Chipper preferring crate to bed... Bad Energy! :(

[Pekemom]

One of my dogs began doing the same thing when he hit about 6 months old. I took as a sign that he found his crate to be a positive/good place and wanted to sleep their not to get away from us but because it was "his spot."

I think that because of his training, he respects me and my fiance as his masters. That makes him happy and that is why he chooses his bed or crate over our bed.

[ramanth]

Chipper has no issues. He's the most happy go lucky dog I know. Loves people, including strangers, other dogs, cats, ect. I can set his food in front of him and ask him to wait and he will. I can ask him to get into his crate and he does, no hesitation.

If he wasn't allowed on the bed, I could see your point in manipulation. But he has permission to be on the bed. And for the past year and a half he'd follow us happily into the bedroom at night and curl up into his dog bed or come up onto our bed when invited.

For him to suddenly change his behavior and give the bedroom a wide berth. To look afraid when standing in the doorway, yes, that does cause me to be concerned.