[edrakeley]

...favorite old shirt of mine.? We got this puppy 10 days ago. She is a 3-month old coonhound, so she is fairly big already. I got her at the humane society in NH. She was transported from Indiana, so I don't know if she has a bad association with the crate. I have been home with this dog for 10 days, but I absolutely have to go to the grocery store today. Should I just physically put her in the crate with a peanutbutter and treat filled Kong and go?

[woman14917]

She will learn to love it. You'll need to put her in it for now. Both of my dogs love their crates. The doors are always open and they'll go in there to eat a treat, or to just get some personal space. They sleep in there during the day while I'm at work and it's to the point now that when they smell my perfume, the last thing I do in the morning, they automatically go to their crates, I don’t even have to say anything anymore. This will take some time though. Just make sure that you put your dog in there in a happy very loving playful way. Don’t make it a bad place. You need to feel soooooo happy when you put her in there and she'll pick up on it. Also when you come home, take her outside right away and love on her like crazy once outside. She'll learn that the crate is her safe place and not a punishment.

[SusiQ]

I never crated either of my dogs. I couldn't do it. Some people swear by it. But I'd rather use baby gates. When you leave the house keep your dog confined in a space like the kitchen, pick up any rugs by your sink, or a laundry room, mine is off the kitchen, put his toys and food and water or just water and go out, for a short time, maybe an hour, after that you can increase it. He'll get the idea, he'll realize your coming back. Good luck