Alone in Crate

by Angie
(central Washington state)

Lakyn is about a 3 year old Great Pyrenees rescue. When we first got her she was very clingy to us, and followed us around the house. Now we have had her about 4 months and she has learned all of the rules and is doing well. She is is more obedient, and really a good dog. When we first got her we would crate her when we were both gone. She didn't like it at first but eventually didn't fight it and would go in willingly for a treat. We would never leave her for more than 1 1/2 hours. The crate is in a different room because it is x-large and didn't fit in the other rooms.
Now about 4 months later, she will go into the other room into her crate on her own. When we are in the family room she will sneak into her crate and spend hours in there. I notice she is missing and when I find her in her crate she is laying there, her eyes are open and she won't come out unless coaxed.
We used to put her in the bedroom at night when we slept and close the bedroom door, she slept good and was quiet. Now we leave the bedroom door open, and she starts out sleeping in our room but will leave and go into her crate later in the night.

She still eats and likes to go to the dog park and for walks. But I am wondering if she is depressed? I am wondering if she needs a playmate. She is currently our only pet. Also, I thought having a dog would be good company, but when she spends so much time in another room, its not much company. Should I close the crate door so she cannot go in and see what happens?

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Nov 02, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Crate
by: Donna

This is a safe space for dogs. They come to feel very comfortable in a crate to get away from it all. That's okay. It's still relatively early days for her being with you. It's okay that she wants to sleep in there.

I suspect you don't know her history so who knows what happened with her in her former home.

Make sure to work with her, have a trainer come in to show you how to work with her so you have some good bonding time. That is what training is really about. She learns to trust you and you her. You get to know what she wants and she gets to know what you want.

Take her on lots of hikes and walks, let her sniff and do what she wants to do because it is her walk : ) Get her engaged.

Is she afraid of anyone in your house? Has anyone yelled at her (I'm just asking but I suspect not)?
She may be a bit depressed. Is your house noisy?
So many things. Is everyone respectful of her (Again, just asking. I suspect you are. You sound like a good dog guardian.)

Or, she just simply needs time to herself.

Take her to the vet for a general checkup to make sure all is okay in the health department.
Nov 02, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		thank you
by: Anonymous

I am the poster. Thanks for your reply. To answer some of your questions - Correct I don't know her history. It is just me and my husband in the house, we are pretty low key, its a calm household. She has bonded to both of us and gets lots of love and respect from both of us. She is happy when we are out for our walks and engaging. She gets to spend time at the dog park everyday and enjoys her playtime with the other dogs. She does not seem to have any hangups, she loves everyone and everyone that meets her wants to pet her which she likes. I was thinking maybe she did not like the noise from the tv, but that does not explain why at night she also likes to retreat to her crate.

If one of us is upstairs and one is downstairs she often positions herself to be an equal distance between us, so she can keep track of where we are. She naps when she is in the same room as us also. She reminds us of her meal times and lets us know when she needs to go outside. This is the only unusual behavior she has.

She seems to like being alone now more that she is more relaxed and feels like she has a permanent home.


Nov 03, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Crate time
by: Donna

I wouldn't worry, then. She is getting lots of love and outings with you. She just likes her crate and feels safe there at night. Many dogs are like that.
Nov 03, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		crate
by: Anonymous

Have had Pyrenees before and have a 7 month old great Pyr and Anatolian now. He is loving and sweet and loves his st. Bernard brother but is very independent as is my st.. All of my dogs 15 to be exact have LOVED their crates and would often go into them when I was home. These dogs r bred to watch over flocks and spend hours alone. So no fear I thin your dog is fine. Rescued a great Pyrenees that was 3. It took a solid year for him to wag his tail when I came home. He missed his previous owner that much, very sensitive dogs. I would say time for yours and tons of love and little by little he may spend less time in crate and more with u. Dog's are able to miss even abusive owners due to their intense loyalty.
Nov 03, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Too much crate time?
by: Nadine

I am a great believer in multiple dogs. I currently have 4, 3 Great Pyrenees and 1 very large, very old Golden. All are girls and get along very well together.....as in race around the back yard, sleep and sit on each other. Because they lay together most times when not on the run, mine would not fit together in a crate, so I have never used a crate. I find that having 2 dogs or 4 or 6 dogs works really well, as they like to pair up for their play. If I think there might be territorial issues with adopting another Great Pyr, I add a young or older puppy to the group.

I would suggest you adopt another dog around the same age as your Pyr or younger, and of course I would suggest another Pyr as they are companionable to each other. Lots of toys for both to play with, and lots of hugs and face strokes from both of you. I think your dog will be much happier then.

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