Sophie refuses to go into crate

[Bobk]

Sophie is a one year old lab. She refuses to go into her crate during day or at bed time. Better half is home during day, and if she has to leave home and go somewhere it takes a hour or more to trick Sophie into crate. Same thing in evening. Believe that she is gaming us. We took obedience class. However if she knows we are going out she refuses to go into crate which has kings and other toys. I know it's a form of separation anxiety but at a loss to correct problem.

[BigBrownDog]

My Labs don't have a vote on things like this. I'd take her collar and lead her in there. Did you crate train her as a puppy?

[Bobk]

She does not have a vote. She been crated since second day. Brought her home at eight weeks. Problem is catching her to lead her to crate. It's a game for her in that she keeps about two feet from us when we try catch her. Vwe have to corner her to lead her to crate. Any help is greatly appreciated. Vet response is that she is a smart dog

[Tanya]

that is a tad ridiculous (sorry) - seriously, I would never chase a dog for 10 minutes never mind an hour to get them into the crate.

have you ever used treats or a kong? I always throw in treats or a stuffed kong from day 1 with dogs too get them into the crate. I would practice this. for awhile I have to throw the stuff in there BEFORE the dog goes in (so they follow it) but after awhile I get them to go in before I put in the food (but by this time they are usually rushing to the crate when it is time to leave in anticipation for their treat or kong).

NEVER EVER chase her. EVER. you have been playing her game for a year now so it will take some time and patience.

I would also start feeding your girl in the crate (door open).

ETA: this is not separation anxiety - your dog has trained you very well. now it is time to take charge and train her. do not play her game.

[Bobk]

Tried the treats and she has Kongs in crate and on floor. The chasing started by the kids. We chase to get her into Kennel so we can leave. She refuses treats only if she knows we are leaving.

[Spike's Mom]

Spike has never really given us a problem. There were times when we literally had to pick him up from a pancake state to get him walking into his crate but now it's either "Time to go into your bed" (daytime) or "Time to go to bed" (night) . I used to have blankets and a couple of toys in there and he didn't like it. Now it's just bare floor and he gets one treat when he goes in. You can try a specific treat to train her to go in - something that she love, love, loves and only gets when she goes in . Do you have a blanket over the top/3 sides so it feels like a den?

[dweck]

How does she 'know' you're leaving? If you've got an entire process (coat, bags, keys, dog-in-kennel, lights off, out), I would reverse it all. FIRST kennel the dog. THEN go through your leaving-the-house routine. No muss. No fuss. "Kennel up, Babe." Door is shut and latched. You collect your things, grab that travel mug of coffee and waltz out the door. No big goodbyes. No chasing games.

I would also crate her several times during the day but NOT leave. Not go anywhere. Get her to chill there for 10-20 minutes and then release her. Good girl! So the crate doesn't ALWAYS equal your departure. We crate during mealtimes just to enforce good behavior, and it's easy as pie.

And I agree w/feeding her there. Put the entire bowl in the crate @ the normal feeding time and walk away. Give her 10 minutes to acclimate to the new spot for the bowl and eat, and if she doesn't, up it comes 'til the next meal. When she's hungry enough, she'll go in and eat. Keep it all matter-of-fact and straightforward. No drama if she chooses not to: "Oops. Dinner time's over. Sorry. We'll see Mr. Kibble at breakfast tomorrow, sweetie."

Eventually, she's gonna eat.

[BigBrownDog]

Sounds to me like you need to train for her to reliably come to you. The only time my dogs duck for cover is when the ear wash comes out and if I close the crate and any other escape routes before I get it out they usually don't try to avoid me.