Escaping from Crates

Name: PEGGY
Email: PEGGYIPG@AOL.COM
Date: 2006-07-19 19:05:25

BONNIE- WE ADOPTED A KATRINA DOG ( BOXER/HOUND) LAST OCT. SHE IS ABOUT 1YR OLD. WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT HER HOME SHE WAS IN A CRATE AT NIGHT AND WHILE WE WERE @WORK. THIS WORKED UNTIL ABOUT DEC/JAN. SHE BECAME AN ESCAPE ARTIST, SO WE THOUGHT WE WOULD LEAVE HER OUT WITH OUR OTHER 2 DOGS. SHE WAS GREAT UNTIL THE LAST MONTH OR SO. SHE HAS BECOME VERY VERY DISTRUCTIVE. WE DONT WANT HER TO GET HURT, SO WE ARE NOT SURE IF WE SHOULD TRY THE CRATE AGAIN. THE CRATE HAS A DOUBLE LOCK DOOR AND WE PUT A BUNGIE STRAP ACCROSS THE DOOR. SHE PUSHS HER WAY THROUGH THE TOP OF THE DOOR BENDING THE WIRE DOOR! WE REALLY DONT KNOW WHERE TO START. SHE HAS ALSO HAD SOME HEALTH PROBLEMS SINCE WE GOT HER AND SPENT TIME AT PURDUE FOR TESTING, ONLY TO FIND OUT SHE MAY HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES OR SEVERE IBS. PLEASE GIVE US A STARTING POINT. THANKS.

Date: 2006-07-22 11:16:29

Peggy Thank you for adopting a Katrina dog. It takes time, patience and love to adopt a rescue dog. In response to your questions, you said she was good in a crate until Dec/Jan. Did anything change in your routine or schedule to make her not like the crate anymore? Do you give her intactive toys and treats while she is in the crate to help keep her occupied? Do you know if anything happened with your other dogs when you left her out? Does she interact well with your other dogs? It sounds like she may be anxious about going in the crate so I would recommend putting her in a bathroom or utility room with a TV or radio on-as long as their is nothing for her to chew on or destroy. You mentioned she has been to Purdue (was this for temperment testing or health reasons?) Do you know if she has any food allergies? If she does have IBS that may explain why she is destructive and trying to escape? Have you noticed any messes in her crate? I would recommend a very mild food to help with the bowels and trying to put her in a closed room rather than a crate. You may also want to try some bach flower remedies for calming and separation anxiety. Feel free to call or stop in to the store and I will be happy to help you figure out which remedies will work best. Good luck-I am sure we can help you have a great relationship with your dog.

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