Getting Toby into his crate

[Sandy]

So...Toby knows what the crate is, and resists going in. Not his bedtime crate, in our room, but his daytime crate, in the kitchen. I put toys in, offer him a treat, and he just goes into the play stance and starts running around. I tried putting his breakfast in there this morning, but he wouldn't go in to eat. So, while I'd like to use the crate more for 1/2 hour breaks in my day, it's a bit of a struggle getting him in!

[Trowby]

Hi. Now that our Sage is a little older (5 mos) and she has never had an accident in her crate- I've put a fleecy crate pad in her crate to make it cozy. We just say "go in your house" and most of the time she goes. Sometimes it's not the right time and she gets the zoomies and we have to release her. But most of the time it's ok. You didn't say how old Toby is but our experience is that it gets better with time.

Best

Trowby

[Sandy]

Toby is 13 1/2 weeks old, and has never just walked into his main floor crate. Once he's in there he's fine, but he doesn't just walk in.

[Sandy]

It is a solid crate - his bedtime one is wire, and we throw a light flannel sheet over it at night. He is in a state of defiance right now - challenges me as much as possible, it seems. The crate is just something else to challenge me over. But when I want/need him in, he goes in. And I won't chase him around to do it either. I tell him to sit, then pick him up, or get him close enough to pick up by luring him with a treat or a toy.

[Jill and Cody]

Hi Sandy. My doodle puppy (6 1/2 months now) never voluntarily goes into his crate. He doesn't bark anymore when I put him in and leave for work, but he runs away when I throw a treat in there because he knows that means he will have to go in. Maybe some puppies just don't like it?

[Sandy]

Yes - Toby is fine when he's in, but doesn't just walk in on his own. But the crate is a lifesaver, for sure!

[IDOGMa]

Few things come to mind. First look at where the crate is located. It may be in a place that isnt making him feel very good about walking into it. I would even suggest that you move the crate to a different part of the kitchen or in another room and "start fresh". New location gives you an opportunity to do a bit of reconditioning him to like the crate.

Do the retraining before you feed him. That way he is a bit more motivated about the treats (high value for now) that you are offering. Have him come over and just sit next to the open crate and give him some treats just for sitting next to it. Then take a break and then go back and do the hang out by the open door one or two times and then toss one into the MIDDLE of crate, let him work it out in his head (dont do talking or try to coax) he has to see that he has to go in and get it. When he goes in, say "good boy" and then call him out and give him a treat from coming out. Do that a few times (two or three) and then take a break again.

Back to training again. Give one by the door, give one in the middle of the crate and call back out and treat and then throw on in the very back of the crate and call him out. Take a break for the day. If you must crate him in that crate anytime during the day, move the crate back into the original spot so that he doesnt associate the new spot with his issues.

Next day or the next time prior to eating, do some more of the exercises by moving the crate back to the new location. You can add a few times where you shut the door, let him sit there just for a minute and then open up and tell him he is a good boy. Make that duration a bit longer after you see that he is loving the game. If at any point you see that he is backing away or showing you he is tired, then stop and wait for a while.

What this is teaching him is that not every time he gets into the crate means that everyone goes away. Sometimes when he goes in the crate he gets awesome stuff sometimes he goes in and comes right back out.

Keys Points
Progress slowly (snails pace), make each interaction really great.
Allow him to process your "requests" without verbally pushing.
Never push him into the crate. You can lure or entice.
Do reconditioning when he is motivated by food (thus before he eats)
Mix it up, sometimes he is in the crate for a few minutes, other times he is in for a bit longer.

If you are still having issues, take a close look at everything from his perspective. (Down on the floor) Does the sun shine down and make it hot? Are there freaky shadows occuring? What can he see or not see? Also look into borrowing someones wire crate to see if the type of crate matters. I know that it does at our house.

Hope that helps.

[Sandy]

Wow - that's a lot of information. Thank you. Here's the funny thing - when he knows I don't NEED him in his crate, in he goes. Now, for instance, he's in there just because he decided to go in. No treats, no even asking him to go in, nothing. So I guess he likes it fine, he just wants to go in when he wants to go in.

[Adina P]

IDOGMa's advice is excellent...and doing this when he doesn't NEED to go in will ease your frustration and reduce the power struggle of 'having to' make him go in. A lot of training works best when you practice it OUTSIDE of the times it HAS to occur.

[IDOGMa]

Interesting but makes sense. Think about this... When we NEED things we tend to elevate our breathing, our pulse and it also activates hormones. Dogs can immediately pick up on this by observation and scent. In addition, our own movements will also give the dog signals. So... simple to fix as well. Become more aware of your actions and behaviors and it will give you a lot of information as to what he is picking up. Then, take a deep breath, sing a song, do some some visualization (yeah, puppy is going to go in the crate, yeah), walk casually, and then crate. We do this type of stuff when we are handling all kinds of situations with dogs-including aggression - visualize what you want, get yourself relaxed, and treat it as no big deal.

You will be amazed how much a dog will mirror your own behaviors.

Here is also another tip: If you think something is going to take 5 minutes plan on 15. Double and Triple time you expect and it will end up being less. If you dont alott much time it will take twice or three times as long.