My dog likes the cage!

[Melissa B]

Recently(started about a week ago), my little female chi has been making mistakes everywhere, its almost as though she has gone backwards on the training. So I went into my storage and picked up my dog cage(kennel, crate, dunno what to call it lol).
When I go to sleep or when I step out and am not able to watch her, I put her in the dog cage(Its huge, made for a large breed dog, got it when I used to foster). When I am home, I allow her to run around the house freely, because I am able to watch her and stop her when she is making mistakes.
Well, ever since I've had the crate up, when it is open, my male goes inside it and sleeps on the quilt that is in there! I never had to use the crate method with him. He caught on to the wee wee pads immediately after bringing him home from the shelter. He was a puppy, about 6 months when I got him, this was about 2 years ago.
I'm wondering if this is a security thing for him, or if it has anything to do with memories of him being in the shelter. Another thought that came across my mind was that maybe he doesnt like it when she is in there at night and he isnt. What do you guys think?

[Kristi]

That is a good questions. It might be a security thing for him. My dog likes it when i close him in his bedroom at night everything dark and quit. or...it could be he doesn't like her too much being in there and not him...he might start making "mistakes" like her..you never know.

[Nancy]

Dogs like the crate, it is their den. Dogs like people need a place to go to in order to be alone
Nancy

[LakotaWoman]

No, dogs have an instinctual need to den. If trained properly or if allowed to explore on their own, they will adapt nicely to a kennel.

[Belles]

All but one of my dogs is crate trained. It keeps them safe if they are pups and you need to step out briefly and it keeps them safe and secure at night. I would be lost without my kennel!

[Melissa B]

lol, I'm just hoping my dog doesnt get used to it, I'm only wanting to use it for training purposes.. Once I see that my little girl catches on I'm going to take the crate back down. I may consider buying a small one for them to call "home" but this one is just too big.. Like I said, it was used on a pit bull that I fostered a few years back. Its an extra large! lol... Thing is just too big for an apartment lol. Hrm... Maybe I'll build something myself for them.. Well, we'll see lol.