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August 12, 2023

My recently adopted 8 month old Husky is frantic if I kennel her and leave. What is the best way to retrain this?

Full Question:

Good morning,
I've just recently adopted a 8 month old female husky. Her precious owners were Hobbie breeders, and she was kept in her kennel constantly. I have no other behavior issues with her beside when she is kenneled and I'm not home she becomes frantic and will try to destroy the kennel. What is the best way to recreate train a puppy that panics in their kennel?
If I am in her eye sight she will lay in her kennel with the door open or closed with no issues. She will engage in relaxing in her kennel without being prompted.

Cindy's Answer:

My guess is that this is separation anxiety, how long have you had her? What kind of crate are you using?

User Response:

I have only had her for four days so far. I know it's a little ambitious that she will be comfortable that quickly. Currently I am using the generic metal grate kennel you can get from pet smart. I did already start marker training with a clicker for her to wait to be "released" I use free for her exit command and she does very well with that. I am concerned her kennel may be too big. She will walk circles in it for most of the time I'm at work. There is an average of maybe 1 hour of 7 that she will actually lay down and relax.
Thank you for the fast reply!!!

Cindy's Answer:

I would probably invest in a better crate, if she is trying to destroy the kennel and she actually gets out then you will have a very big problem. Once dogs learn that they can escape it can become a chronic issue and they can injure themselves in the process.

I would want at the very minimum an airline-style crate, I don't like wire crates for dogs that have crate anxiety, they are too easy to break out of. We have an article on this here. https://leerburg.com/cratewarning.htm

From what I can see the crate isn't too big.

I think the article will give you some ideas.

User Response:

Thank you!
I switched her kennel and she has calmed down so much just in the first day. She crawled into the new kennel while I was setting it up and went straight to sleep. I can already see a difference in her personality now that she is more relaxed.

Cindy's Answer:

that's great news!

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