Terrified of Crate- help?
This doesn't involve Waffle, thank goodness.
It's my roommate's dog that is driving me bonkers.
She's a 2+ year old rescue blue heeler mix. My roommate got her in January... she has her own unique set of problems. Chief among these now (it used to be she was aggressive with Waffle, but we fixed that) is that when she goes in her crate, she's an unstoppable sonic force. That is to say, she shrieks and whines and yips. She drools all over herself. She shakes like a chihuahua in Alaska. She digs at the bottom of her crate trying to get out, and throws herself against the side. She's terrified, basically, and wants out ASAP. I could deal with this for only 30 minutes before I let her out. I didn't see how letting her sit in there would help.
Apparently, she kept her in the bathroom before she got a crate and basically ate everything in there. I don't know how she would react if she were left alone out and about in the apartment and not confined in a small room or crate.
Do you guys know of anything that would help?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Betts on
-
If she ate everything while confined in the bathroom, I'm guessing that she would do the same if left alone in the apartment. If she's a rescue, maybe she has separation anxiety, and that's why she destroys things if left alone.
I would start by always feeding her and giving her treats in her crate with the door open. Let her come and go as she pleases, but hide good things in there for her to find on a regular basis....a new toy, a special treat. I wouldn't be in a hurry, but perhaps over a month or so she will come to see her crate as a good thing. Then, I'd start leaving her in it with the door shut for very short periods of time, so that she is sure that if she is in her crate, she will always be let out. Gradually lengthen the amount of time she's in it. I think, over time, you can teach her to stay in her crate, but it will probably take some patience.
-
Permalink Reply by Rachael & Waffle on
-
I'm going to suggest she try to leave her in her room just because the dog is so scared of being in that tiny place even though she ate the bathroom.
Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to try to convince my roommate to do it all. She sort of has been doing it, but not really. Since day 1, she's been doing this.
-
Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
-
Hi Rachael, the blue heeler mix needs to be introduced to the crate, meaning always associate it with positive outcome, feeding her in it, treat her in it, slowly increase the time, always leave the door open, train the dog to love and learn it is the place for food and refuge. All the destruction behaviour can be solved and it is just a way to get your attention, if she is not getting 45 minutes worth of on leash outdoor walk per day, she is not being fulfilled. Hope that helps, good luck!
-
-
She wasn't before, but I convinced my roommate she needs AT LEAST an hour walk a day. The dog is still insane though. She was on a 1.5 hour walk before she was crated. -_- I hope my roommate is willing to do this; she isn't the one who has to put up with her dog's annoying crap. Thanks, Sam.
Rescue Store
Stay Connected
FDA Recall
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Recall
Groups
We support...
Badge
© 2024 Created by Sam Tsang.
Powered by
