How do I crate train my dog when he isn't interested in food?

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ktgayle18

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I adopted an 8 month old boxer from the shelter today. He doesn't seem to be interested in anything... toys, food, ANYTHING! I think this is just because he was neutered 2 days ago and he is adjusting to this new living environment. I just do not know what to do with him when I go to bed if he wont go into the crate on his own terms.
He will not eat treats either!
I do not want to create a bad experience for him. At this point shoving him in the crate closing the door and throwing some treats in is not rewarding him because he doesn't want the treats!
When we first got to my house today I walked him around and then we went in the living room and I gave him a kong with pb. he LOVED it! And I tried to let him smell it and get tastes and then put it in the crate but he will not cross the threshold of the door. I am currently trying cheese which he loves but again hell get close but will not cross the threshold
 
if you cannot stand the idea of dog possibly roaming through your flat at night, you probably should better NOT have a dog.

now give the dog a time to adjust.
monitor it. when it lays down to rest, go to it, say "get up, PLACE" and guide it to the crate.

be consistent, and do NOT lock it in the crate.

that way, even if the dog is neutral towards treats and whatnots, it will be "rewarded" by being left to rest in peace, in the desired place.
 
Have you tried treats like cereal, cheese, or hot dogs? The way I crate trained my dogs were by getting them in the crate and then letting them out we would do this in ten min. increments all through out the day then the next day we would stay in the cage longer and so on and so on until they were happy to go in by them self. Or if you have a room that you feel comfortable blocking them in at night that might help to just remember to put the crate in the same room with them and please remember to never use the crate for punishment that will only make them hate it even more. Thank you for rescuing a dog from the shelter we need more people like you. Just be patient and give him time to come around.
 
Congrats on adopting a sheltered animal. It takes a couple of days for your new dog to adjust, so he may not want to eat during that time. During that time you may want to let him sniff around and get used to the place.
 
Nothing should be on the dogs' terms. It should be on yours! Sounds mean, but be firm and push him into the crate not saying a word and then throw some treats in even if he doesn't eat them.

It will not be a bad experience. It's called teaching him who's leader. "you do as I say"
Unless he's shaking and foaming at the mouth, he'll be fine. If he's just being stubborn, take action and put him in there. Then let him out 30 seconds later, then put him in again. Repeat that every day so he'll know it's not punishment and it's not a big deal.
 
If he's not treat motivated, is he toy motivated? Most dogs enjoy squeaky toys, maybe get him excited with that? That's what I used in training classes with my dog. Squeak the toy and get the dogs attention, then when he comes toss the toy in the crate?

Or maybe you could try peanut butter in a Kong? They make squeaky Kongs now too which are more durable.
 
throwing the teats into just creates a bad habit of littering. the dog will eventually litter food on ground, be it at home, or outside.
be gentle, but firm, and send it into the crate for the rest periods.
 
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