My friends just adopted a Pit Bull from the local animal shelter I volunteer at. She is awesome....except:

they bought her a wire crate which has a plastic liner on the bottom. On Mon. morning they put her in it and went to work. At lunch, one of my friends went home to check on the dogs (they have another one) and let them out. She found that the dog had chewed on and ripped in half the plastic liner. The next day they just used and old blanket in there and she chewed on it some but not too bad. What may cause this and how do you correct it? I have had problems with something like this with past dogs and would like to know myself.

Thank you for your question! Bless you for volunteering at the humane society! I hope that our website helps you, and all the good humans who visit us!

I know that this advice is a bit late for your friends, but I hope it will help you in advising others. Choose the airline style kennel for older dogs instead of the open wire style. The reason airlines insist on these kennels is that it is difficult (not impossible) for dogs to destroy or break out.

I have to wonder what preparation your friends did before leaving this dog in the kennel. Ask them to feed this dog in the kennel. This helps the dog feel safe in the kennel. Also ask them to consider a good daycare program to help crate train this dog. If you have not already done so, please listen to out ‘how to choose a dog daycare’ podcast.

It is useful to take a moment to teach this dog to walk into the kennel, wait to come out again, and then to lie down in the kennel. Using the leash to guide this dog into the kennel (run the leash through the side of the kennel so you can hold the handle outside the kennel) teach her to walk in and not walk right back out. This helps this dog to learn that the kennel is not ‘the end of the world’. Use treats to teach her to lie down quietly in the kennel.

Play the ‘kennel dog’ game with this dog. Say ‘kennel dog’ in a light happy tone as you toss a treat in to the kennel. Do the same with favorite toys. Allow the dog to come back out once she has taken the object. Slowly ask her to ‘wait’ before she comes out again.

Unfortunately it is hard to take ‘maternity leave’ to train a new dog! I do realize that your friends have to go to work. Ask them to kennel this dog while they are home and have the time to work with her. Remember that a good dog daycare is really helpful.

Again, thank you for your question and your dedication to helping our four legged friends. I hope this is helpful. Please let us know as you, or your friends need help!