Breaking out of Crate

[kchesney8]

Ok, so my huskies are crate trained.  When we leave the house they go in their crates.  My oldest is 9 youngest is 6.  I work from home and only leave then for 4 hours max.  The last 2 weeks anytime I have left, 3x's my oldest Tuff has busted out of his crate.  He broke one, and I had to order a new one.  I don't know why at 9yo he has decided to break out.  I had to get a carabiner to hold his crate door closed when we leave.  When he gets out he poops and pees all over the house.  Anyone have a crate trained dog that all of the sudden has decided he doesn't want to be in there? 

Advice, suggestions??

 

[Andy]

When we were first crate training ours they used to break out. So we used ZIP ties (cable ties in the UK) on all corners and sides.

All I can think of why Tuff may be doing this is he's getting older and maybe can't hold his bladder and poop and so is breaking out

so he doesn't foul his crate. Then he gets out and can't get out to the garden to relieves himself inside and leaves you some presents.

[Maz51]

Sounds very like Andy has a point.  When at home take note how often he goes outside.

Is he *intact or ^neutered?

If the former* get his prostate checked as this is quite common in older dogs; as is a higher risk of prostate cancer.

If the latter^ then check frequency - he may have a bladder infection. 

Kefir with cranberry juice for a week 2tblspn K (start with one for three days with Cranberry J ½ cup incr to two of K. 

I give mine K daily and once a month add Cranberry J instead of water to their kibble & semi raw feed - for three days. Twice a week they get raw egg plus crushed in egg shells (extra calcium) 1 tspn ACV (for their immune system. 

Another reason may be anxiety - or separation anxiety IF other factors (ie, * or  ^ are relevant).

Also, IF you feed them within a hour of you going out for four hours, this may through older age also be a cause if his bowels/bladder fill up faster, through anxiety/adrenaline / as he knows you're leaving.

A refresher in SA - this has worked on all my three but tbh Blu wasn't very bad having company with my two, once they all settled in.  

My timeline (album/videos) has a subject on SA & how I dealt with this on all my three - to be fair my new boy Blu was pretty chilled - but he will grab loose books, papers to shred given half a chance, but so will my girl or Chester. 😉

This breed is a companion, more than just a pet-@-home. So, here goes ...

SA prevention/Removing SA 'exercise': When you can take them with you, do so. Let them see you from the car, (not in temps over 10°C because it rises +6°C inside a car) with you going in, & out of shops. Observe casually behind sunglasses, but also from inside th'e shops, not looking directly at them.       There should be enough 'distractions' going on around too which gets their focus off you, especially if you've parked in the high street, but where they're not out-of-sight. I never leave my vehicle 'o-o-s' with them in although my 'camper' van now, can hide them, when they're in their crates, from outside peeking. The purpose is, they see you in and 'out of sight' for brief periods, but you gradually increase these periods. This is not a one-off exercise, but will be several, over & in a few times in a few weeks. If they start getting restless or behind to howl/show distress, 'magically' appear, and walk relaxed towards the car, and around it as if checking vehicle. Before opening any doors/rear hatches, get them to 'Sit!' with words of praise when they do; REWARD. Check they are still secured inside (as per UK 2014 HIGHWAY CODE UK for transporting pets/animals in cars). Ensure they learn & follow in 'Sit/Wait' mode while you unclip from inside . Gather all leads securely /clip on to your canibelt (●very advisable to have, to prevent ever dropping leads if they make a sudden dash out, or anywhere). Beware of close moving traffic if on high street/motorised area where you are parked & ensure they cannot put a 'butt' out into the traffic or move into that pathway. Check traffic and then 'OK' to let them exit. I cannot stress how important it is that, when you go to get them out of the car, (anywhere) for a walk, teach them 'Wait' .. to stop & sit while you detach from seat belt hook up strap, and gather up leads. It IS safer to wear a canibelt with hookup on a locking swivel carabiner; hands are free but still able to grab lead/s to bring in close. Then go to Costa/Starbucks, or any dog friendly establishment, sit outside; this is good for socialising and exposing to much more, than just being at home. Meet & Greet folk. Desensitise to other dogs - distract them with 'here' & treat/reward. This is great for all training (including working on recall) and 'Down!' - may save their life... Use & say 'watch me' with fingers up to your eyes, and reward when they turn to look AT your eyes and refocus on you. 🤗 Repetition ++++ It takes 30 reps to sink an instruction in. Then more to create (hopefully) a reflex muscle action ... but never stop. It's harder to break a bad /slack habit than to make one.

Successdogs

Absolutedogs

Outback Dog Training Pages

When I can physically manage & I put time aside, I repeat this process every so often.  In the month. Getting them to meet and greet folk plus training to not be dog aggressive also helps.

My girl wears a yellow marked bandana with "I Am Dog Aggressive Please Keep Your Distance"  AND a lead slide on with "In Training".     🤗