[ks75852]

We adopted Rose right around Christmas 2011. She has always been afraid of her kennel, usually beating herself against the door to try to bust it open and crying. She tore apart her first wire crate, so we bought one of the plastic crates that our trainer recommended, since it would be more like a den. When we tell our other dog to "place kennel", Rose runs and hides. We usually have to put a slip lead around her to get her to even get off the floor. When she gets to her crate she just stands there, she won't accept treats or anything. (Rose isn't motivated by food, especially in this situation...this dog absolutely loves her freedom). We already feed her in her crate so she can at least associate it with something pleasant. She used to run in to it for meals, but now she's grown more timid and slow creeps up to it and runs in and out while she eats. Any ideas on how to make her more comfortable. We don't trust leaving the dogs out in the house during the day.

 

[Amaryllis]

Is there a reason you don't trust her? You could leave Rose out and not the others. You could also set up an ex pen or put her in a dog proofed room, maybe the bathroom. You don't have to use a crate is what I'm trying to say.

 

[hamandeggs]

Yeah, if she hates the crate that much I think forcing it right now is going to be counterproductive. I would figure out some other dog safe space for her (but don't leave all the dogs out without supervision).

That said, learning to like the crate is one of those good dog life skills. Have you tried "crate games"? If you google that term there's some good advice on how to teach your dog that crate=good times.

 

[ks75852]

We will try the crate games. Rose has a tendency to chew things. She's chewed the drywall, power cords (which we can pick these up), but the wall we can't do anything about. We'll try to leave her out for a short time to begin with and see how she does.

 

[hamandeggs]

You could try getting baby gates so you could at least confine her to a safer room and prevent her from, say, eating the sofa. Also, you can spray bitter spray on the drywall if nothing else helps. I have had luck with the brand called "bitter yuck."