I would have to agree with Ed on this. This dog is now what the older German's would call a "Crate Fighter".

I would imagine that the only thing to do is to get a crate that this dog cannot chew its way through. A plastic crate is going to be like putting a galllon of milk in a wet paper bag, and expecting it to hold. Once a dog has developed the habit of getting out of its crate, then if there is way, he/she will find out; even if it means chewing a whole through the plastic sides, of pulling the doors off with its teeth.

Or double crate it until it gets the point.

look at a Ray Allen type crate. they are very pricey, but there is zero chance that a dog will get out of one of these. They are made out of metal, and heavily constructed.

There are many different vendors for these type crates, Ray Allen just comes to mind (and they have a nice website)

Also consider behavioral conditioning. I would stay away from drugs at this point (as you have not yet exhausted all other options).

Good luck

Hi Matt-
Thanks for your suggestions. Went to the site.
Unfortunately, I don't think I can afford a $450.00 crate. Will have to figure something else out. Thanks a lot anyway.
Patty

I am, by no means, an expert; but I know how much I appreciate advice with problem behavior. Here's my two cents for your consideration.
First, I think Ed has some very good points and, although I have not seen the referenced video, I'd imagine there's a good reason for him to recommend it.
What I'd like to add here is something that I didn't see much mention of and I've had a bit of personal experience with. What this sounds like is separation anxiety at its most extreme. Although I wouldn't say it's time to give up and resort to drugs, the anxiety issue needs to be addressed. A good crate is the first step in that because the behavior will not stop immediately, and you'll need something to stand up to the abuse until you find the solution to the anxiety. I had to do extensive searching for tips on separation anxiety and the work seems endless. There is hope, but it will take lots of work. Baby steps (not baby-ing!) will go a long way. I agree with the post that suggests crate-ing in the bedroom. I started my GSD on this the day I brought her home. The first night of whining was intense, but perseverance (you MUST be more stubborn than they are!) led to success. Show your puppy that there is no need to worry about your absence. Start with very short trips out the door and back in. Gradually work that duration and reward good behavior.
I hope my input helps. Good luck!

I'm not convinced that SA is the problem here. It's just as possible that this dog has simply learned that she can escape from the crate; the behavior has been reinforced by her success, so naturally it will be a hard behavior to extinguish.

I agree she needs more crate time when you are home, not just when you're leaving or going to bed. It needs to be a part of her daily routine, whether you're home or not. And, I'd suggest that you vary the length of time she goes in. Sometimes she goes in for five minutes, other times she goes in for an hour. Try to make sure you're in the same room or nearby, so she doesn't feel that the crate is a place of isolation away from you, and be sure to give her something to chew such as a stuffed Kong or a marrow bone, so that it's a pleasant place for her to be. Practice putting her in and taking her out frequently throughout the day, but make sure you never take her out when she is making a fuss. Take her out when she is quiet and calm. Always crate her when you need to do something that will prevent you from being able to supervise her adequately, such as preparing a meal or taking a shower.

I would also suggest that you begin integrating a "safety cue". When you put her in her crate for a short period of time while you are home, turn on the radio or the tv so she hears sounds and human voices. At first, do not do this when you're leaving home or going to bed. Do it ONLY when she's going to be in there for a short time. Eventually, she will associate the sounds of the tv or radio with being in the crate for a short time, and not being left home alone or isolated when you go to bed at night. After a few weeks, you can start leaving the radio/tv on when you leave her home alone, crated. The sound will have become an association to her that you are going to be there to let her out shortly.

I would even go so far as to close the drapes and everything that you normally do right before you leave, except without the leaving part. That will help take the emphasis off of your "going away" signals, so that when you really go away, the contrast isn't so great.

I don't know about anyone else's experience here, however, I have a Dobermann pup that is crate resistant (my fault) He is 6.5 months old now, and I am working on it this way. Instead of the 'crate' I have a 5' high Xpen for him. It is made of steel and closed with leash clips. I feed him in there only, he spends differing amounts of time in there during the day, with and without the door closed. His toys (kongs) and a cow femur are readily accessible to him in there at anytime. BUT, they can NOT come out! If he attempts to bring one out, I give him a sharp squirt with my trusty water pistol and a loud NO! He has learned in the past 2 weeks that this is how it goes now. I have graduated to leaving him alone in it while I leave the house for up to 4 hours. He squawks at first, and I'm sure settles down to nap as soon as I leave the driveway, then squawks as soon as he hears me come back in the driveway. LOL When I come in the house, I will NOT make eye contact with him..only hold up my hand to tell him (silently) to 'settle' when he does settle, I put him in a down/stay then.....and only then (quiet doggy in a nice down/stay) I open the door (never looking at him, or acknowledging him in anyway) I release the down/stay with an OK and let him outside to relieve himself. Then, he gets to come in the house and have a rapid fire obedience session (5 minutes of everything I can think of in 3 seconds or less) he gets treated for his successes and we go on with life in general.
Sorry if this is going on too long, it may seem confusing the way I've written it out, but, it seems to be working for him. Little SA and NEVER make coming OUT of the crate seem like MORE fun then being IN it!
As well as redirecting his attention (rapid fire OB) to have him feel like a successful puppy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Any other suggestions ya'll might have for me, I'd love to hear.

P.S. I know you're all thinking "but, that's too big! he can use it as a washroom/den" He is very reliably housebroken. Only concern I have now, is training him to sleep in a smaller crate instead of my bed (I am gonna get slammed for that aren't I? Although, I did say this problem was all my fault didn't I? I'm working on it
Looking forward to replys