I bought a crate to train my dog... he was neglected in a breeding cage, until...

[Rox]

...rescued. NOW WHAT?? Hi. I asked a question earlier and had some good responses. I went to buy the crate to train the dog in which I adopted. He was neglected in a breeders care and kept in a cage exclusively. He walks in circles continuously. I put him in his cage to familiarize hiself with the idea. I put his dinner in there, he ate, than i was taking him out. When he realized were he was... he panic'd....I waited til he calmed, by sitting there and when I removed him to take him outside, his heart was going a mile a minute..... do I continue with this? Look for another means to train him? Any suggestions? I do not want to cause him anxiety or bad memories.... please help.

[Sum]

I would say no. He associates too many bad things with a cage. He has finally been rescued, so don't make him relive it. I crate-trained my new dog, but that's because he doesn't have a past traumatic experience with cages. I think it would be better if you tried a crate alternative. Like putting a puppy gate to the entrance to the kitchen so it'll be an area that's easy to clean, give the same kind of results as crate training, but a little more open for your dog.

[Tucker]

Try adding toys such as a peanut butter filled kong or a chew/rattle. Anything that will stimulate the animals brain. Also make the crate comfortable by using a bed or carpet if it keeps chewing it's bed. Lastly, I would suggest leaving a tv or radio on when you are away and the animal is in the crate. Even if it is just in the begining. It seemed to calm a dog I had and I tried everything. Good luck!

[Julia T]

Give him lots of attention, and take him out frequently, try leaving the door to her crate open when you feed it, and only secure it when you really need to, so that she doesn't feel like she has to be in there.