Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Training
  3. New crate issues - seeking advice

New crate issues - seeking advice

Basenji Training
  • P

    Some of you may remember that we had had some issues with getting Charlie (now 10 months old) to accept being in a crate. Well, I'm happy to say that we did get past that by making it a cozy place for him, rewarding him generously for going in, and being consistent about our expectations.

    However… we have a new issue. After a few months of this lovely cooperation, Charlie has decided that he doesn't want to get into his crate anymore - but only when he knows that we are about to leave the house. He'll get in for meals, for sleeping overnight, and during training sessions, but not when he knows that it's time for us to leave the house without him. It's only been a few days like this, and I've managed to pick him up and put him in, but I'm afraid that soon he'll start snarling at me if I try to physically place him into the crate.

    So here's what I've tried. First, I give the command for him to go into the crate. When he doesn't go in, I say it a second time. When he still doesn't go in, I say 'too bad', which means he missed an opportunity to get a treat. I wait a bit, and then give his command again. Still no cooperation - just whining. I put the treat right up to his nose, and say 'too bad' again while withdrawing the treat. I give the command again. Still no response - just lots of whining, and now some play postures and tail chasing.

    Also, after lifting him into the crate, I've still been giving him his treat, even though he didn't go in on command. Not sure if I should do this or not. My reasoning was that he gets something good for being in the crate, but at the same time I don't want to reward him for all that whining and fussing.

    Any insights or advice?

    0
  • B

    Put him in his crate before you start the routine you do when you are getting ready to leave. Use one of your training times, and end it with him hanging out in the crate for a little bit (like a run to the store real quick).

    0
  • Q

    Sounds like you are on the right track. I would continue offering him the treat, and the too bad if he doesn't go in. I might up the value of the treat if he is refusing a lot. Also, do drills where you ask him to go in at times separate from your leaving routine, and then let him right back out. The idea is to keep him guessing as to whether you will actually leave this time or not, and continue to reward him each time he goes in.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • P

    Thank you so much for the input! We've been doing as you suggested, Quercus, and things are much better now, though Charlie will still whine a little before going into the crate. Also, I think I figured out why his behaviour changed in the first place. Well, in the past month, Charlie started going to 'daycare' once or twice a week, and he just loves it. He realized after two or three times that when he didn't go into the crate in the morning, he went to daycare instead, so he started refusing to go into the crate in the morning. Now, I ask him to go into the crate whether it's a daycare day or not. Problem solved… I hope :rolleyes:

    0
  • D

    Charlie is really cute! Glad for you to get the crate issue in check. It is a real training challenge for about everyone I suppose. Lucky pup going to doggy daycare. It must be super fun for Charlie. :)

    Jill

    0

Suggested Topics

  • R

    Minor crate issue

    Basenji Training
    10 10 Mar 2020, 18:50
    10 Mar 2020, 18:50
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    E
    Sounds reasonable to me, too. Yes, there will be times you need to keep her away from trouble when you can't supervise. As she gets older, you can train her to stay away when you are cooking (if that is your wish) rather than being underfoot, and hopefully you can begin to trust that she won't get into trouble while you are distracted. The problem is when people constantly use the crate instead of observation and teaching the dog what is acceptable. Pups cannot learn the rules of the house whilst confined to a crate!
  • B

    New puppy crate screaming

    Basenji Training
    13 2 Mar 2012, 02:23
    2 Mar 2012, 02:23
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    8k Views
    T
    I agree with Pat. Its best to put the crate in the bedroom where you sleep. It helps if the puppy can see you so they feel safe. In the old days, we used to use a windup alarm clock because the rhythmic ticking reminds the puppy of the mothers heart beat. Of course you do not want to put it in the kennel/crate, but you can put it on top or next to it so the puppy hears the sound. You might be surprised, but another thing that can work is music. I do not mean rock and roll (lol), but soothing soft music can help. You want to make sure the bottom of the crate, towel, pad, or whatever is on the bottom remains dry. A wet cushion, towel, or bottom of crate can put a basenji puppy in distress and will eventually cause them to scream. They do not want to be trapped in the crate if they have an accident.
  • D

    Crate size?

    Basenji Training
    12 19 May 2010, 17:46
    19 May 2010, 17:46
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    D
    I think I will buy a wire crate also. LIked that the plastic ones are more "den" like , but like you said I can just put a blanket at night… Thanks
  • T

    New to Basenjis

    Basenji Training
    5 4 Nov 2009, 19:12
    4 Nov 2009, 19:12
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    B
    Welcome to all of you. So exciting with a new pup.. Look through the puppy threads and also the training threads..lots of info to read.. Where in TX are you, I am in Houston, if you are close, it would be fun to meet up..
  • T

    Troy's crate training, need some advice

    Basenji Training
    19 16 Feb 2009, 17:50
    16 Feb 2009, 17:50
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    8k Views
    N
    @tanza: Crate training is something that "if" possible all dogs, not only Basenjis should learn… in your case Shaye's Mom, as you will I am sure read of hear from other Forum members there are some that you can just not crate train.... but the reasons are many, not just house breaking, but a safe place if you are having work done in the house, no worries about someone leaving a door open... work in the yard, no worries about someone leaving a gate open... traveling, all should be confined/restrained when in a moving vehicle, visiting with family/friends... by taking the crate along there is always a place that your dog is familar with and comfortable... Most responsible breeders have usually started crate training before you get your puppy... so usually they are somewhat used to them... however this is one reason I will never ship a puppy as cargo... and people need to personally pick up a puppy... one great way to freak a pup out (in my opinion) is remove them from their litter mates, stuff them in a crate that they have no idea what it is, haul them to the airport to be put in the belly of the plane.... well, you get the idea... Of course that said... there are just some that can't be crate trained and have never had a bad experience You're absoluty correct Pat. I had 3 that I could not for the life of me crate train. Crating would have been wonderful.
  • D

    Pooping in crate!

    Basenji Training
    47 27 Oct 2008, 22:05
    27 Oct 2008, 22:05
    0 Votes
    47 Posts
    20k Views
    wrx227wrcW
    Piggy only has problems pooping when she gets panicky too. For example if we leave her home in a crate and someone comes in the house but doesn't come down to see her or let her out she will do it. We can't put anything in her crate or she shreds it, we tried everything. For a while I was even buying fleece baby blankets at the dollar store and tossing them if she pooped. We gave up on that after a while. The mess was terrible, so I can relate to hours of cleanup… by the time you get her cleaned up and the crate. We did some desensitizing and left for short periods like I described before, and that helped a lot. My friend that has a B went to the vet about her anxiety, hers would cry incessantly, and they actually gave her meds, prozac I think, for it. I think she tried it, but didn't think it worked enough to do it. Sounded crazy to me. It hasn't happened in a while so we have been lucky. She has come to terms with her crate now and will once in a while go hang out in it by choice, so I know she doesn't hate it. Have you tried one of those snuggle buddy things? I wonder if you could find some way to protect it if Darwin had an accident. Best of luck and lots of patience!