2 year old Min Pin

Question
QUESTION: Hello Kristen,
I have a question about a 2 year old Min Pin that I just got. I picked her up on Sunday Sept 2 from the breeder where I got my 7month old Min Pin from. The 2 year old WILL NOT come out of her cage. She has been in there for 6 days. When I try and get her out she shows me her teeth. The breeder said she was a loving dog, but she is not warming up to me and my home. She sits in her cage and shakes when i am near. I don't know what to do? I ignore her, but unfortunately I don't like seeing a dog go through this. Any advice?

ANSWER: I am assuming you are leaving the door of the crate open so that she can come out if she wants to, Brie? I would be concerned that she will not come out after 6 days, though. Is she going to the bathroom in there? Does she eat and drink?

What kind of crate is it - plastic or wire? If it's plastic, perhaps you can try taking the top off, so that she can see more of what's going on around her and so she cannot just continue to 'hide' within the confines of the crate. If it's a wire crate, things may be a bit more difficult. You're going to have to get her out of there eventually. How have you been trying to get her out? Do you reach in for her, do you try to lure her out with a treat or toy, what? Will she come out to play with your other dog, or is she just as antisocial with him? (her?)

I would advise inviting the breeder over for dinner or just to visit, and seeing if she has any luck getting the dog out. Perhaps she can help since the dog knows her. You may have to forget the crate, and just leave her out. If she is destructive or not housebroken (at 2, she should be housebroken, unless she was raised in a kennel or cage), then you may have to confine her using an exercise pen instead of a crate. That way, you can simply lift the pen up and take it away, rather than having to try and reach in or otherwise draw her out of a crate.

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QUESTION: Kristen,
Yes when I am at home I leave the door open on the crate at all times. She is going to the bathroom in the crate (which I dont like) but she wont come out. She eats and drinks. I have tried putting the food in the room that she is in, but not in her cage with her, but she wont come out then either. So I end up putting it in her cage with her so she can actually eat. So yes she is eating and drinking okay.

She is in a wire crate. I have tried several times to put my hand in to let her smell it and know that I am okay. She just keeps going further and further back in the cage and starts to shake. I am not being forceful just letting her know that I am a good person. I have also tried putting a treat near the cage, but outside and she wont go for it.

I emailed the breeder and she said that I should ignore her, she will come out when she wants, but my thing is I feel sorry for the dog. I dont like having a dog that spends 24/7 in a cage. I dont think its fair to her, but she wont make an effort to come out. I am so confused and dont think this is normal, but wanted to get you opinion on it!!

Answer
Normally, I would agree with the breeder, but if it's been 6 days and the dog is still shaking and cowering when you come near, and will not come out of the crate even to eat, something else needs to be done.

It's not a matter of being fair to her, and I don't think you should feel sorry for her because she's spending so much time in the crate because you ARE leaving the door open and giving her the opportunity to come out.

If it were me, I would get rid of the crate and use the exercise pen to confine her if you need to, because that way, as I said in my previous reply, you can just take the pen and fold it up when you are home and able to watch her to be sure she does not have an accident on the floor or tear something up. I think, in this situation, the dog needs to be made to face her fears, so to speak. I think this is the only way she's going to realize that you and your other family members are not going to hurt her.

I still think the breeder should at least come over for a visit, if, for nothing else than to see how upset the dog is.