My Dog is Afraid, How do I get her to Go in the Crate?

My Dog is Afraid, How do I get her to Go in the Crate?

The crate has to be a POSITIVE experience! The below process can and should take 1-2 weeks.

Begin by closing the door to the crate. Sit down on the floor about 10-20 ft from it. Using the dog's favorite toy, start playing with the dog. While you are playing, take some small pieces of treat and just toss them in the area of the kennel. NOT TO CLOSE, just near it, so she gets used to being around it while she is having fun. When the dog takes the treats make a big deal of it and give LOTS of praise.

Over a period of a few days move closer to the crate until you are sitting in front of the crate just inches from door.

If at any time she starts to become uncomfortable around the crate you must immediately move away from it, but just far enough until she is calm again.

The next step is to open the door slightly while you play.

Next: open the door all the way while playing.

Next: put treats just inside the door.

Next: toss treats inside the crate and have the dog go in to get them and come right back out.

Next: have the dog go in and get a treat, put the dog in a "sit" inside w/ the door open. Reward with another treat. and so on until you can close the door without the dog reacting.

When you reach this point, just begin slowly increasing the time the door is closed.

The key to this is: DON'T get in a hurry! Do it at the dog's pace ... Sessions should last for just a few minutes, and do them several time per day.