We have a wonderful dog who has been a part of the family for over 10 years (she's about 13years old). We rescued her from the dog pound, and she was a beautifully trained dog in every way. She has always loved her crate - if I simply pick up the car keys or she saw us putting on our coats, she would go to her crate. She often goes in there voluntarily at various times during the day.

We do not leave her for hours at a time on any regular basis - I work 2 days per week but the other 5 days we're mostly home except for trips to the grocery store, taking the kids to activities, etc. So she is not left in the crate for long hours except occasionally.

Lately (the last 2 weeks or so), even if she is left for a short time (even an hour), she has started doing something with the crate door (either pushing w/ her nose or pulling on it somehow? we haven't actually seen her do it), and causing the door to get jammed into the opening. It's as if she is struggling to get out. And when we try to get the crate door open, she is whining - something she has never done in 10 years. When we're home she still does go in her crate voluntarily.

Any ideas why she might be behaving this way all of a sudden?

Thanks for any input you may have.

I can think of a couple possibilities based on your dog's age.

Your dog may be showing signs of arthritis, feels cramped and stiff and needs to move around. Also with your dogs advanced age, may need to relieve himself more often.

If your dog has not had blood work done in a while, it would be a good idea. As dogs age they suffer from many of the same ailments as people. Many times medication and a diet change, when a condition is caught early, can give a dog several good years of life.

If it's possible, leave the crate door open and see what happens.