Dutch Shepherd Forum

my neighbors dog, a mix of lab and something, is super sweet, obedient, well, moreso with me than her own family. Listens when she is running around outside. Once you put her in her crate........

she turns into this super aggressive dog. When you put your hand down to close the latches she bites and meanly barks, I mean MEAN!!! If you put your hand in there, she would eat it! Once you open it up and let her out, super sweet.

She is about 1 year or so now. The family does not know anything about training and how to talk to a dog. Like "DOWN" in a stern strong voice so the dog knows your the Alpa. I have seen them put her in the crate and she starts barking fiercly and the dad kneels down and super sweet says " now bella, we dont bark in our cage, shhhhh, please be quiet""

What my question is.. once the dog is this bad in her crate, what do you do? I have said, "QUIET!" but that made her worse. I have told them to ignore and do NOT let her out while she is barking, but they dont listen.

I dont dare mention Ecollar. They have 3 small children who dont really respect the dog in their crate and I can just see one sticking their hand in there or going to let her out and she grabs their hand.

Thanks guys..

I would recommend Susan Garrett's crate games. Its not punishment based and just addresses teaching appropriate alternate behaviors. Personally, I would have food in my hand every time I put the dog in the crate (and depending on the severity, that may be the only time the dog can eat...LOL). Then lots of sits and downs and stays with the door open and closed. With the safety of the bars, the kids can participate in the retraining too!

great! Good idea !!! Im worried for the kids. Ill tell her about this. Thanks!

I second Christie's advice about Crate Games...

Meanwhile, until they do that (notice the positive expectation), they can toss a sheet over the crate when the dog starts barking, and remove it when the dog is quiet.

Obviously, no attention whatsoever (no eye contact, anything) when the dog is going nuts in the crate.

Right, forgot about the sheet over the crate. Thanks.