[Grady Clay]

Mikester,

I too have a recent (1-yr) yellow lab-mix rescue dog (92#).
He is also about three years old and clearly was crate-trained.
He prefers the crate to almost anywhere else in normal use.
I give him incentive ‘treats’ when I leave the house and close the crate.

In our recent (Yellowstone) absence he welcomed his crate at a friend’s house.

A significant part of ‘crating’ is to have this the ‘usual’ situation.
This should be pleasant ‘home’.
I partially cover the crate to make it a ‘cave’.
In slightly warmer weather I have a box fan moving air through the crate.
The crate always has water, even when open.

This lab is very ‘clingy’, probably due to abandonment.
Whenever I am near the crate, he finds ‘home’.
Right now he is competing with ‘Garfield’ (14# cat) for space on my feet.

I hope this helps.

Best,
Grady