to crate or not to crate

[labazsisgoingmad]

i wonder if anyone has experience of the problem we have with our current rescue dog and what is the right way to go
through the rescue I work for we recently have taken on a chihuahua. mickey is approx 22 month old and we are about his fourth owners. the little we know about him he was kept in a cage probably his whole life used for breeding and probably been cruelly treated probably by a male as she is very timid around me including my partner who is goodness hisself to him. the owner of the charity says if anyone can turn this dog around it would be us probably the great success we have had with our other dog who when we had him was really bad.
anyway mickey was brought to us and we thought only fair to start with he had a dog cage to sleep in. no problems with our other dog but it took us 3 days to get him out of the cage at first. in the end it was a case of literally taking him out the cage and despite his struggles taking him to toilet.
if my partner is out he will come out the cage a bit follow the other dog up the garden or explore upstairs but if he sees or hears me or partner if he comes back he will bolt back in the cage. i get that he finds that a safe place but he i dont think will ever improve if he has that to run into.
the other day we had to take him to the vets to check his chip and once we were out the house he snuggled up to me no problem at all but as soon as we came through the front door he was throwing himself off me out my arms to get back to the cage.
today i wanted to prove this my partner brought him to the shop i run for the charity and all afternoon he was as good as gold. watched the cars go by etc he was shivering a little at times but overall good. get through the front door and he struggled to get down ripped my cardigan i had over him as it was raining and couldnt get away fast enough to get in the crate and thats where he is now.
we are going away for a few days soon and could take the cage if that is what is needed. i did buy an igloo basket to make it nice for him but he has never looked at it. do i take the cage away maybe would traumatize him more or is it a case of cruel to be kind. we just cant touch him in the house or even move else he panics and runs in the cage. i just feel while he has that at home especially we will never get anywhere.

[labazsisgoingmad]

anyone help me decide what to do please

[Jouska]

Absolutely let him have his crate for as long as he needs it. Let him run back into it for security.

You can not rush this. You need to go very slowly and let him relax at his own pace. I would not be taking him out and about for a while yet.

Let him spend all day in his crate if he wants to , let him make the choice when he is happy to leave it.

His confidence will grow if you do not rush him.

I would try and not go away but if you have to then absolutely take the crate

[Dontgiveamonkeys1350]

I was going to say the same thing. It will come in time. He will get more and more confident outside. And go in it less.

[RedHelenB]

I'm not keen on crates but it sounds like its his safe space so I would nt make him do without it yet. Patience is a virtue as they say.