Fox Terrier Chesney loves his crate so much he will challenge you to a doggie duel over it. If his owners walk past him while he is in the crate, he will lift his head slightly and emit a low, ominous growl.
McBride, a hound mix, hates the crate with such abject misery that he tucks his tail under and skulks away when his owners indicate it is time to “kennel up.” Getting him
into it takes two people, one to tug from the front, and one to nudge from the rear.
Pit mix Aldean trots willingly into his crate. He’ll sleep for 2 hours, and then his internal clock tells him to wake up and commence destruction. Aldean has dismembered three different crates. Bending wire, masticating plastic, digging through rubber, no crate is a match for his determination to escape its confines.
Perry, a golden Retriever, also enters his crate voluntarily. Once the door closes however, his salivary glands go into panic mode. By the time his owners arrive home, Perry is slipping in the puddles of drool he has created, and his coat and feet are soaked through.
Crates are invaluable tools for housebreaking puppies (and even adult dogs that didn’t get the memo the first time around). They keep dogs safe during trips, prevent chewers from trashing the house, and can be the dog’s cherished den, its go-to hangout and retreat from life’s sometimes overwhelming demands.
Don’t give up on the crate, even if your dog has issues with it.
If your dog guards his crate, refuses to go into his crate, demolishes his crate, or is anxious when in the crate, there is a blog post for you!
See
Like a Dog With a Bone if your dog is like Chesney.
For McBride owners, visit Once Upon a Mattress.
Aldean and Perry both have separation anxiety. See Don’t Leave Me Part I, Don’t Forget Your Lunch, Independence Day, and Don’t Leave Me Part II.
For more information about crates and how to use them effectively, read Using Crates and Barriers to Help Your Dog Feel Secure.
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