Ahhhhhh.... good job little grasshopper!! (hope the accent comes across correctly...)
A few thoughts...

Does she like to chase a ball or retrieve a toy? If so, play with her and toss the ball/toy different places and every so often toss it in the crate. If the crate has two doors, open them both while playing.

Teach her "find". We do this a lot on rainy days. I put Falcon on a sit/down in one room and go hide his toy, then send him to find it. You could occassionally hide it in her crate.

Teach her "place" - use a small rug or mat. Move the place around to different locations and occassionall put it in her crate and tell her place.

These are just some thoughts to get her used to using the crate for other things other than being crated and sometimes those things are fun.

I'm going to find a link to other crate games and post that for you to give you other ideas.

You can do this, just keep in mind she might have a negative memory about crates, so try to make it fun.

Thank you I will try everything suggested, I want her to enjoy the crate not hate it.
Liz

 Quote: sonya gilmore

If it were me I would practice crating when I don't have to go somewhere. I toss a raw meaty bone in her crate and ask her to follow. If she didn't follow immediately I would take the bone back to the freezer/frig and ignore her. She ONLY gets the bestest bone when crated.

This^^ and get her excited/wanting what you have before you give her a chance to get it. For instance, pull out that jackpot reward so she knows you have it. Make a big deal out if it then put it in the crate. "woo-hoo, Look what I've got, do you want it???"

Same thing with her dinner when you feed her. Make a big deal out if it, get her excited about getting her food, then stick it in her crate. If she ever balks, no biggie, just pick it up and put it away.

Also, if she knows touch, ask her to touch her crate. Work on OB around the crate. The more you can incorporate the idea of fun thing happening around the crate, the more her attitude about it will change.

Mara, You just reminded me of the person who suggested tossing in a toy/bone while the dog is excited and SHUT the gate so she can't get to it... building the excitement and desire to go IN the crate.

I used to toss a treat in, and leave the door open. I did this for awhile so they could come out right away and not feel trapped. Then I went to every time they went into their crate I would say, "in". when they got that down I would move to saying in and when they went in got a treat. Then I would begin rewarding them for staying in the crate for longer intervals. I would shut the door and as soon as they sat still and were quiet I would open the door and give them a treat and say "good".
I had them (one at a time) stay longer and longer. I know this seems like a lot of work, but they really started to love their crates. Now if I say its time to take a nap, or go to bed, they charge in there like a herd of galloping horses and I toss a treat in there for them. So, it worked! If they were over excited about coming out of their crate, I just turned around immediately and left the room. That has been my experience.

Sharon

As a life-long hater of crates (because of how they get mis-used) but also as someone who has recently been turned around about them...I'd like to say that your comment about putting her in the crate when you've tired of her kind of struck a cord. (She isn't a fan of the crate for whatever reason, and then she picks up on your frustration, etc., which complicates the issue.)

I got turned around, largely, due to viewing the crate as a tool, not a corrective measure, and never as a punishment. (But that's just me.)

What may be an enjoyable and productive venture for BOTH of you is the DVD "Crate Games" by Susan Garrett. It was suggested to me by some knowledgeable folks and I ordered it to take a peek. (The husband was against crating, too.)

I don't think that anyone will disagree that a crate can become an unwelcoming place for a dog (like a kid being told to go stand in the corner).

You don't know her past--so work with her. Be patient. Work with her. Keep her mentally stimulated, too, by having her learn new things. Work with her.

I assure you that your mutual bond will strengthen by teaching her new things, beng consistant and fair; she'll get to know you--and you will get to know her. You each will pick up on each other's nuiances.

Thanks for adopting!!!! I love when people make their favorite breed "rescued." They aren't without their challenges!

 Quote: Sharon DeGaramo

... comment about putting her in the crate when you've tired of her kind of struck a cord.

Good catch.

Crate = safe den-place, not punishment or banishment.

I know it may be unconscious, but it's crucial not to view the crate as a banishment place.

I admit I skimmed, so this may have been mentioned: There should be plenty of door-open, in and out at will, no humans departing .... neutral (open-door) crate.

What size is the crate? I like to put my dogs in a crate bigger then what they need. I do this only with housebroken older dogs. They seem to really enjoy the extra space.

When I meant I put her away when I am tired of her I mean when I don't want to watch her every move or else something else is going to be chewed up (ex. new computer stereos) I never put her away when i am frustrated but when i am I count to ten then calm down because it makes thing worse instead of better if i don't unfortunately Ive learned from experience .
She is getting better at not hating her crate
I have done whats been suggested and now she has two kongs and beef bones in her crate. But she still prefers laying next to me.
Her crate is for dogs up to 70lbs she is 31lbs