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Yes, I did used to put a treat in prior to leaving. ie: I would get the treat or stuffed kong and walk to the crate and put it in, he would follow me up until he "realized" that he was going in the crate and I was leaving. That's when he would stop and go the other way and hide under the table or go down stairs, etc.

Since I had been re working the kennel training, I had the treat in my hand, I would do basic obedience to the kennel, ie: heel, halt, sit, wait and he would be treated small pieces of the great treat and at the end (near the kennel) I would put the rest of the treat (good size) into the kennel and close the door (not secure it) and he would go in fine, opening the door himself. We then progressed to where you saw the video......he "anticipated" the end result and would run to his kennel so i faded out the games of obedience. This took a while, but I chose to go slow.

No I never used GO before, I only did that when you suggested above that I move him away (looks like I may have misunderstood you here). I used go rather than physically moving him away.


The other thing that is new is the kennel I am using. I used to use the verikennel and although it is big enough it is all closed in. Not sure if that mattered to him or not, as to why he would not go in/balk at going in when I left (he would always go in fine during "normal" crate times when I was home).

When we got the new kennel (all wire), that's when I tried to re train the kennel into something positive and hence I tried the obedience stuff. I only tried putting the treat in ahead of time (but he could see what i was doing) when I tried to advance to the above suggestions. That's when it was de ja vue

Not sure if I am clear in explaining what I mean. I have stopped this. I continue to do it as per my video,he still spins but is also still successful. Not sure why he is stressed out with me putting the treat in before hand. Nothing negative has happened to him in the kennel. I just assumed he doesn't like the idea of going in it when I go out but not using it is not an option (when i go out).

Also, I think I act and sound the same but I can't be positive. It's not out of the question that I may be giving off some tension, expecting him to balk or hide or cower away. I am aware that in most of these cases, it is ME even when I think I am conscious of acting "normal". Who knows??

"So... have you tried this just like normal - with no "go" and with treat in your hand and a treat in the crate? Just an addition to the game - not a change of game? "

Umm, oops, didn't have treat in my hand, just in the crate when I tried it with GO. So I can certainly try "no go", treat in hand, treat in crate and see what happens.

Yes, we have done/do surprise treats in the kennel, he gives a double sniff/look at kennel and gets it.....should I say anything for him going in though (as I had been "good boy" or whatever) or ignore completely. (I have also fed him in his kennel at the very beginning of all this, especially when I got the new kennel).

Ya, not overly concerned since we have some sort of success that involves stress free kenneling before I leave. I am happy with that. Just curious too of the things that make Benson's mind go "hmmmm".