I have to admit I am going through a bit of a low period with Jethro, in that I am exhausted with his needs for constant training (and some boundary pushing). I know that I have not been making enough time to just enjoy him, and that is not his fault. So, maybe there is a bit of tension in our relationship right now that is contributing to this problem:

We finally downsized Jethro's sleeping crate from the Giant size (48 l x 30 w x 33 h) to the next size lower (42 l x 28 w x 30 h). Jethro is 85 lb. now at 18 months, and the old crate was huge. It was also too big to fit anywhere properly in our house, so we decided to get something more manageable. At present Jethro is approx. 29" at his shoulder and 32 " nose to rump. He likes to curl up in his soft crate on the front porch and it is much smaller than the new crate.

With Jethro's old crate, we had pretty much worked out an easy crate routine: we could herd him to the stairs, and once he was going up the stairs he made a beeline for his crate (at the top of the stairs on the upstairs landing). When I removed the old crate and set up the new crate, he took an instant dislike to it and did not want anything to do with it.

I drape Jethro's crate with layers of sheets and blankets to dampen sound, because it is the only place where he truly sleeps deeply and doesn't wake to alert bark at every passing sound or smell. His new crate is draped and I used his old sleeping pad. So everything is exactly as it was except for the new crate smell and the crate is slightly smaller than the big one.

There is no question of forcing Jethro into the crate, he has to go in on his own volition. Also, it is hopeless to try to pull him into anything against his will, he is very strong and just gets extremely upset. On the other hand, if I give him a tug and can get him moving, he will move forward with a treat lure.

Last night (second night with the new crate) I was feeling tired and frustrated and made the mistake of trying to pull him. He ended up with his nose by the front door trying to get out of the house. Gah. I was able to turn him and lure him and get him settled, and he slept soundly once he was in.

I am in active training with Jethro on so many fronts - dog reactivity, recall, territorial reactivity around the house and yard... and he is an awesome dog. Last night I channeled Cesar from the episode where he convinces a St. Bernard to go up a flight of stairs to the second floor of a home. I did some OB exercises with Jethro around the main floor and then got in position and took a nice brisk walk at the stairs (Jethro was on leash). This was after my first unsuccessful attempt described earlier. I gave him a quick tug when he tried to veer off, but I had a handful of treats and I stayed slightly behind him and he moved, although coerced, on his own volition up and into the crate.

Any suggestions on how to tackle this? I am tempted to just be firm and put him in the crate without a fuss.

BTW - he gets lots of exercise, OB training, and he probably needs more play. I'm working on all fronts.

One last note, our house is discombobulated right now because we are preparing to lift it up and remove the foundation to pour a new one. We are in the process of moving everything out of the basement and re-sorting everything upstairs, so there is a lot of disruption on the main floor of the house.

Any suggestions on how to handle this would be much appreciated.

One thing I'm wondering is what material are all the crates made of? New crate, old crate, porch crate? You did say the new and old crates are the same except for the size. Are they metal, plastic, something else? If they are plastic, like the airline crates, maybe he is put off by the odor that all new plastic gives off. (You did mention a new crate smell.)

It sounds like the methods you're using to get him in the new crate are working so far, although I do understand you would like to not have to go through so much work to accomplish it! Hopefully, this is a situation where he's just suspicious of something new in his routine, and he will get used to it with the passage of a little more time.

Our agility class had (six weeks went fast) crates and x-pens for the pups to rest in between turns. These enclosures were being used by different dogs all the time and I’m sure have many different smells associated with them.

The first three classes, no problems with Echo, in and out of the different pens but the 4th was a bit of a strange day. Quite a storm happening outside, a couple of the dogs were reacting and he just wanted to play. We’d had our turn on the equipment and he didn’t want to go back into this crate.

Initially, I just wanted to man handle him in too but he’d never balked like this before and I didn’t want to create a bad experience for him - or get into a power struggle (one I probably wouldn’t win anyway). I took a step back and tried to figure out what was going on. Nothing unusual about the crate, I think he was just having too much fun.

I snapped a leash on and had him do some leash pressure work for treats. One step towards the crate, mark, reward. Another couple of steps and right in. With him it was just a matter of changing his momentary thought process.

Echo is crate trained and proofed. He will get in different crates - in a vehicle, in different buildings, outside, different weather. We’ve worked on enclosed areas since he was a baby and not just one specific crate.

I know how frustrating it can momentarily be, especially if you’re in somewhat of a hurry – I almost went the manhandling route myself, but took that step back and realized life is too short for these kinds of struggles. Sometimes we just need to back up and see where we can improve on our training or simply take another approach. And proof, proof, proof. Just like any other command.

I would treat this crate like a brand new training experience. Fun crate games to begin with, in an area that’s he’s comfortable… maybe even the front porch if that’s a spot he likes.

Thanks, CJ and Cheri,

After I posted my thoughts cleared. I got out the treats and clicker (the good treats!) and started by putting one treat on a step and when Jethro stepped up, I clicked the movement forward to pick up the treat. We went all the way to the top of the stairs that way, first time. Then, while he was still trying to figure out what would be next, I threw a handful of tasty treats into his crate and shut the door before he could get in. That stumped him, he was looking longingly into the crate but couldn't get to them. Then I called him back down the stairs and we went out for a walk. Later, when he needed to go into his crate, there were the treats, waiting for him inside. No fuss.

When I let him out again, I threw a handful of treats into the crate as he exited and shut the door. He really wanted to get back into the crate! But I didn't let him in, and we headed out for another walk.

I don't think I am going to have any problems getting him to bed tonight.

It just didn't feel right, to be powering him over his resistance. We have come so far, and now I realize, when I am feeling stumped, sometimes I just need to clear my head so the ideas can flood back in again.

It was a good day.

 Quote: jenny arntzen

I clicked the movement forward to pick up the treat.

You are marking dog's movement towards the reward? Almost like clicking while he's eating it ...

 Quote: jenny arntzen

There is no question of forcing Jethro into the crate, he has to go in on his own volition. Also, it is hopeless to try to pull him into anything against his will, he is very strong and just gets extremely upset.

I would be uncomfortable if my 85lb dog only did what he wanted. Time for some OB?

 Quote: jenny arntzen

(42 l x 28 w x 30 h). Jethro is 85 lb. ... is approx. 29" at his shoulder and 32 " nose to rump.

It sounds like the new crate is not big enough for him to be able to stretch out and sleep comfortably.

There is nothing wrong with having a huge dog crate(s) all around the house. Crates look neat, minimalistic and utilitarian, very bauhaus

 Quote: ana kozlowsky

 Quote: jenny arntzen

I clicked the movement forward to pick up the treat.

You are marking dog's movement towards the reward? Almost like clicking while he's eating it ...

I agree, this kind of sounds like you’re marking the eating of a lure (if that’s possible).

Like any touch games, he needs to figure out what you want him to touch (step on). Once he’s performed the action you’re looking for (initially something close/in the vicinity) immediately mark "then" out with the treat.

Well, I was trying to mark making progress up the stairs without a fuss, eating the treats was a sign that he was progressing from step to step. It is entirely possible that I didn't do it properly, but he seems to be on the rebound and is going into his crate again without a fuss.

He can lay down stretched out on his side, and stand up in it, he slept soundly last night, so I think it is the right size.

It is a wire crate, and the wire is covered with plastic, so I think it was the new plastic smell combined with whatever scents were absorbed from the box that might have put him off. Also, this crate has a different, double latch that is clangier than the last one. That seemed to upset him, too.

I really, really want to learn to teach him touch games.