Jericho
Well-Known Member
We have a 6 month old JRT bitch who has suddenly seemed to not want to sleep in her crate, preferring to sleep on the rug by the back door (she sleeps in the kitchen at night) or ON the kitchen table !!!! Not sure why she felt the need to do that but needless to say this has been discouraged ....
Nothing has changed about the crate, it seems plenty big enough and she has used it happily to sleep in since she was 8 weeks old from the start. She has never been locked in it or had it used as a punishment. There was one incident where unfortunately my husband did trip over the crate in the middle of night with her in it where it made a big clatter and she ran out but she did seem Ok for a few weeks after where she was still using it and didnt seem reluctant to go in it. Its just in the last few days where she just prefers to sleep else where.
Is the normal? do dogs as they get older feel more secure about not needing a den as such and grow out of them emotionally?
Nothing has changed about the crate, it seems plenty big enough and she has used it happily to sleep in since she was 8 weeks old from the start. She has never been locked in it or had it used as a punishment. There was one incident where unfortunately my husband did trip over the crate in the middle of night with her in it where it made a big clatter and she ran out but she did seem Ok for a few weeks after where she was still using it and didnt seem reluctant to go in it. Its just in the last few days where she just prefers to sleep else where.
Is the normal? do dogs as they get older feel more secure about not needing a den as such and grow out of them emotionally?