Sudden Aversion to Dog Crate

Dilemma: Sudden Aversion to Dog Crate

Our 13-month-old Chesapeake has been successfully crate trained since he was 12 weeks old. From 8-12 weeks he had a very difficult transition to the crate. He barked, threw himself around and tried to dig his way out for hours every night. With a lot of patience and advice from our vet, he finally made peace with his crate.

Several days ago, he began avoiding the crate at all costs. He fights going into the crate, and now makes every effort not to go near it at all. He spends his days outside in a safe kennel, comes inside in the evenings for family time and then into his crate for bed after a final outside break. We are not recognizing any changes in routine. Today, he became aggressive and nipping me when I attempted to put him in his crate.

Any suggestions?

~~ Candy

Expert Reply

Hi Candy,

Since your dog had been using the crate successfully for the last nine months, perhaps something happened to trigger this sudden aversion to using it? Is there a chance that someone crated him as a punishment? If so, this could be what has undone all of your hard work.

To retrain your dog to use the crate, you have to start from square one and make it a pleasant place. I'd recommend putting a bowl of cooked ground beef in the very back of the crate, and then allow your dog to go in and eat it without closing the door. He'll feel less apprehensive if he knows he can come at go as he pleases. Once he is willing to do this, you can offer the food and then quietly close the door behind him.

It's going to take some time and patience to overcome your dog's current fears, but if you are patient, I think you'll have success.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this suggestion helpful.

~~ Kelly