My Sassy has issues with her crate. ( I think she may have been left for long periods of time &/or neglected before we got her at 11 months old the beginning of August. We are her 3rd home- 1st from breeder till about 10 mo, 2nd for about a mo then us for 6 wks) She will go in just fine, no growling or cowering, but goes a little nuts when we close the door/leave. She will growl and bark a shake the door. I have tried sitting down in front of the crate and talking softing to her and giving treats which helps with getting the door closed. As soon as I start getting up she starts in. She has gotten better about calming down after a few mins usually but I kind of thought that after being with us for 6 wks she would know we are coming back. I hate putting her in there when we leave but I can't trust her yet (potty & destruction, lol). I don't work a 8hr day so she's not in there for extreme amounts of time. So does anyone have any advice, shelties are wonderful but so new to me.
Crate freak out
- Thread starter mrsjjet
- Start date
dawns2shelties
Forums Sage
Have you tried covering the crate? or Maybe an Xpen would be a good option,giving her move room but still confined to an area. You could connect to her crate and leave the crate door open to the Xpen.
take4roll10
Moderator
I've had my sheltie since she was 10 weeks old. She has never been abused, but she does the same thing when she is locked in a crate or locked out of a room from me. I believe it is separation anxiety. They know you're leaving and are upset that they can't be with you.
What helps Bailey is feeding her before I leave. I'll put down her breakfast bowl and then quickly leave. Bailey is trained to not touch her food until I release her, so I lock her in the crate with the bowl, tell her to "wait" and then say "take it". She eats and I run out of the house.
If it's not meal time, then I throw some treats in her crate or leave a frozen kong.
Bailey is not confined to a crate anymore, but I still leave her food before I exit the house.
What helps Bailey is feeding her before I leave. I'll put down her breakfast bowl and then quickly leave. Bailey is trained to not touch her food until I release her, so I lock her in the crate with the bowl, tell her to "wait" and then say "take it". She eats and I run out of the house.
If it's not meal time, then I throw some treats in her crate or leave a frozen kong. Bailey is not confined to a crate anymore, but I still leave her food before I exit the house.
OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
Feeding in the crate is a good idea. You might also like to give her a stuffed Kong in her crate to keep her busy as you're leaving.
hanks yall! I tried covering the crate but it didn't help. I have actually been thinking about getting an xpen. Heres the deal with that...she can jump really high. She is short & gets on our bed that is nearly 3' with no problem. So how big would I need to get? Also the Kong is a good idea. Just get one, stuff it & freeze it before giving to her? Do you use that spray stuff that comes with the Kong products?
I am going to my moms tonight (will be gone less than 24 hrs) & am leaving sassy with my hubby. I really hope she does good. For some reason she picked me when we got her (it was a family decision) & like some have stated...she follows me everywhere. Maybe they can sense who is empathetic & chooses them.
I am going to my moms tonight (will be gone less than 24 hrs) & am leaving sassy with my hubby. I really hope she does good. For some reason she picked me when we got her (it was a family decision) & like some have stated...she follows me everywhere. Maybe they can sense who is empathetic & chooses them.
Last edited by a moderator:
take4roll10
Moderator
I don't use the Kong spray stuff. I use canned food or pumpkin.
SheltieChe
Forums Sage
Does not have to be any abuse in the past.
Make crate fun! If you have Crate Games DVD those are really helpful.
How often does she gets crated? Does she gets crated when you in the room? Feed her in the crate, play with toys in the crate, belly rubs, fun games like something " lets run to the crate to get a cookie" "Changed my mind game"- you give her send command t go to crate and immediately release after she gets in for good play or tug... crate when you watch TV, sometimes for 30 minutes sometimes for 30 seconds...
Make crate fun! If you have Crate Games DVD those are really helpful.
How often does she gets crated? Does she gets crated when you in the room? Feed her in the crate, play with toys in the crate, belly rubs, fun games like something " lets run to the crate to get a cookie" "Changed my mind game"- you give her send command t go to crate and immediately release after she gets in for good play or tug... crate when you watch TV, sometimes for 30 minutes sometimes for 30 seconds...
Oh cool! Those are really good ideas! No the only time she gets crated is when we leave & at night. I get her out as soon as I can & usually keep her out. Again, sheltie s are new to me. Our lab could care less about being in the crate & the shi-tzu has free run of the house but will still doesn't mind being crated if necessary so I never had any of these probs before. She is such a sweetheart & eager to please so I am sure that making it a game will help. 
Thanks for your help. It means so much to no feel alone in this.
Thanks for your help. It means so much to no feel alone in this.