My dog is terrified about his crate.

[pigl3t]

I have a 6 months old german shepherd .. that we keep outside in our yard all the time. Once a day we go out in the park for a 30 min walk or so. Most of the time hes alone in the yard until we come home from work. Small problems like digging and beggin in front of the door where our grandma is staying (she`s home all day but has other stuff to do than stay with the dog . But that`s ok .. he get`s bored .. he`s a puppy.
Now since he grew up in size ... he`s like almost full size ... (has around 30 kg) during the day we set up a place for him to stay because we leave and come by car and sometimes old people come to visit our grandma. So this way he doesn`t run out when we leave or jump on people that visit. The crate is in the back of our yard ... has around 4 square meters, 2 meters high fence that is made of bars. he can see everything from there.
At first we started putting him in the crate with food ... gave him food and lock him up in there. After about 2 or 3 weeks he started not to go in anymore. He took a sit position in front of the door and that`s it .. no further. After this i started to carry him in there .. but now he senses when i want to put him in there and runs away from me. Carrying him with the leash doesn`t work either. SO now he doesn`t want to go in there in anyway. Not with treats ...not with toys .. nothing. We have to put him in there in the morning when hes hungry and goes for the food bowl and keep him in there because we can`t put him again. His life would much more easier if he would learn to go in there when he is asked to. He would spend only few minutes in there while we leave or when we have visitors. Any ideas ??? Please help. Thanks..

[melody]

A crate, when used correctly can be a wonderful tool for training your dog. Try to make the crate as comfortable for your dog as possible. Maybe a blanket or a bed will help.

I think a toy will help too if you rotate the toys or give it to him one at a time. Dogs become bored easily and rotating the toys will help in making the crate exciting for him. I suggest that you give him toys that he can chew. My dogs favorite is the sterilized beef bone with peanut butter. He spends hours in cleaning the bone!

Also, create a "crating period" for your dog. Try to make him feel that the crate is just temporary. For the first week (or maybe a few days) put him in the crate for 2-3 hours and at night. When he's not inside the crate play with your dog, allow him to explore, basically just give him your attention and make him feel that you love him. When he's all tired, throw a treat into the crate and say "Kennel." Of course, he won't get it at first but in time he will learn to associate that the word "kennel" means treat. I also suggest that you put a treat that he really likes and give that treat to him only when you are going to put him in the crate.

At first your dog will bark and whine. If you let him out, then he'll feel that you are rewarding him for bad behavior. He will whine and bark again next time because he knows that's what got him out the last time. Say "No" to your dog, rap the top of the crate or just ignore him. Eventually he'll get tired and will sleep or play with his toys.

Good luck with your crate training!

[diane4]

Hi
Yes I totally agree with what you say about ignoring your dog when he/she whines in the crate. If you give them attention they do see it as a reward and will continue to whine. You have to be strong for them. You are after all the pack leader.
Perservere and he will get used to his crate.

[BlueHornet]

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See ya,

[melody]

Hi @BlueHornet! Welcome to the forum and we certainly are not bots.

[uberglamorous]

I'm not a robot as well, haha

Also, I'd just like to add that gradual coaxing is the best approach to get dogs used to a lot of things. He just needs to get accustomed enough to being around his crate.

The positive association you're using is commendable - however, you just need to be more gradual about it. I suggest for you to first try putting his food bowl outside the crate and then move it closer and closer every few days.

In time, he should have no problem eating inside his crate. At this point however, don't close the door while he's eating just yet. Wait a few more days of him eating inside before closing the door.

Even then, don't keep it shut for long periods of time in order to ease him into his crate. As time goes by, you can keep the crate door closed longer and longer while eating until he gets used to it.

You're already on the right track with his crate training - all you need is to take it slow, but your patience will pay off in due time.