[Thomasmi16]

I have trained my dog at crate and whenever i leave the house for many hours she stays inside the crate and no complain, a couple of times that i tried to leave the house without putting hee inside the crate she goes nuts, any ideas? I tried that so she can be more free inside the house but she doesn't like it, any ideas?

 

[I love my dog Ellie]

You do not say how long you have had your dog or how old she is. Many dogs like their crates because it resembles a den they would seek out/build. Dogs like a routine and if she has gotten use to being in her crate, then I would keep her on that routine. Make sure there is room enough for her to stand up and turn around. Be sure to take off your dog’s collar, especially if you have tags on it, to be sure nothing can get caught on the crate. And 5 hours should be the max to be in a crate while being home alone. If you really want to give her more freedom, trying putting her in just one room like a bathroom while you go outside and see how she handles that. If she does well, then try a larger room, etc. In the end, she may just like her crate better.

 

[Jen2010]

That happened with one of my dogs too. As a puppy he was always used to being in his crate at night (with the door closed and latched). When he was an adult we decided to give him more freedom and leave him in the room where the crate is, so he can still go in if he wants, but is not locked in. Well that didn't go over very well, he whined and cried and tried to get out of the room and started destroying things in the room. He just felt more comfortable with the routine of being put in his crate. I think it felt safer to him. So we went back to our old routine for a while. Eventually we tried again, but he freaked out again. Then on a day when he had a lot of activity and was really tired, we put him in the crate, closed the door, but didn't latch it. He did push the crate door open at night, but didn't leave the crate. We did that for months. Then again after a busy day, we put him in the crate, but left the door open. He came out and whined a bit, but eventually went back to sleep. Now he's fine being out of his crate for night, but he usually chooses to still sleep in there anyway. I think they just get used to routine and get upset when something is "off".

With your dog, try leaving the house, but stay in the yard or driveway where she can still see you. Then come back in before she gets upset (this may be only a minute or two). Keep practicing that over several weeks, being outside longer and longer. Go out of sight for a minute and then come back. Go out of sight for longer and longer, always coming back before your dog gets upset. Then practice as if you are actually leaving - get your coat, keys, etc. as if you are leaving. See how she does with that. You can then actually leave the yard, but just go around the block and come back. You get the picture. Go slow and let her adjust. She needs to know that it's okay and that you will come back. Also never make a big deal about leaving or coming back. Just quietly leave and when you come back in, just act as if nothing happened at all.