Doesn't like crate anymore

[Rebekah Hartman]

I'm having a variety of issues with my 5 month old puppy lately. One of these is the fact that he no longer likes his crate. He used to be awesome about going in and would even go in at times when we'd have guests here prompting comments like, "Wow, my dogs would never do that!"

In some ways, he's learning a lot of new things, but in others he just doesn't seem to be as compliant and he's very mouthy & vocal lately. We've had several rounds of out of town guests, which I'm sure hasn't helped, but now that things are back to normal it isn't improving.

My husband remarked that he just wants to stay out of the house as much as possible because he can't relax when here. I know puppies are a handful, but when do we get to the "having an animal in your life lowers blood pressure and stress levels" stage?

Any thoughts on the crate thing (or the other stuff)? I try to let him go in to get things without making him stay in or with very short "confinements", but he's only getting worse.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Rebekah~

What you mean by your pup no longer likes his crate? Are you saying that b/c you have to drag him in or b/c he no longer goes in on his own just to hang out? What do you to make the crate appealing, a place that he'd really like to be?
Here are a few suggestions, which you may already be doing. If you are, let me know & we'll try to figure out what's going on.
- feed him his meals in his crate
- leave little surprise treats in his crate for him to discover
- when he does go in on his own; randomly give him yummy little treats
- leave him with interactive toy(s) when he has to be in his crate

In what situations is mouthy/vocal? What is your reaction?

Is he on NILIF? If not I'd put him on that.

If you can give more details, I'd be happy to give more detailed advice.



I'm having a variety of issues with my 5 month old puppy lately. One of these is the fact that he no longer likes his crate. He used to be awesome about going in and would even go in at times when we'd have guests here prompting comments like, "Wow, my dogs would never do that!"

In some ways, he's learning a lot of new things, but in others he just doesn't seem to be as compliant and he's very mouthy & vocal lately. We've had several rounds of out of town guests, which I'm sure hasn't helped, but now that things are back to normal it isn't improving.

My husband remarked that he just wants to stay out of the house as much as possible because he can't relax when here. I know puppies are a handful, but when do we get to the "having an animal in your life lowers blood pressure and stress levels" stage?

Any thoughts on the crate thing (or the other stuff)? I try to let him go in to get things without making him stay in or with very short "confinements", but he's only getting worse.

[Jill Ramsey]

Puppy adolescence!! They become rebellious teenagers. :evil: It happens a couple different times until they are about 2 years old. He's testing you to see what he can get away with. :omg: Just stay firm, try not to lose your patience. It too shall pass.

[Rebekah Hartman]

He pretty much goes into his crate kicking & screaming... I don't want to pull him into it or force him because that creates its own problems, but if I need to leave, I need to leave. I tried giving him a bathroom and leaving crate door open and that was even worse.

He gets Kongs (I mean great, stuffed, yummy Kongs) and treats in there and only there and he has actually begun to leave the treats alone until later when we let him out (even if it's hours later) and then he'll run back to the crate and grab the treat and eat it.

We've been trying to get into a training class. Right now, he does a lot at home, but when distraction is present - forget it. For one reason or another, our efforts keep getting thwarted with classes. We found a trainer that only takes 3-4 dogs at a time & gives lots of 1:1. I've met her dogs and am very impressed. She can tell her GSD "bath" and he'll go up and wait in the tub until whenever she gets there. Now that's obedience!

I'll keep plugging away - I just want him to settle down.... We were making progress and now we've regressed - which reminds me of housetraining - he was a rescue and it was very rough in the beginning. I thought it was going to be an endless struggle and then it just kind of got better. Let's hope we get there again soon!

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hey Rebekah~

My advice pretty much remains the same as my first post....
Feed him his meals in his crate, that seems to help a lot.
leave treats in it, etc.
You're right about dragging him in, that will only make matters worse. Set up some crate training sessions like you did when you were first introducing him to the crate.- Reward him for showing any interest in the crate(even if he doesn't go in it) Throw treats in his crate, let him get the treat & come right back out. Practice this as much as possible before you actually have to close him in.

The distraction problem is completely normal it will get better with age & practice. The regression is also normal (like Jill said). If it seems there are certain things he just isn't "getting" look at a couple things-

Does he know exactly what you are asking of him?

Is the reward worth the action- No, dogs do not have to be rewarded forever to do what we want, but in the begining a reinforcer is necessary. If he's only getting treats in his crate how is being rewarded for good behavior outside of the crate?(maybe I misunderstood about the treats?)

I've found taking a break for a few days when my pups are having a problem grasping a new behavior really helps. When I go back to it in a few days they seem to have magically grasped it. If either you or the dog is having a bad time with the training there's no point to keep forcing it.

The "bath" story reminded me of something my GSD did. Last fall I was at my Mom's with my dogs. She was going to watch them when I went to help with dog training classes. I had not had a chance to exercise them so I thought I'd teach them some tricks to wear them out. I walked toward the bathroom & told Lewie "to get in the tub". He ran into the bathroom & hopped in the tub. I had never taught him that before & I didn't lure him in with a treat or anything. I swear those GSDs are just too smart sometimes ;)

Please make sure that whatever trainer you pick uses only Positive Reinforcement :D


And hang in there you'll soon have days when you can't believe what a good little pup he is!


He pretty much goes into his crate kicking & screaming... I don't want to pull him into it or force him because that creates its own problems, but if I need to leave, I need to leave. I tried giving him a bathroom and leaving crate door open and that was even worse.

He gets Kongs (I mean great, stuffed, yummy Kongs) and treats in there and only there and he has actually begun to leave the treats alone until later when we let him out (even if it's hours later) and then he'll run back to the crate and grab the treat and eat it.

We've been trying to get into a training class. Right now, he does a lot at home, but when distraction is present - forget it. For one reason or another, our efforts keep getting thwarted with classes. We found a trainer that only takes 3-4 dogs at a time & gives lots of 1:1. I've met her dogs and am very impressed. She can tell her GSD "bath" and he'll go up and wait in the tub until whenever she gets there. Now that's obedience!

I'll keep plugging away - I just want him to settle down.... We were making progress and now we've regressed - which reminds me of housetraining - he was a rescue and it was very rough in the beginning. I thought it was going to be an endless struggle and then it just kind of got better. Let's hope we get there again soon!