I have a 7.5 y. o. dog who has never been crated. I just adopted him a few days ago.
I want to get him comfortable with the crate. Is there a difference in the technique between training puppies and adult dogs?
If there is a difference, how should I do it?

Currently we have the crate set up in the living room. It is a wire type crate. The back end is covered with a sheet for privacy.
The water bowl is at the back of the crate, the food bowl is beside the water during breakfast and dinner time. There isn't any food left there for the day.
Instead, there are a few treats for him to find when he gets in. When he goes in, we praise him immensely.
But he does not go in very frequently. The first time he only got the first paws in to pick up the closest treat. The second time he got some water but he was running out (as if he knew).
Now he goes in to eat and drink, but he still picks treats with only two paws in and the back legs out, stretching into the crate. I can tell that he is very careful.
He sleeps on the floor on the living room most of the time.

thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

This is an update on my previous post.

When he is alert and he pays attention to us, we show him the treats and throw them one by one into the crate. We praise him excitedly, and wait for him to come out. Then we through the next and do this a number of times. When he does this a few times, I get him to go in and stay at the door so he can't come out. I get him to sit in the crate and for that he gets a treat again.
Now we see some wagging tail action but very slightly.

Where do we go from here?

I am more hopeful now. We had the crate for about 23 hours. I know we have to go slowly, we need to build trust first.

By the way, why is crate training important for a fear biter? I can't seem to make the connection. We are doing the crate because we were told that we should. He is already house trained, but what else are the reasons for crate training, especially an adult?

By the way, why is crate training important for a fear biter? I can't seem to make the connection. We are doing the crate because we were told that we should. He is already house trained, but what else are the reasons for crate training, especially an adult? The reason is the fear. Fear biting comes from insecurity. Dogs are den animals by nature. The crate will become his own safe place, his room, a place to get away. I have 2 crate trained adult dogs that can both be left out all the time. I still have the crates, and the dogs will let themselves in and out as they feel the need.

The flip side is for your sanity. I don't know how social you are, but when you have company the dog will be better off in his crate. No chance of biting company from there.

Again, if the dog has to go to the groomer or has to stay overnight at the vet, he will have to be crated. It is far less stressful for a dog that is accustomed to a crate.

I agree with Barbara, slow down. Let the dog adjust. I think everyone who gets a rescue goes through a bit of buyer's remorse. But I care to remind you that puppies are not easy either. The short term investment in a rescue can pay much larger dividends over time.

as110,

Yoy stated that the the crate is in the livingroom. Is it in a olocation that you dog can
feel as though he can be part of the group. Putting it off to the side and out of the way will slow down your progress.

Also I would remove the cover from the back of the crate. Does the dog need priviacy or you?

His crate should become a haven for your dog away from the human family.

Nothing changes quickly, it takes time!!
good luck, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the responses.

The crate is not on the side, it is beside the couch in place of my armchair where I used to watch tv. I moved the chair so it faces teh couch and the crate, so all of the items complete a circle. He could see us from there no matter which part of the room we are in. He may as well lay and watch us from there. It is very close to us.
I just made him a bed so it is more comfortable in the crate. He seems to like the cushion from the chair that I put in front of the crate and he lays down on it.

The cover on the top was to simulate the den, not for our privacy. I didn't know it was not necessary but I removed it. We want the dog as company so we are not planning to keep him away from us.

Covering the crate does simulate the den and gives the dog security. This is where the internet is great, but you have to decide what you do and do not want to take in the form of advice. Given the oppourtunity the dog will sleep under something like a desk, or beside the chair, because this also simulates a den.

Dogs do not lay down and sleep comfortably in wide open spaces.

Am I saying that the dog won't sleep in the middle of the floor? No. What I am saying is that he will pick a more secure area for periods of deep sleep.

Use your judgement. I prefer the vari-kennels, but I have both styles of crates. My dogs only use the vari kennel on their own and never voluntarily enter the wire crate. That to me is proof enough.

as110,
I thought the cover was on the back of the crate, I keep a cover on the top only. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
My GSD and Akita both use the crate on their own when wanting to be by themselves. They will also share at same time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Schnauzergirl and have different approach on their crate. I think as I said an open crate allows your dog to always be in your sight. I feel this lets the dog be part of the group at all times. My two dogs are always laying with their heads in my direction. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Like Schnauzergirl posted, you will get different approaches to solve the same problem,
Be sure to use caution when trying to use these answers to your questions.

I'm not a professional trainer but have had succes using the wire crate. Do make sure that the crate is steady and does not move. That was very good advice.
Good luck!!

A good wire crate should not be wobbly. I prefer the Midwest fold down type. The crate should be large enough to allow the dog to stretch out in a comfortable sleeping position. I cover the top of my crates with a sheet so that several inches hang down from the top. This simulates the protection and security of a den. I also place a blankets in my crates for the dogs to be comfortable upon. (Dollar store has wonderful blankets/single size that can be cut in half to double your purchase power and they wash and bleach great too!)
My crates are all in my "mud room" which is just off the kitchen area of the house. When I'm home; the dogs that are crated while I am gone are either outside or have free run of the house with the others. It is not unusual to for me to find a couple of dogs in one crate; snuggling and sleeping together. My 90lb lab will squeeze himself into a crate designed for a dog half his size..don't know why...I suppose he just "likes" his old room.