Many dog parents have trouble when it’s time to put their pup into his crate. A few whines and whimpers, and they find themselves breaking their little furball out of his jail. In reality, most puppies and dogs grow to feel safe and comfortable in their crate, but it can be a challenge during the initial training period.
If your Australian shepherd hates its crate, you should first identify why it feels that way. Addressing separation anxiety or previous trauma may help solve the issue. Only use positive reinforcement to create new habits. It also helps to ensure that the crate is the right size.
The rest of this article will discuss a few topics related to this question in more detail, including why your Australian shepherd may have an aversion to his crate, how to figure out the best solution, and what to do moving forward.
Why Does My Australian Shepherd Hate Its Crate?
Before determining how to best respond to this issue, it’s important to understand why your dog has such a negative attitude about his crate. Some dogs hate confinement from the first time they’re put in a crate or cage. Others develop a negative response because of previous experiences. It’s essential to try to figure out the root cause so that you can fix the problem.
An Australian shepherd might hate its crate if he’s left in the kennel for too long or if he’s uncomfortable. If you or a previous owner has used the crate as punishment, then your dog may associate it with negative emotions. Getting scared while crated may also cause your dog to avoid it later.
Australian shepherds are active dogs and are happiest when they can stay busy. Crate training these dogs is essential to provide a safe and comfortable place for your furry friend while you’re not home. When Aussies get bored or lonely, they can become destructive. Keeping your dog crated will keep both him and your furniture safe while he’s home alone.
However, this can be a challenge if your Aussie wasn’t crate trained as a puppy or if he has a strong aversion to his crate.
Getting Your Australian Shepherd To Love Its Crate
When it comes to the crate, switching your Aussie’s mindset from a negative association to a positive one might be a challenge. The best thing to do is start crate training early, as soon as you bring your puppy home. Since this isn’t always a possibility, or if you adopted an adult dog, sometimes you have to start from square one.
Let’s discuss some of the causes of your Aussie’s hate for its crate and what you can do about it.
Anxiety or Trauma
If your pup has separation anxiety, it could be very stressful for him to go into the crate before you leave. Similarly, if he’s had negative experiences in the past, he may be associating his crate with that trauma. For example, if he was tormented by a child while in a kennel or was scared by another animal, he may continue to associate those feelings with his new crate.
When it’s time to go into the crate, make it a positive environment. You can try feeding him in the crate, giving him treats, or a special toy. Eventually, your dog will begin to associate his crate with these good experiences instead of anything bad that happened in the past.
To deal with separation anxiety, make sure that your dog doesn’t have to hold her bladder for too long while crated. Ensure that she gets plenty of exercise and attention to offset her time in the crate.
If her anxiety is too bad, you may need to discuss it with your veterinarian. Some dogs require medication to help calm them down in the most severe cases. Another option is to use counterconditioning, which involves teaching your dog to associate something positive with you leaving instead of feeling anxious.
For example, giving your Aussie a special treat or toy before you leave may help her cope with your going. My dogs love pretty much every type of treat, but I use Wellness Soft Puppy Bites for training (click link for price).
A treat-dispensing toy, like this Clawsable Squeaky Toy (available on Amazon), is a good way to occupy your puppy’s attention while giving her something to occupy her mind. I like this one because you can fill it with whatever kind of treats you prefer, and it’s good for any size dog. The durable material is easy to clean, and it’s suitable for indoor or outdoor play.
Select the Right Crate
Having the right size crate can make a huge difference in how your Australian shepherd feels about it. A kennel that’s too small will be uncomfortable, and one that’s too big may not feel safe and secure.
If you suspect a negative experience in the past, it’s a good idea to try to get a different style crate than what your Aussie was in before (if possible). The Midwest Homes Crates are the best value I found on Amazon. The crates come with dividers so you give your dog more space as they get bigger. Also you have the option of one or two doors, which can be a benefit if your crate has to face a certain way in your home.
The Humane Society recommends that your dog’s crate should be just big enough for them to stand up and turn around. For a puppy, you should get one large enough for an adult dog and block off access to part of the crate.
Make sure the crate is comfortable, with soft bedding and access to water and toys.
Keep It Positive
If you’ve made the crate non-threatening, addressed anxiety issues, and gotten the right size kennel, the only thing left to do is train your Australian shepherd that the crate is his safe space. Feeding him inside the crate is a great way to make a positive association, as is giving him treats whenever he goes inside. This trick worked for my dog Lily.
Leave the door to the kennel open during the day or evening when you’re home, allowing your Aussie to go inside if she chooses. Give her plenty of praise and talk in a happy voice when she goes into her crate.
If your dog whines to come out of the crate while you’re home, resist the temptation to open the door until she stops. Giving in will teach her that whining is how she can get out of the crate, and it will be difficult to break that habit once she learns it.
Don’t yell or hit the outside of the crate to get the dog to stop whining or barking; this will only agitate her more.
It may take some time, but eventually, she will learn to tolerate her kennel and hopefully come to think of it as her cozy den.
Final Thoughts
Stress, anxiety, or discomfort may cause your Australian shepherd to hate its crate. Alternately, some dogs are just stubborn and don’t like being confined. Crate-training early will help prevent potential issues later on, but if you’re trying to create new habits for your adult dog, always keep it positive. A comfortable kennel that’s the right size will make the crate more appealing. Treats, praise, and food will help change your Aussie’s attitude over time.
