Training An Old Dog To Use Crate

[sllebasi]

on the weekend i bought a soft kennel. I want to use it as a safe spot for her when she is scared of thunder, also to use it as closed in area in case we get a cyclone and she needs to be locked away, and also we are going into a friend of mines car (dog doesnt know her or car) to take her to boarding kennels while i am on holidays.

i took it out of box and left it open in the loungeroom for her to smell and get used to it, then i started encouraging her to go into it with treats and praising her while in there and when she got out - we practiced for about 10 mins. we did it again yesterday, and today we progressed to zipping up one side (it has two entrances).

am noticing that she is perfect for the training, but then afterwards she will follow me around like a shadow, and she looks a tad miserable - i am thinking that it looks like a suitcase and smells like a suitcase, and that i must be going on holidays. do i keep going as slowly as i am progressing to putting it in the car in months time, or should i pack it away when not using it for training????

[Zug Zug]

I would keep it around and provide your dog with lots of very nice experiences in it.

For example, get your dog's favourite chewable treat and leave it in the back of the crate, and let the dog go in and find it there. No pressure - just something that smells too nice to leave. don't worry about shutting the door for more than a few seconds initially. but close it occasionally just to get your dog used to a door that closes, and then opens again later. Build the time up gradually, but stay nearby so your dog feels the reassurance of you being handy.

I'm not sure about the use of a soft crate in a thunderstorm though. My dog would scratch it to bits. A solid (metal) crate may be better suited to stormy nights I suspect. I keep my soft crate in the boot of the car (for outings) and the solid metal crate set up under a desk at home (for nights and for keeping the dogs safely tucked away during parties or when kids visit).

[OSoSwift]

I would leave it out so that is become part of normal scenery. Give her lots of treats in it as you are doing, but also put a treat in when she isn't looking - a nice smelly one she loves. She MAY go in there of her own accord and begin to seek going in there as it can turn up some lovely suprises. Also if you leave it out it is more likely to pick up you everyday home smells and get rid of the new smell.

[Kavik]

I would leave it out for her to get used to. You can also feed her in it, give her bones and special treats in it to reinforce that it is a nice place to be. You can just throw treats in there for her to find. You could also try putting some bedding that already smells like her in there.

Personally I would not use a soft crate for training purposes as dogs can destroy them and get out of them and they are not as secure as a wire or plastic crate - something to consider especially in the car for safety or when she has to be secure in there.

[sllebasi]

It was a concern of mine also when i was looking at it - that if she is scared enough she will rip it to pieces. It is a camping style kennel and it does look reasonable tough, so fingers crossed. If the you know what hits the fan I am not going to be that far away from her anyway, but hopefully it will be enough even if its just to carry her from upstairs to downstairs if we need to in a safer manner. Never thought about a crate till I start the canine foster course and it got me thinking - particularly as she is going in a strange car at christmas time.

[spottychick]

My dog Tango will only go in the crate if the best blanket is in there LOL That's a huge double thickness minky. Guaranteed to get them all clamouring to be in the crate.

[sllebasi]

yes, it came with a lambswool blankie and we got to take that to bed last night, so we will see.