Crate training

[DanielReed]

We decided not to crate train our Australian Shepard because I am a stay at home mom so we are fortunate enough to be home with her a lot. We attempted it for a brief time in the beginning but I felt too guilty to leave her in a crate while the kids are running around playing and she is crying. She is 5 months olds now, I’m wondering if we made a mistake and if it’s too late to start now? She can easily escape out of her crate so she sleeps in the laundry room at night and goes there when we do leave the house. However, if she hears anyone at home she scratches the door like crazy. She’s still a chewer and a nipper so there are definitely times my life would be easier if she would relax in a crate. What are your thoughts on this?

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hello Daniel Reed,

Welcome to the forum!

It's great that you are a stay at home mom, not many dogs are so lucky to enjoy human companionship all day long!

You are never really too late to start crate training, however, it may take a bit more effort to train an older pup versus a younger puppy who has been introduced to a crate from day one.

 

Have you watched the "love the crate" videos? You can find them here:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/video-archive/love-the-crate/

 

If your dog tends to escape out of the crate, you may need some of those heavy-duty crates. However, if there are risks your dog may get hurt trying to get out a crate, you are better off keeping on using the laundry room if that's where she has always been so far. If she scratches the door like crazy, make sure that you never open the door when she's actively scratching (otherwise you'll have just rewarded that behavior) but open only when not scratching. It may help to keep a few interactive toys with her when she needs to be closed.

 

The crate in your case may likely may be a good solution for when you are present during the day and need your dog to be calm for a bit. Alternatively, you can try to train a relax cue when she's acting out by telling her to go on her mat:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/video-archive/train-dog-go-to-mat

 

Hope this helps, best regards!

Adrienne