First Time Out of the Crate for Vern and Fudge!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Fudge and Vern only get crated when we leave to go somewhere. My goal in 2011 is to get rid of these two huge crates in my foyer. Tonight, we went to dinner, closed up all the bedrooms, put all the food out of reach and decided to see how they would do out of the crates while we were gone. I had them go into their crates when we left and put a peanut butter kong in the crate with them, but left the door slightly open. When we got home, I peeked in the window and Vern was still in his crate. I don't think he ever left the crate. Fudge was out and seemed perfectly fine. When Vern saw me, he looked terrified and started barking. Fudge was too busy confiscating both kongs and did not appear worried in the least.

 

This is what a stressed out Vern looks like. I took this picture after we had been home a bit.

The first thing I saw when I got home was his blanket that was in his crate with him. He has NEVER chewed it before.

He must have chewed it the entire time we were gone and we did not find any of the pieces. The rest of the house was undisturbed. The blanket did not survive :(

My plan of action is to continue to try short periods of time out of the crate while we go somewhere,  no more blankets in the crate, and leave a marrow bone or something when we leave. Does anyone else have any suggestions? Or should we just continue crating. I am not even sure Vern knew how to get out of the crate or to push the door open, but probably realized Fudge was out. For all I know, Fudge realized she had the advantage, grabbed his kong and ran and he was stressed about that too. All my DH said was, "Some people get smart dogs and some people don't," so he was no help :) Has anyone else had problems when they stopped crating with a dog being afraid or should I just not worry about it??

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Hi Dot, I don't crate my dogs at night and haven't since they were little. They both seemed to get very hot in the crate at night, so we just stopped. Neither one ever had one accident at night. Sometimes, I wish I still crated Vern at night because he is a terrible sleeper. I think he is a night owl. Fudge could sleep forever...I love that :)

When I leave in the day, I have always crated them and I do not cover the crate. I do leave a fan and the TV on for them. I hope others weigh in on how they crate at night, as I am not much help. Thanks!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

For the short time that Gracie Doodle WAS in a crate, I kept a dark beach towel draped over the top and down the sides.  The back and front of the crate were unblocked.  I did that to make it feel like a cozy den but wanted her to have the ventilation.  Also, to keep some of the light out as well.  She was always a good girl and never barked in her crate.  Gracie is just not a barker and never has been.  Boy, every time I make a comment I realize just how really, really lucky we are to have Gracie Doodle.  She REALLY  "IS" a very good girl.  I am so blessed!

 

My daughter did the same thing with her Rhodesian Ridgeback but since they are always cold, she used a thin quilt throw and covered the entire crate but left about a foot of space at the door of the crate for ventilation.  Gracie is always hot and Luna is always cold!!!!

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

Thank you for a very interesting and timely for us, discussion. I have no suggestions that could help you, but with our

new dog we have brought back Mitzi's huge crate into our living room.  She was very upset when we put it away, even jumped up on it when we collapsed it to put it into the garage, about a year ago.

Now we put Sgt. Pepper in it when we leave the house because we aren't sure of what will happen.  He is as sweet and gentle as any dog could be, but he does take things and hold them, not chew on them, such as  socks, sofa pillows he knocks down off the sofa, and some toys from the grandchildren.  We are concerned that Mitzi might react jealously with him in the crate, she does have moments where she seems jealous and requires extra attention.  We are both concerned about them getting into things, or possibly getting hurt while we are gone.  We also don't care to have the crate in the

house but see no other solution as of this time.

the

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Murph and Guinness have not been crated for months.  Neither of them really liked it, and even with the large crate, Murph always seemed uncomfortable in it.  We give them the foyer and the kitchen, and we gate off the rest of the house.  I take all toys away before I leave to be sure there is no "guarding" going on.  My counters are clear, so there's nothing they can get in the kitchen.  They just sleep and wait for us by the door.  As long as they are together, there doesn't seem to be any separation anxiety.  They are very calm now when they see us getting ready to leave.  If I leave Guinness home alone when I'm walking or training Murph, he does seem anxious...he justs sits at the front window waiting for us to return.  I hated having the crates in the house which is why I "hurried" the process, but if your guys are more comfortable having their crates, I wouldn't change a thing.

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

I actually can't stand having the crates in the house, but my priority is the safety of the dogs, so in a way, we are

stuck between a crate and a pup! 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Jane. Those Irish brothers are best friends.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Lucy had some pretty good anxiety about being left alone when I started taking Sophie on Therapy Visits as they had never been separated.  She is very treat motivated, so I just bought some extra special treats for her treat toys that she only got when we were going to be leaving her alone.  I used to have to chase her down to get her in her room when she figured out Sophie and I were leaving.  Now, when she sees me fixing these toys, she knows we are leaving and she will happily go to her room to get her special treats.  No more barking and howling while we are gone.  She is usually asleep when we come back.  Took a few times, but she got better each time.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This is another great idea, as Vern is VERY treat motivated.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin is crated during both the day and night. We've left him out for the day lots of times and he's done fine, but he does pace quite a bit... and seems to be confused about where he should go. (we have a webcam) He doesn't seem overly nervousness, but we still get the feeling that he is more comfortable when he's in his crate. During the night we have also left him out, but he constantly paces, jumps on and off of things, and doesn't sleep as well (neither do we). I suppose that with a slow transition he would get used to it... we just haven't gotten around to it. I would love to remove his crate because it's huge and our apartment is tiny. But he loves napping in there during the day, so I wouldn't want to take it from him.  ANYWAYS, I kind of know how you feel about wanting to eliminate the crates... but not knowing if you should

 

My advice would be to try it a few more times with the crate door wide open, and if it doesn't work just continue with the crating. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Caitlin, Like I said before, you and Camilla are two smarties :) Thank you!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Vern does that pacing thing at night and it almost drives me insane. I have thought about bringing a crate back into our bedroom, but I would have to rearrange all kinds of stuff and I guess I don't want to do it that badly :) Our bedroom is very small too. Thanks, Camilla.

[Taylor & Huff]

Poor Vern is a peoples dood, He dosen't like it when you guys leave. Poor boy.