Last week we talked about how a well-appointed crate can be a boon to a pet family. Unfortunately, there are situations in which a crate can breed panic instead.  Some dogs come packaged with a conditioned emotional response to crates – panic and hyperactivity. 

Puppy Mill dogs or dogs raised in otherwise neglectful or abusive situations spend long days and nights in small wire boxes with no opportunity to relieve themselves outdoors or socialize with others. These dogs learn repetitive behaviors like barking, pacing, panting or digging. They can’t differentiate easily between food and feces because they spend their days and nights running around in both. Other dogs are literally thrown into a crate every time someone gets upset. For dogs in these abusive situations the crate can become a symbol of fear, pain and suffering. They will literally panic when placed in even a well-appointed crate, because of the abuses they have suffered at the hands of people who are not well. 

People with more compassionate souls will sometimes be tasked with the responsibility of undoing these wrongs. And oftentimes they can slowly be undone. More often, though, these dogs will prefer a more open form of confinement. Maybe a room with a door closed, or a baby gate across a doorway will be sufficient. Sometimes a room divided by an exercise pen will be spacious enough.  Some dogs are so damaged that they panic if left alone in any confinement situation, even if they are given the entire house. That’s a topic for another day.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the senior behavior/training specialist at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA for help with crate training and other pet behavior topics.

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