Is your dog suddenly refusing to spend time in his crate? There are several reasons why: He’s spending too much time in it, it’s uncomfortable, he associates it with punishment. Let’s explore these reasons for crate avoidance and see how to help your furry friend!
#4: Reward appropriately
So your dog hates crate training. Who can blame them, right?
In that case, help your dog love their crate. Yep, it’s possible.
Just look at this pooch being in their crate, with the door open:
During crate-training, don’t forget rewarding your dog. Use high-value treats. Hotdogs, cheese, or slices of ham. I’d even suggest the smelly treats.
Once your dog gets a whiff of those, they’ll be more in attention.
Also, rewarding your dog helps them associate crating with something good.
And that’s what you want to achieve.
Warning: Don’t be over the top with rewards. Watch out how much your dog eats to avoid gaining weight.
#6: Make your dog comfortable
“My dog won’t sleep in his kennel!”, you say.
And I can think of a reason why:
The bed could be dirty or soaked with pee. It could be worn out with some thin spots. Or some debris is poking at your dog whenever they’re laying down.
One way to keep their bed comfortable is to clean your dog first.
Give them a bath. Or wipe them down if that’s enough in your case. Just make sure to get dirt and debris off their fur as much as possible.
Also, regularly check their bed. One of your other dogs, or your cat, could have peed on it. Or your dog themselves peed on the bed while sleeping.
Regularly wash their bedding, including their pillow and blanket. Doing so also helps reduce skin problems.
Meanwhile, inspect the crate for damages. Especially if your dog has separation anxiety and chews on the crate when trying to escape.
There may be sharp edges that cause wounds or discomfort to your dog.
With your dog loving being inside the crate, it will benefit everyone. How? It:
Dog won’t go in crate even with treats?
Some dogs just aren’t motivated by treats. If your dog isn’t anxious and will at least put his head in the crate try feeding him his meals in the crate. Start by having his food bowl near the front and then move it deeper in each day!
FAQ
Why is my dog all of a sudden barking in his crate at night?
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Why is my puppy regressing in crate training?