My dog went in the crate by himself?

Question

i started crate training him 2 weeks ago

does this mean he's staring to like it? I'm on my bed with my laptop and before even jumping on my bed, he went to his crate. I was wondering if this is a good sign?

Answer 1

Very good sign. He has accepted his crate as his den. I was frantically running around trying to find my 8 wks old puppy one night and actually fount him laying in his crate.  

Answer 2

Sounds like it :) They usually come to LOVE their crates. My dog is three and naps in hers daily on her own accord.  

Answer 3

yes its g ood sign. keep up with the training

Answer 4

HE IS TRAINED GOOD

HE KNOW HIS LIMITS

HE IS A MENCH

Answer 5

Yes it is. Praise him for it. But not too much he will think that it's an excuse to stray away from the crate. That means he's used to his crate now and is enjoying his crate, as well as learning the routine of things in your day to day stuff. When I get ready to leave my house as I grab my keys, my dog is already in the crate. I don't even have to tell him to go in the crate. I think its pretty cool he does that. Eventually your dog will learn

your habits so you won't even have to tell him to go in at some point. Two weeks and your dog is already doing that? That is great!! Most dogs take up to a month to two months to get to that point in crate training.  

Answer 6

Definitely a great thing!  We use word commands (not aggressively), but none-the-less he now knows when we say bedtime, or go to bed, he happily goes to his area.  Isn't wonderful! lol I’m hoping my children will respond the same way... lol  =)

Answer 7

That is a very good sign. He knows that is his space and he feels comfortable there. Yay!!

Answer 8

Yes this is a very good sign.  He is starting to think of it as his den and his safe haven.

Answer 9

Great sign and keep up the good work.

Answer 10

Its a great sign. Both my dogs are crate trained and would go in their crates on their own, Never ever use the crate as punishment, the dog should always see it as a pleasant experience.  

Answer 11

Yes, he is probably getting into routine and knows this is his safe place or sleep place. If you usually put him there when you go to bed he could be used to doing this and just do it himself. Quick learner! :)

Answer 12

I have found my dog to do the same thing when I first got her.  She recognized that as like her 'security blanket.'  She did not have anywhere else in the house she felt at ease and found the crate to be most comforting to her.

Answer 13

Yes, it is his bedroom - a safe haven.  Our German Shorthair almost always slept in her kennel eventhough we left the door open almost all the time.

Answer 14

Its a very good sign. It shows that he thinks of his crate as his bed and likes it. You're doing a good job, keep it up.

Answer 15

yeah its good. its similar to a human and their bedroom. they like their bedroom and go their when they want to be alone or feel safe. that is a very good sign.

Answer 16

A VERY good sign.  A dog should enjoy his crate and like it as a place to sleep.

Watch out though for letting your dog see his crate as a "safe place" since that makes the house less safe.  You should be his "safe place".  Near you.  Otherwise, the house as a whole should be safe.  

Congrats though.  :)  Pat yourself on the back, you have done a good job in helping him to see his crate not as a cage but as a pleasant spot.

Answer 17

We call the Crate my Female Border Collies Happy Place. It it gets hectic around the house thats where you find her.

Answer 18

It sure does!  Dogs are den animals and he is seeing his crate as his den.  I had a Min Pin that would go in her crate all by herself.  The first time she did it, I didn't know where she was.  I started to panic because I couldn't find her.  I was calling her and calling her - then she popped her head out of her crate.  Needless to say, I was relieved!

Anyway, good job!

Answer 19

That's a great sign.  Most dogs will come to see their crate as their own space since they are actually den animals.  Mine will usually put himself in his crate if he wants a nap during the day - he loves his crate!

Answer 20

yeah, its a good sign. unless u arn't there and u come back and he walks in the crate-that probs mean he did somethin he isnt supose to =D. otherwise he just knows he has to go in his cage. like my dog - she has to go in her cage when we eat- and now when i bring my food in she just walks in her cage. so...yeah its a good sign.

Answer 21

Yes!  Praise him, give him a treat, let him know this is a positive step and congratulations!  You guys are heading in the right direction.