running/hiding from me

diggler86

5 months old... has started to run and/or hide from me. when i walk into the room he will run and hide under the coffee table.

the only reason i can think why is because he doesnt want to go into his crate/pen and thinking i am going to grab him to put in there. he spends most of the day in pen when i am at work.

what should i do? im assuming this is bad behavior since you want them to come and not run in a bad situation.

when he is under the table, its even tough to lure him out with food. hes very skeptic.

Dakota Spirit

You need to make crate time something enjoyable and not something that he feels he needs to run from. Select several ultra desirable treats/toys and reserve them only for crate time. This alone will link a very good thing with a less desirable thing (time alone). Also take the time to get a really through play session in before you crate the dog. This will disperse some of energy and again may help to link the good with the bad. When you put him in or take him out of the crate act very happy, very excited - do NOT act sullen, sad, or mad as these emotions can often rub off on the animal. Also remember to never never use the crate as a punishment.

Another tip may be to get some mind stimulating toys, such as Kongs. Often times a dog will become bored when crated or locked in one room but toys that are more interactive can help combat such feelings.

Criosphynx

does he run and hide under any other context?

My Chi does this.... and yes, food lures don't seem to work. It can be very frustrating.

What i usually do....

Sit on the floor and ignore her,( make sure you turn your back to the dog)
I play with the other dogs, give them treats, etc.

If you don't have other dogs, use an object, or a toy that looks interesting... play with it.

Sometimes i'll go and get food and then sit on the floor and ignore her, back turned.

Its generally no more than a minute or two tops before she comes out of hiding....the main goal is to make the dog think you've given up and he come out of hiding on his own terms. You want him to want to do it.

If he comes to you praise and treat.

Dakotas advice is spot on too!

Erick Aguilar

Have you ever punished your dog physically when he didn't want to go to his crate?
Or have you picked him up, then placed on ground and punished him?

Dogs don't run,hide without reason, there is something that disturbs them, if he wouldn't like to be put on the crate, he wouldn't even get close to it.

DogsforMe

Tilba's been doing this for a few weeks. She's never been punished physically, but she knows she's going to be locked in her 'room' & doesn't want to go in. She's 7.5 m/o. I usually throw some food in her room & she goes in to eat them. Only once she refused.
You have to make sure you don't call him to you for anything that the dog sees as punishment. Like a bath, giving tablets, being put outside when you go to work etc. 'Come' should always mean something pleasant is going to happen. A good time to practice is at meal times. As he's only 5 m/o that should be 3 times per day. Twice when he's 6 mths old.

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diggler86

yeah ive never hit him for anything. when i leave the apt i pick him up and put him in his pen. i know it would be best for him to go in but in the morning i just dont have the time to coerce him. i think this is why when im walking around hes thinking im looking for him to put him in the pen, especially when i walk out of my bedroom. when im on the couch, he never runs or hides, quite the opposite. maybe i should pick him up off the couch then he would leave me alone when im sitting haha!

today ive been luring him in pen with some string cheese and surprisingly that has been working to get him to go in there. ill try and continue that. thanks all...

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