I have a 10-month-old German Shepherd Dog who has been crate trained and whilst he is no longer put in the crate, he often goes in there of his own accord if I am doing something he doesn’t like, such has vacuuming, or if I am out shopping. So, he clearly sees it as a good place to be but I would really like to get rid of it at some point as it takes up a lot of room. Can anyone please suggest an ideal time and/or methodology to do this? Thank you.
Lizanne, Guildford, Surrey
Oh joy - I hate crates and am pleased to see that you don't want it as part of your home. Just make sure he has a 'den like space' eg comfy dog bed under a table? - as he is obviously a dog who likes his own spot.
ReplyDeleteHi Lizanne. I find that when carefully introduced, crates or dens can be very useful at times, particularly through puppyhood. Sometimes, however, dog outgrow them, or the crates are simply a bit big (and not pretty!) once the chewing and housetraining stages have been left long behind. As you say, your dog appears to be using it as a safe spot to retreat to when he feels a little uncomfortable or would like security. This is effectively what I feel a crate should come to represent - a comfy little haven of peace and quiet. If you plan to get rid of it, a suitable alternative safe haven for your dog would need to be introduced gradually. Your dog is clearly wanting to get away from some things so I think all dogs should be given this opportunity. The aim is to prevent them becoming overly stressed. To begin with you might want to move the crate to a different location but leave his cosy bed in the 'crate' place. Making the crate gradually less comfy and therefore less desirable would be a reasonable progression. The other essential part of this is to work on de-sensitising your GSD to the things you know cause him to retreat. If he does not like the vacuum cleaner, for example, you could begin to associate it with enjoyable activities or tasty treats. It would be a good idea to do this thoroughly and carefully, along with professional help so that he can feel relaxed in scenarios that he once found unsettling.
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