Need Help with Crate training

[sewilbr]

When I got my Border Collie/Lab mixed it took her only a couple of days for training. We left her in the house with my parents Golden Retriever. She never caused any problems until my Mother left with her dog to the vets, Riley then started to get into plants and other things. I went out and bought her a crate with a plastic bottom. We slowly introduced her to it and she was doing good in it. Now she will go in no problem and will play in there. But when i leave she tears up the bottom plastic on it and anything that is near it. She even managed her way out of it once, by moving it and hitting the wall. Everytime I try to catch her at the act she just doesn't care that im there telling her No. I know that she has seperation anxiety, especially from the drool Im finding all over the cage. i don't know what to do anymore. I've owned many dogs and never had this problem. Will take any suggestions.

[meowzart]

Well I"m no expert but here's a couple of thoughts...you might need to take the time to set her up to be successful. i.e. just leave for a minute come back and praise and treat her. Later for a few minutes - same rewards. gradually increasing the time. If she stays calm she gets rewarded. If she doesn't then you need to shorten the time you left her again until she's successful.

Also you might need to leave her something to chew like a hard nylabone or rubber that she can't destroy - but it may help her anxieties some.
You could also try rescue remedy before you leave her.

[aussiemedogs]

I have tried several methods for crate training, here are a few idea's:

1- Place the crate in a room so that she doesn't see you leave.
2- You can place a blanket over the crate to calm her.
3- Leave the radio on or the T.V as something to distract her.
4- Make sure you place her in the crate several times during the day so that she will soon realize this is her safe haven.
5- Use one word for this command so that she learns what it is that you want her to do: eg: crate, house, inside, whatever works.
Good-Luck!

[sewilbr]

Thanks for the advice. Riley decided herself that the cage was alright. Out of nowhere she started chewing on her bones in there and has no problems in there. I thought it was just a fluke but its been 4 days now and she hasn't chewed anything. I guess patience has a lot to do with it.