Crate training an older dog

[GwenaelleLaGourmande]

My dog is 6 and in the past has always come on holidays and weekends away with us.

As he suffers from separation anxiety I am looking at several non-kennel options for the trips we have planned this year.

One woman looks great - big garden, walks, dog lives as part of the family - but she occasionally leaves the dogs on their own for a short while. My dog gets destructive when on his own even for half an hour (I do leave him for short periods but make sure he has zero access to cushions, curtains, toys, magazines etc during that time).

I was wondering if a crate would be a solution and if the two months between now and then would be enough time to get him used to it. Just for alone time iyswim.

Is 6yo too old to do this?

No advice on this?

We crate our dog (soft fabric crate) whenever we go away overnight as, for some reason, she pees in the night when we are visiting. Very embarrassing! She had no trouble accepting the crate as we introduced it with her bed in it and left the door open. Never had any difficulties with separation anxiety so cant say if it will help you but just posting as our dog was four and adapted well. Good luck!

Well, this won't be that helpful, but I will be doing similar with an 11 month old. He was crate trained as pup but then went crazy about it and broke the crate, so now he is about to have op I will be trying to get him used to it again. Will put his favourite bed in it and leave door open, attach kongs filled with fave treats via rope to immovable object just outside crate, with kong inside. No point attaching to inside of crate as he will end up pulling the whole lot across floor. Spray with adaptil......chuck in treats at regular intervals.

Thank you. Hadn't thought of adaptil spray. Good idea.