According to American Humane, dogs are natural den animals – so they should naturally take to their crate, right? There are several reasons why dogs may try to escape their crate, and none of them are particularly easy for pet parents. If your dog escapes crate, getting to the root of the issue means first determining what is driving your dog to try to escape in the first place.
Why Dogs Try To Escape Their Crate
There are several reasons why a dog may try to escape their crate. Some of the most common include:
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Separation anxiety – Separation anxiety is one of the most common reasons why a dog may try to escape his or her crate. According to RSPCA UK, as many as 8 out of every 10 dogs experience some level of stress when separated from their families, but not all of these experience this stress to such an extreme degree. Dogs with separation anxiety have a visceral reaction when left alone, and this can quickly lead to destructive or dangerous behaviors.
Crating a dog with separation anxiety creates something of catch 22 situation. First and foremost, pet parents crate their dogs to provide safety and comfort to their dogs when they need to be left alone. Being natural den animals, dogs feel more secure when in their own small cozy space. Pet parents also crate their dogs with separation anxiety so they’re not tempted to engage in destructive behaviors when left alone.
When these dogs learn how to escape their crate, not only do they put themselves at risk breaking out of their crate, but they’re also more likely to engage in risky behaviors when left home alone with a now newfound full range of the home. The anxieties they feel cause them to act out in order to alleviate feelings of stress, but these same actions may lead to additional stress for them (and pet parents) in the long run.
- Desire to be closer to family – If your dog tries to escape their crate while you’re home, it may be due to a deep desire to be closer to you. This isn’t always synonymous with separation anxiety, as these dogs may not try the same escape tactics when you’re not in the home with them. Dogs that are calm when left alone, but try to escape when they can hear, see, or smell your presence, may be dealing with a deep-seated desire to remain close.
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Discomfort – Discomfort is another reason why your dog may try to escape their crate. If your dog escapes crate but they don’t show signs of separation anxiety, they don’t show signs of a desire to be close, and nothing else seems amiss, they may be uncomfortable in their crate den space. The crate may be too small for them, they may need a comfortable crate pad, or they may need a higher quality crate to keep them cozy and secure.
To alleviate this, or get to the bottom of the issue, measure your dog to make sure their crate is the correct size. While standing, measure from the bottom of their paws to the top of their head. After this, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Add 2 to 3 inches to both of these measurements and you have their ideal crate size. A dog should be able to walk into their crate, turn around, and lay down comfortably.
If the crate is the correct size, you may need to invest in a higher quality crate, invest in a crate pad, or add in some creature comforts to keep your dog feeling more comfortable.
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Boredom – Just like people, dogs do get bored from time to time. When a dog goes under stimulated both mentally and physically, they may not understand what to do with the pent-up energy they’re feeling – especially when they’re cooped up in a crate. They won’t feel like relaxing, they won’t feel like taking a nap, they’ll want to break free, play, and burn off the energy and frustration they’re feeling.
If you suspect boredom may be at the core of your dog’s escape attempts, the solution is fairly simple. Before your dog goes into their crate, taking them for a walk where they’re able to exercise and sniff, playing a game with your dog, or giving your dog an interactive puzzle toy to enjoy can all potentially put a stop to boredom driven escape attempts. Younger dogs are more likely to try to escape their crate out of boredom than older dogs, but energetic and particularly intelligent older dogs may get into the habit as well.
The Dangers Of Escape
Escaping from the crate isn’t just a nuisance for pet parents; it can be a dangerous habit for several reasons. The destructive habits necessary to break free from a crate may lead to dogs scratching, biting, and ingesting dangerous materials. Once they get out of the crate, what they do after can be risky as well.
Dogs with separation anxiety may escape the crate, then go on to try to escape the home. The feelings of panic and stress they felt while inside of the crate don’t go away once they break free and realize their family isn’t around, so they’ll continue these destructive behaviors in an attempt to alleviate this intense stress. The dog may claw and chew at doors, windows, doorframes, furniture, and materials around the home. This could lead to your dog escaping the home altogether and getting lost outside or ingesting harmful or particularly dangerous materials around the home.
Bored dogs may partake in similar behaviors as dogs with separation anxiety. A bored dog is a curious dog, and a curious dog will do whatever they can to interact with their environment. While they may not ingest or destroy your property out of stress, they may simply do so to burn off excess energy, interact with their world around them, or discover something new.
What You Can Do To Stop The Escape
Any dog can develop anxieties, any dog can get bored, and any dog may grow uncomfortable in their crate space. So, what can pet parents do to avoid dog escapes crate behaviors? A few ideas include:
- Resize their crate – For dogs who are uncomfortable, or suspected to be uncomfortable, in their crate, resizing and investing in a new crate may be most beneficial. Make sure you have your dog’s measurements correct, and seek out a crate that better suits their size needs. Additionally, investing in a crate pad, including crate blanket, or allowing safe crate toys may help alleviate discomforts.
- Take a trip to the vet – If your suspect your dog may be uncomfortable in their crate, a trip to see their veterinarian may be in order. Your dog may be telling you something in their escape attempts, and the problem could be fixed with solutions like medication, physical therapy, or a safe exercise plan.
- Invest in a secure crate – Whether it’s separation anxiety, boredom, a desire to be close, or discomfort, investing in a secure crate is just the solution you’re after. An escape-proof crate gives pet parents peace of mind that they can keep their dogs safe and secure while at home or on the go.
A Separation Anxiety Crate isn’t just for dogs with separation anxiety. These are built for dogs who tend to escape, or try to escape, for any reason. An internally welded aluminum frame provides strength and durability against even the most determined escape artists. Anxiety focused ventilation holes keep a cozy and secure environment that remains breathable but safe. The upgraded door latch ensures even the smartest dogs won’t be able to unlatch their crate. A chew-proof door with a chew guard not only keeps the crate secure but protects your dog against the dangers of excessive chewing or scratching.
When investing in a secure crate, make sure to opt for the correct size to ensure the new crate will serve as a comfortable and safe space for your dog.
Crate Training For Success
While some dogs with separation anxiety may be prone to trying to escape no matter what, effective crate training can do wonders for making sure escape artist pups look at their crates as their safe space.
When starting out your crate training, it’s important to start slowly. Introduce the open crate to your dog in an open, comfortable, and neutral space in your home, allowing them to naturally acclimate to the presence of the crate. Once your dog is used to the crate in the home, you can begin giving food or treats in the crate, which starts to build the positive association with entering the crate you’re looking for.
After your dog has grown comfortable going inside of their crate, you can then start to see how your dog does with the door closed. Staying in the room with your dog, let your dog into their crate, close the door, and give them about 1 minute to get used to spending closed-door time inside. As your dog gets more comfortable, work your way up to 15 minutes.
Once your dog is comfortable with closed door crate time, you can follow the same process but with you outside of the room. This builds confidence in your dog that they can remain comfortable and relaxed spending time in their crate alone.
The right crate can stand up to even the most determined dogs, and getting to the bottom of their escape attempts can make you both more confident and more secure together.