I recently adopted a male 9 month old Toy Fox Terrier from a puppy mill rescue. I already had a two year old Jack Russell Terrier from another rescue for the last year. I have introduced the two according to the Leerburg method of slowly getting them together, first with the new one in a crate,walking them together, and so on. They have been doing well, so far, but I have not left them unattended together. One problem I have is my new dog keeps going into my other dog's crate. I don't blame her for getting upset with him and I think that would be the only reason she might start a fight with him in the future. I usually have to get the new dog out and let my other dog lay down in her crate while I put the new dog somewhere else. He never seems to want to go into his crate, though. He cries at night sometimes when he is put to bed, but I have him in the living room and when I hear him bark in his crate at night I toss a wiffle ball down the steps from upstairs and the noise makes him stop. He doesn't know it's coming from me, so he doesn't become afraid of me (he is a puppy mill dog, after all, so I have to be concerned with this) and I never have to do it more than once. But he never goes in his crate during the day unless he's made to. Any suggestions on how to make my other dog's crate less appealing to the new dog. Both crates have a fluffy bed inside and are about the same size.

I only have a sec, but I would make his own crate more attractive to him.

I would toss in a high-value treat, keep the crate in a place he wants to be, etc.

 Quote: Lisa Oliss

But he never goes in his crate during the day unless he's made to.

How is he made to go in and under what circumstances?

I agree with Connie, making his crate most appealing. Also, perhaps crating him at random times during the day (after a great marker session or walk, etc) with the tastiest of tasty treats and or a loaded kong will help normalize the crate for him. Afterall, after a full day being out, well, it becomes predictable for him, crate=no freedom. ???? Maybe some soft music on at night will help too.

I kept my pup crated for the first month basically with potty breaks, some play, some walks, etc, but the ground work has been set. I will say, now that he is out for longer periods tethered to me throughout the day, more and more social trips, etc, he went through a day or two which required gizzards (I cook them into tasty jerky treats) as a motivator to go in versus his lil dried cranberries. It's essential to keep the crate a good place for your pup.

Oh, and perhaps when they are out together, closing the door to your other dog's crate will solve the problem of your pup going in there.

Thanks, I will try that today.

Thanks for the advise. I will try that today. I do think the pup needs to spend more time in his crate. The other day my husband caught him falling asleep standing up. He just doesn't want to miss a thing.