Got a crate for my doggie.. how do i get him to LOVE his crate

[jonomo]

Hello,
I've had Hobbes for over a year now.. No real problems, other than he'll go to the bathroom on the kitchen floor when not properly supervised.. (I can't seem to get him to stop that).. but this happens rarely...

I got him a crate/cage big enough for him to be comfortable in... put some nice cushions inside.. but I can't get him to go inside it on his own.. when I put him in there, he seems happy enough.. I give him treats and toys in the cage.. I've locked him in there for about 10 minutes and he seems content.. but how do I get him to LOVE his cage? He never retreats or sleeps in there.. he always just sleeps on the sofa or under our bed.. Should I just lock him in there overnight or something? Maybe keep him locked in there for longer periods?

J~

[Paul and Amy]

This is what I did for Tank and it seemed to work. When I went to bed, I always cornered him off (let's say about 2 meters by 2 meters) with a fence, left his crate (now a house), and food and water in that corner. I did not leave any other cushions or anything soft in his corner. Tank likes soft things (maybe your dog likes hard floors better?) so he started to sleep in his crate. He now takes ALL of his toys and treats into his crate when he goes to sleep. lol. Also, I would continue to leave treats in his house. Also, when he isn't playing with the toys, leave them in his house. I think it'll just take time. :)

[Ryan]

if you search on this site a little, I have posted a lot about this topic, with many good websites. :)

[fadedgirl]

I bought Lola a crate too. I thought she wouldn't like it because she always sleeps on my bed.
I started putting her in for 10 minutes at a time, then 30, then eventually an hour. But usually I send her in with a treat, and just ignore her for a little bit. THen I let her out and give her loads of praise.
That's how it worked for me.

[annie]

Oh, is there a cover on top of the crate? Like a blanket or curtains? It usually helps them seeing the crate positively (as their own safe spot).
Might be worth trying...