Canine Behavior/crating

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Expert: - 2/9/2012


Question
We have had Madison,our terrier/pointer mix dog for 7 months. She is 3 years old, and we got her and our aussie at the same time from a rescue. She is very mild mannered over all. We started crate training right away and she goes in very easy with a treat. After going in she and her sister dog start barking, howling and Madison tries to get out. I think it stops after a few minutes because they are very quiet when we come back. I noticed yesterday she is using her teeth to try to get out and actually has bent the wire. I assume this just started as I never noticed it before. I could hear her pawing the crate (bad for her nails), but had no idea she was biting it. I wanted to see if you have any suggestions. I usually put them in and don't leave the house immediately because I forget something, etc. I am thinking it is because she knows we are still here and I shouldn't put them in until I am ready to walk out the door. The crates are the right size, side by side, area made den like with the back and sides covered. They also have water and a crate pad. I asked you a question about my aussie being afraid of the dog park recently and didn't think I would have another question so soon. I'm afraid she will hurt herself. We also would like to travel with them occasionally and I can't leave them crated in a hotel room with this howling going on.

Answer
Dogs that are house trained reliably should be confined to area like the kitchen with soft bed, water and safe toys.  Remove the crates.  There's no reason to crate a dog for more than a couple of hours, at most.  This dog is experiencing extreme anxiety at this confinement, for whatever reason (something may have prompted it but she now has barrier frustration).  She will hurt herself seriously.  If you feel the two dogs can't be left alone safely together, separate them. If they sleep together, play together, eat together all with no problems, confine them together as suggested.  At this point, this dog will soon escalate in her anxiety to the point where the crate will ALWAYS elicit this behavior and will be of no use in a hotel room or anywhere else.

Canine Behavior

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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