I am inquiring on the concept of full crate submission. I recently adopted a 3 y.o cattle dog mix this past April. He has come a long way with his training but still has a long way to go.

Every morning before class, he gets fed and we go on a 25 minute walk. When we get back, I make breakfast for myself and watch some TV before class. Right before I leave for class he gets put in his crate. Because of this routine, he knows when he will be put in the crate. Often, shortly before I put him in his crate, he will go over to his bed, in the corner of my room beside his crate, and lie down.

I have not been able to get him to enter his crate on command, so whenever I want to put him in his crate I must walk him over to the crate and then he will walk in. He knows when he is going into his crate and every time I reach for his collar in the morning (only while he is lying on his bed) to put him in the crate, he tries to bite me. He will lay on his back, show his teeth, and strike at my hand with his mouth when I try to reach his collar. I still manage to get his collar and have tried to discipline him when he does it but the behavior continues. I think it stems from his hatred for his crate. Once he walks into his crate, he turns around and lies down.

He has been crated almost every day since I got him last April.

Do you have any suggestions on how to reduce his hatred for his crate?

This is not uncommon. Logan has done that before too with the crate and the kennel...he doesn't want to go in when he know's I am leaving. In the truck or workshop he's fine.

Define discipline.

Does your dog have any chew things in his crate? Dogs hate being bored.

This is what I did:
1. Played a food game with the crate/kennel when he didn't have to go in.
2. Left a leash on him to deal with the biting and avoidance.
3. Stopped making it a confrontation.

I think there is an article on LB about this issue. I am going to try and post a link if I can find it...other wise will go into more detail.

I am always able to grab his collar but sometimes with a few casualties to my hand. I say, "NO", grab his scruff, and sometimes yank on his collar with my hand.

No matter what toys I put in his crate, he will not touch them. He has toys he loves and plays with all the time, but if I put them in his crate he won't touch them.

I think I might try keeping a leash attached or try saving the feeding for right before I leave for class and then make him enter the crate to get fed?

Yes you can feed hi in the crate...since he hates it, only feed him in the crate.

I wouldn't grab his scruff or anything. What I did for example: When it was time to put my dog in his kennel I had him on a leash with a nylon slip collar (as long as they can't back out). I walked him to the kennel and as soon as he backed up, I said NO (calmly) and swiftly dragged him into the kennel and shut the door in his face. Every time I opened the door to un clip the leash he tried to push his head through and I just shut the door.

He gave in. When I go to let him out now I just make him sit and wait with the door open. He isn't allowed out until he waits calmly. I just had to establish some rules without being confrontational about it. He still hates it but doesn't put up a fight. I don't blame him, its lonely and boring to be in there. The more exercise, training and time you spend with him otherwise should make a difference. Some dogs are insecure and you actually have to teach them some independence...but that's another thing.

Logan decided it wasn't worth it to resit going in. I didn't make it a big struggle or big deal..just nope, put his butt in there. Nothing traumatic. He doesn't chew on toys either in his kennel or crate (unless in the shop). He'll eat in there though.

I didn't find the article its in the ebook "common sense solution to house training problems" where it talks about crate training issues. 12 bucks, might be worth it (do I get commission?).

There is a series of 3 free videos that Ed and Cindy did on "crate games" that help a dog accept the crate. I don't have time to look them up and link them for you, but if you just put Crate Games in the search they should come up. You might get some good ideas from them.

Here's the list link: http://leerburg.com/search/searchresults.php?terms=crate%20games

Edited by Kelly (01/10/2012 09:33 PM)
Edit reason: added link

Sounds like his crate is prison and not a pleasant place to rest.

Have you tried to get him tongue dragging tired before you leave.

I don't have time but a quick version and not done in a session I made a game of crate training tossing treats near and in the crate letting the dog go in and out getting the treats.
Then I would mark/reward for going in, lying down, sitting in crate door open. Then started closing door 5 seconds, 20 sec, 1 minute open door let him out for reward.
Then I would leave the room while he was in the crate door closed, again 10 sec, 30 sec, 1 minute come back open door reward progressing up slowly. Then leave the house same thing 1 min, 2 min, come in let him out reward progressing up longer and longer.

As people are unanimously suggesting, you really want to stop making this a war. 100% counterproductive when you want the dog to view his crate as his den to rest in.

Joe has outlined pretty much my crate protocol too:

QUOTE: "Have you tried to get him tongue dragging tired before you leave.

.... not done in a session ..... I made a game of crate training tossing treats near and in the crate letting the dog go in and out getting the treats.

Then I would mark/reward for going in, lying down, sitting in crate door open. Then started closing door 5 seconds, 20 sec, 1 minute open door let him out for reward.
Then I would leave the room while he was in the crate door closed, again 10 sec, 30 sec, 1 minute come back open door reward progressing up slowly. Then leave the house same thing 1 min, 2 min, come in let him out reward progressing up longer and longer."
END

See how the crate first becomes a part of a game of getting high-value rewards and then coming back out?

Do you understand "mark"? Do you know marker training?

What in the world is "Full Crate Submission"??

I'm honestly cringing at the thought of that.

Give your dog a reason to like going in the crate and they'll like going in it. Give your dog a reason to hate it and they'll hate it...

I feed my dogs in their crates (or just throw a handful of kibble in) and they always are very eager to go in.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

What in the world is "Full Crate Submission"??

I'm honestly cringing at the thought of that.

Give your dog a reason to like going in the crate and they'll like going in it. Give your dog a reason to hate it and they'll hate it...

I feed my dogs in their crates (or just throw a handful of kibble in) and they always are very eager to go in.

I admit that I almost remarked on the terminology too. But I figure this is a new owner.

I'm very sorry that the situation has gone on for five months or so, though. I'd roll up my sleeves to reverse it asap.