re-crate training

Question
We have a 3-year-old beagle (we've had him a year)who was a rescue. He's mostly an indoor dog (but gets plenty of walks).

Our issue is crate training. I don't know if he was ever crate trained before, but he is very stressed. Do you have any suggestions on making him more relaxed about/in his crate?

This of course leads to issues when we come home, he's difficult to calm down. Once he calms down and I let him go to his regular bed, he's fine.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi, Scott, and thanks for asking! I'm assuming you are leaving him crated during the day while you're at work. Is that right? What about at night?


You say he's very stressed. Do you know for a fact that it's the crate that causes his stress, or the fact that you are leaving that could be the problem? What does he do if you leave without putting him in his crate? Do everything the same as normal, except leave out the part where you put him up. Go outside and then sneak around to a window and watch him where he doesn't know you are there. Does he still appear stressed? If so, then he probably has a touch of separation anxiety. Go to http://www.yahoo.com or http://www.google.com and do a search for dog separation anxiety. Read up on it and see what you think.


If you don't think your dog suffers from separation anxiety, then you may want to start from square one with the crate training. He needs to understand that his crate is his safe place, his den, if you will. You may want to try putting his regular bed in the crate, and just leaving the door to the crate open so he can go in and come out on his own. When you see that he is showing interest in the crate (ie: sniffing at it, putting one paw inside, going all the way in, etc.) calmly praise him and give him a treat. Don't go overboard and get him too excited; just let him know that being interested in the crate is a good thing. This will help him to become more comfortable with it. If you wish, you can start feeding him in his crate for a little while. Start out by putting the bowl just inside the crate door. Give him 15-20 minutes to eat and then remove the bowl and put it away. If he isn't finished, that's ok. He'll quickly learn to finish or wait until the next mealtime to eat. Missing part of or even a whole meal or two won't hurt him a bit. Each day, move the bowl further and further into the crate, until he is having to go all the way in to eat. Do not close the door to the crate until he's comfortable going all the way in to eat, and is finishing all his meal. Then, close the door just a few inches at first. When he's finished eating, open it and let him out with lots of praise. The next day, close it a little more, then a little more the next day, until you are able to shut the door completely while he eats his meal. Remember to praise him while he's comfortable inside the crate.

Before you leave in the mornings, if that's when you normally crate him, mix it up a bit. Do not crate him right before you walk out the door. But rather, crate him 15 minutes or so before you leave. Make sure he has something to keep him busy inside the crate with him. A nylabone or stuffed kong toy are both good choices. You may also want to give him a fairly large meaty bone to chew on. Stay away from rawhide, because he could swallow pieces that can swell in the stomach or intestines and cause a serious (even deadly) blockage. If you choose a nylabone or meaty bone, make sure it is the absolute largest size that he can handle, so it lasts longer and there is less of a risk of him swallowing pieces that are too large. Just before you leave, toss him a really special yummy treat - one that he ONLY gets right before you leave and no other time. Bil-Jac brand liver treats are good, as is plain cooked chicken breast. You may also want to leave a radio or the TV on for him if he still seems stressed.

When you get home, do not go and immediately let him out of the crate. Ignore him. Wait about 5-10 minutes and then calmly walk over and open the crate door. Don't make a big deal of it. This will help to keep his excitement level down right when you get home. Let him out to potty or whatever, and then you can play with him if you want.

Good luck, and if there's anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to ask!

Kristen