Daisy's story isn't over


Daisy's story has arms. Just so you know, I went through a hard time. After my mom got sick, I became a parent to a teenager. In a nutshell, I was a caregiver and a parent. A new dog was brought home by my sister called Jewels.  After spotting her in a shop, she decided to take her home.  She was a German Shepherd mix.

There were suddenly two dogs in the house: Daisy and Jewels. Daisy had a lot of issues, and so did Jewels.  Due to the size of German Shepards, we got Jewels a big crate.  She wasn't comfortable. Despite walking her, she pissed in the crate a lot. She was kept in a tiny crate by her previous owner.  It was my lack of experience that prevented me from understanding Jewel's needs.

She was also an escape artist. Testing the doors and running away was her thing. As a result, I had to deal with two dogs, a teenager, and a sick parent. The experience was overwhelming. The one dog I had craved attention, while the other ran away. As a result, I donated Jewels to a shelter as well. The girl was petrified. As soon as I put her in my car, she knew something was wrong.

Even though I felt awful, it was the right thing to do. The shelter matches dogs with loving families. My sister didn't care for the dogs, and I had a lot on my plate. Being a pet parent is a big responsibility. When, you're young, everything is doable. Looking back, my sister was trying to fill a void with the dogs.




Helping a trauma dog adjust to being placed in a crate, especially if they have a larger frame size, requires patience, positive reinforcement, and gradual desensitization. Here are steps to help trauma dogs adapt to crate life:

  1. Slowly introduce the crate as a positive space. Place the crate in a quiet area of your home and leave the door open so the dog can explore it at his own pace. Place treats, toys, and familiar bedding inside to make it inviting.
  2. Place treats or toys inside the crate to encourage the dog to enter voluntarily. Offer praise and rewards whenever the dog enters the crate willingly. Gradually increase the amount of time the dog spends in the crate with the door open.
  3. Gradually Close the Door: Once the dog is comfortable entering the crate with the door open, close it for short periods of time. Use treats and verbal praise to reinforce calm behavior. Open the door immediately if the dog shows signs of distress or anxiety.
  4. Slowly increase the dog's crate time with the door closed, starting with just a few minutes and working up to longer periods. Use treats and praise to reward calm behavior while in the crate.
  5. Create Positive Associations: Use the crate for enjoyable activities such as feeding meals or giving special treats. It helps the dog associate the crate with positive experiences and reduces anxiety.
  6. Provide Comfort Items: Place familiar items such as blankets or clothing with your scent inside the crate to provide comfort and reassurance to the dog.
  7. Use Calming Techniques: Play soothing music or use calming pheromone diffusers to reduce anxiety while the dog is in the crate.
  8. Be Patient and Consistent: Crate training takes time and patience, especially for trauma dogs. Be patient with your dog and progress at their own pace. Consistency and positive reinforcement are the keys to success.
  9. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your dog continues to struggle with crate training despite your efforts, consider seeking guidance from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who specializes in working with trauma dogs.

By following these steps and providing a supportive and positive environment, you can help your trauma dog adjust to being placed in a crate. This is even if they have larger frames. Remember to be patient, consistent, and understanding of your dog's individual needs throughout the training process.



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