Jumping and Barking while Latching Pen

[FizzGiggs_Mommy]

I have just recently moved to where I can put my dogs outside in a kennel during the nice days they come in at night and stay in during the hot days to be in the air. The kennel is chain link and is 8x13 in size. The problem is when I put them in the kennel and go to latch the gate my Boxer Max goes absolutly bizark barking and jumping like he wants to bite my head off (He has never bitten a sole) I turn my back and ignor him until he stops then I go back to latching the gate at first this worked now he just barks and jumps at me while I latch the gate non stop I am scared he is going to hurt himself or maybe me. What can I do to make him stop this jumping and barking while I am latching the gate????????

[lv4dogs]

If it is a serious bite you growl (which is what it seemed to be to me) I would seek the help from a behavorist.

This is a toughie without being able to actually see how he reacts & w/out much knowledge on the dog itself.

Has he been doing this since the very first time he was in the kennel?
Has he ever been fenced in before?
How long have you had him for?
How old is he?
Has anything ever happened while he was confined before?
Does he have seperation anxiety?
Has he ever had any other behavioral issues before?
Does he act beszerk in there when you walk away or when he can't see you?


Maybe you could give him a kong or another toy or treat thet he fanicies that will keep him occupied for a few minutes when you first put him in there. It should help distract him for you to latch the gate.
But I would really look into this further then just the cover it up w/ a treat trick if he is in fact acting aggressivly towards you.

[heinz57_79]

He may be slightly kennel shy. Charlie was crate trained since he was a puppy, but he still grew up kennel shy. When we take him to the groomers he has to be done straight thru, so he doesn't get kenneled. Sweetest dog in the world normally, he'll act like he wants to take your head off if you try to shut the door in his face. What I had to with him when I was grooming him myself was distract him with a cookie while I closed the kennel door. By the time he had eaten the cookie the door was already shut and he just kinda looked around going, "Wait... I missed something...Oh well... never mind." We've talked to behavioralists, but nothing helped with Charlie. But this might be a temporary solution until you can talk to someone. Good luck!