next to vanny's bed, and with his bed inside. any suggestions and help as to how to get him to accept this as his "house" would be GREATLY appreciated!  I do not feel good about leaving him have free reign of the house at this stage, but i know he feels comfort by being with wherever Vannah is. Vannah is so used to our schedule, that she's usually low-key during the day and naps while we are work. (I have been coming home to let them out during my lunch--so they only go 3-4 hrs by themselves)

Any and all suggestions would be REALLY appreciated as to how to make this transition smoother! THANKS!!

Becky, Savannah, and Raleigh

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Personally. I would abandon trying to get him into a crate because he probably has lots of anxiety issues about confinement. I do know that others have used games and treats to get dogs used to crates and these techniques do work for most dogs. We had no trouble using a crate with our doodle but our Springer simply could not get used to a crate. Our Springer could even push a hutch out of a doorway we tried to block off!!! He was so afraid of being confined without his humans. My daughter got a rescue lab who had been crated for most of his life because he was black and they had white carpet and they had a yard they didn't want him to dig in!!!!! Anyway, he absolutely freaked out when she tried to crate him. I am sorry this isn't helpful advice but at least you know you aren't alone.

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

Thanks Nancy for your reply! Last night went so great! I think he just really wants to be with savannah. We actually did get him to go into his crate with a little bit of help, but once he was there and snacking on his cheese-laced bone he was great. He did not cry, whine, or bark...we got a full night's worth of sleep and he was fantastic! we took him out this AM with Van and they both did their business and then came right back upstairs..we allowed him to be out on his own with van and he slept so great. I think he biggest anxiety is not knowing where his big sister is. As long as Savannah is around and can show him how things go at our house, he's much better. Thanks for your suggestions as well..we will definitely take them into consideration. Keeping our fingers crossed that he continues to do well... I am so proud of my baby girl Savannah for being such a good role model. He is definitely picking up on some of the things she does.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Sounds like things went better last night. I agree with Nancy. Some dogs will not tolerate a crate, especially many rescues that have unknown or sad pasts. But if he warms up to it, let him!
I would let him be as close to Vannah as possible. It sounds like she offers comfort to him - he does not want to be separate from the "pack". I am sure it will get better - some old-fashioned TLC goes a loooong way with dogs.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I have never been in favor of crating dogs, and I think it will be difficult with a large "puppy". At eight months, it will be difficult to retrain him to enjoy being in a crate (especially for hours). Do you have another room in the house where Vannah feels comfortable for an extended period of time? You might try putting their beds in there and let them practice for short periods of time. If Vannah can accept it, Raleigh will probably be fine. I am thinking about our large laundry/dog bath room where our dogs spent the night when Hondo had liver failure. He was incontinent and could not be in the house. They both slept in the laundry room and were delighted to see us when we went to visit them first thing in the morning. They ate and played outside and Hondo spent very little time inside the house (except for when he was wearing a sanitary napkin). Luckily it was summer and very comfortable temperatures outside. I would definitely not give Raleigh free reign in the house or separate him from Vannah right now. They will work it out, and so will you. Try some options.