Sounds like you have instituted some good measures.

Bumping for more suggestions.

 Quote: Peter Morgulis

I went out tonight and put him in his crate with his femur bone stuffed with hot dog and his favourite ball, he wasn't panting when we left; however, we got home 3hrs later to find him up on the sofa, only mild carpet and door chewing.

That's an improvement! Peter, can you set up planned comings and goings where he doesn't have time to get out of the crate? For instance, if you know it takes him 20 minutes to finish off the femur bone return in 5 and nonchalantly let him out(if he's behaving) ignore him no big praise....I think if you can bring the importance of the crate down a tad in his mind. It might help if you come home while he's still in the crate. Possibly set him up to thinking you return when he's in the crate not out of it.
I whole heartedly agree with Anne and Tammy, even if he does minimal destruction every time he escapes, it will give him more incentive to keep escaping, so I would try one of the aluminum crates....they are more costly but I can't imagine more so than repairing the damage he is doing when he escapes. Not to mention reinforcing the behavior. I think the chance of physical damage to himself is a greater risk than the psychological damage from not being able to escape. I'm not a behaviorist though so this is just my opinion.

Thank you for your response.

I have been reading a lot and thinking about aluminum crates. I also read the article about dogs who break out of crates.
I have read the posts on Leerburg about separation anxiety. The consistent message is to use no-bark collars along with a muzzle to teach them to remain calm in the crate as he gets vocal when he gets anxious.

Had some success today.....bought an SA Pheromone diffuser and have had it running for 2 days now. Left him out of his crate today but had him muzzled which he is used to. Came home and no destruction....he was sleeping in his bed. One small step forward...

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

... That's an improvement! Peter, can you set up planned comings and goings where he doesn't have time to get out of the crate? For instance, if you know it takes him 20 minutes to finish off the femur bone return in 5 and nonchalantly let him out(if he's behaving) ignore him no big praise....I think if you can bring the importance of the crate down a tad in his mind. It might help if you come home while he's still in the crate. Possibly set him up to thinking you return when he's in the crate not out of it.

I whole heartedly agree with Anne and Tammy, even if he does minimal destruction every time he escapes, it will give him more incentive to keep escaping, so I would try one of the aluminum crates....they are more costly but I can't imagine more so than repairing the damage he is doing when he escapes. Not to mention reinforcing the behavior. I think the chance of physical damage to himself is a greater risk than the psychological damage from not being able to escape. I'm not a behaviorist though so this is just my opinion.

I agree too. The varied (very varied) set-ups mentioned are to me a big part of both S/A work and any other crate-phobia problem, along with the exercise that you are already addressing.

Once a dog learns to escape a crate, yard, whatever it can be a pia to control that behavior. The intensity put in to getting out just builds and builds till the dog just explodes when it does get out. It's like capping drive. The crate finally gets open and POW! The dog explodes.
The aluminum crate should help go a long way to break that cycle.
This is a situation where you extend time alone VERY slowly and randomly.

thank you Bob for the post. good sound advice.

Still running the dogs (urban mushing) 6-12km per day, pheromone diffuser still on, muzzled during the day, no destruction day 4!

Very good...but don't slack off. Like I commented this can be a long ride even doing everything correctly.

Its been a while since my last update...but I have good news. Dexter, my 3yr old Husky/Shepherd mix has stopped the destructive chewing of the front door....and anything else for that matter. He no longer pulls up the carpet and chews. He doesn't pace or whine or pant when we are getting ready to go out. He no longer needs the basket muzzle and with help from the vet, we tapered him off the clomicalm so he is medication free! He uses his crate as a den to sleep in during the day but we leave the door open and he seems happy that way.

I am still running them 6 - 15km a day urban mushing with my scooter and have found a fenced in tennis court for him and his mate Makita to run around and play in. He has also come around and is once again showing interest and playing with toys.

We no longer go to the dog park for off leash play. I prefer the fenced in tennis court (while it is still snow covered) and will look for another fenced in play area once the warmer weather comes. We have also gone back to basics obedience training, using different foods as rewards. His recall is improving every week.

Thank you to everyone for their encouraging words and support to help us get through that rough patch.

"Outstanding"!

Good job putting the work in, I'm glad everyone is happier (Time to sing a little Kumbaya..)