Digging behavior in crate?

by Candy
(Stratford, Connecticut)

I would like to share with you the history of our Boston Terrier female dog that was born on April 6, 2008 to maybe help in giving me some advice.
We got her from a breeder at 5 months old and had her flown in. When we got her she wouldn't come out of her crate and all she did was shiver. She finally got used to me (she is very attached to me -- follows me everywhere, will not stay outside unless I do). If I am not home she will not go near anyone in the family -- husband, daughter 3 and son 10. She will only come around my husband if I am around. When company comes over she is very very reluctant about them, barks at them and her hair stands up on her back. Not aggressive thank goodness.

The breeder told me that she was close with her and would only go to her husband if she was not around. And when fed she would wait and let the other dogs go first and also when the other dogs were playing she would just watch and bark. I even notice still today she stands back till I am done getting her food ready and then when I place the bowl down she will come.

Our problem now is behavior while being in the plastic crate we have which she has always been in a plastic crate since the beginnning. We put her in it at night and when we go out. I am a stay at home mom. She was fine sleeping and going in the crate until the door fell off and I guess got her really frightened. She has always been skidish, reluctant and afraid -- we think maybe she was abused by the breeder somehow but not sure. When we spoke to our vet he thought maybe she was abused and said she would grow out of it and it would take time. She has been with us for a year now.

Now she is very reluctant to go in the crate. We even bought her a bigger plastic one so she would have more space in it and even changed the bedding in it to make it more cushy. When we go out I give her a special treat that she gets only given when we put her in there during the day. At night she scratches the crate which is very loud. We don't yell at her when she does this. We tell her no be quiet. She used to go into the crate during the day and lye in it well not anymore at all.

The pet store recommended giving her Richard's Organics Pet Calm which treats anxiety and stress, which we only give it to her at night. It has helped a little. But she still scratches.
This our 3rd boston. The first one we got at 6 months, second one at 8 weeks and this one at 5 months. And have never experienced at boston to act in this manner. I myself grew up with bostons and they were never like this. Always so friendly never skiddish or nervous or afraid, like she seems to be. When she knows that she is going to go into the crate she shivers and when we come home and let her out of the crate she pants.

Do not know what else to do do you think you can give me some advise I can sure use some?
thanks for listening. thanks