Going in crate on his own - how to do that?

[Spike's Mom]

Spike sleeps in his crate every night, he has since he was brought home - except for when he had the cone on and even then I think he would have rather been in his crate. Problem is he won't go in on his own. I put him to bed with a couple pieces of kibble and close the door. Lately he has been getting a 15 - 30 minute time out in there when he steals something. He doesn't "resent" it for this now because he goes in quietly and there is no talking to him and he knows it as his bed. He's catching on quickly and his stealing has decreased a bit. BUT he won't go in on his own. At nighttime I feel like if I put him in his crate before 8 there might still be some antsyness so I try to wait until then or later. Some nights I know he is telling me he wants to go in but like last night for example. We went for an after dinner walk and ended up talking with the neighbor for about and hour and Spike played with their 2 bulldogs. When we went inside he was panting up a storm and I wanted him to relax and start breathing somewhat normally before I put him in there in case he wanted to really sprawl out on the cold floor. It was probably 15 minutes later - I could see he wasn't finding a place to get settled but wanted to give it another 15 minutes - I also give him some canned food a bit before bed since he seems hungry after a walk (Science diet u/d) so I didn't want to give it to him until he relaxed a bit. He decided it would be a better idea to jump up on the counter and steal a banana. I have to admit it was funny He just about always runs where he can be cornered and the item taken so I did and sent him to bed and put his water in there and gave him a couple pieces of kibble. All this could have been averted if he just went in his crate by himself. I would have eventually checked on him, given him a couple pieces of kibble and shut the door. What can I do to get him to realize that his crate is an option when he wants to go to sleep?

[Samson]

Certainly stop using the crate for time out as he will associate it with punishment.

Treats treats treats all the way in the crate ! Does he always have access to the crate ?

[Spike's Mom]

Certainly stop using the crate for time out as he will associate it with punishment.

Treats treats treats all the way in the crate ! Does he always have access to the crate ?

Yup the crate is always open and accessible. I thought about that but there is no yelling and usually at the point that he steals something he needs a nap.

[SharonaZamboni]

Bean only goes in the crate when I leave the house. I'll turn off the TV, turn on the radio, and he runs right into the crate. I toss in a few pieces of kibble. Maybe it's the routine we've gotten into that makes it so easy. I used to leave the crate open all day, but he kept dragging his bed out to chew on it, so the door's closed now and he only goes in when I want him to.

[Mely1015]

I'm in there with you...I had got Roxy just couple time where she gets in her crate by herself not very often. I guess that since her crate is in the room she doesnt want to be by herself in the room she is always at anyones feets.

[bett]

crate should be their haven rather than their jail.

[Baloo317]

Agree with the above, crate should be the Best Place On Earth, not a punishment at all. For stealing I would manage that with supervision, limiting access and re-directing to appropriate toys. If a behaviour is not allowed to continue it will extinguish.

Baloo will literally throw himself in the crate as soon as the cue is given, because it's a place where he gets yummy treats and he has nothing but positive associations with it. We've played a lot of "crate games" to secure that positive association (just google "crate games" for lots of 'em).

[maloneandme]

some things that have really helped malone LOVE his crate is that its in our lower level, which is more cool. I've noticed now that we've had warmer weather, he loves to go down there on warm days.
in addition, i think he feels safe there. it's seriously it's little happy cozy safe place! i love love love it!

[lab fan]

Lucy loves her crate at night - when is time for bedtime she runs in waiting for her treat. No complaints...But she has never gone in on her own during the day for a nap. She will sleep everywhere else in the house - under tables, on dog beds, the cold stone floor in the kitchen or washrooms, middle of a room...anywhere!! During the day when I am going out and need to crate her she is happy to go in since she knows she is getting a treat, but it isn't her chosen spot to sleep on her own.

[Spike's Mom]

I stopped doing the time-outs - to be honest - it was too many times so he is starting to go in for a nap. He was never a napper as a puppy so this is new for me and I have to learn but he needs one at this stage in the game and especially he can't go to daycare now because he just gets too hot (4 hours in cooler weather and he came home and literally collapsed). As long as he is out of the crate by 2 (usually 2 hours between 10 & 2 ) bedtime isn't tough. His mental state has improved quite a bit. yeah!