Amanda Joy
Member
I loved bullies when bullies weren't cool!
Posts: 95
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Post by Amanda Joy on Feb 19, 2011 14:37:45 GMT -5
Buddy is 15 months old. Until recently when we leave the house, he has free range. For the first few months we didnt have any problems with him destroying stuff regardless of how long we were away. Now when we leave the house, he eats everything! Baby dolls, cars, carpets shoes, electrical cords, and my daughter's toys that have batteries in them.
I was scared to death to leave him because it didnt matter how well we hid stuff, he was going to eat someting. Kind of like he was mad that we left him.
So for his own safety (not to mention the financial aspect of replacing everything multiple times) we bought a crate for inside. Got it home set it up and he will NOT get in it. He lays there an looks but as soon as I try to get him it, he hides. I tried treats in the back of it, didnt work. I tried sticking his leash in thru a hole in hopes that I could pull him into it, yet another fail. I dont want to scare him and make him develop anxiety about the crate.
Can anyone give me some advice on the best way to go about crate training. I dont want to traumatize him but I dont want him to hurt himself severly by eating something. Thanks everyone!
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Post by michele5611 on Feb 19, 2011 15:08:40 GMT -5
The important thing is to make sure he doesn't view the crate as a punishment. When you put food in there is he interested at all? Does he go get the treats and come right out? Or does he not even step paws in it?
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Amanda Joy
Member
I loved bullies when bullies weren't cool!
Posts: 95
|
Post by Amanda Joy on Feb 19, 2011 16:24:36 GMT -5
He wont even put his paws in it. He stands right at the door and stretches to get the treats. I figured that however I introduce him to it was going to predict the outcome of this whole crate thing. If I have to shove him into it everytime I leave and listen to him whine, its going to kill me.
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Post by marc on Feb 19, 2011 16:27:02 GMT -5
to get Jackie to go in the crate, we'd just put some high value treats in there and she'd go in when no one was around, and get them. after a while she thought they automagically appeared there.
now with some special treats, we tell her crate and she goes in and waits for a treat.
PS... doesn't mean that at times it still isnt hard to get her in there when we leave...
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 19, 2011 17:48:19 GMT -5
What type of crate is it a metal fold one or they plastic type with top and bottom?
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Post by wannabeowner on Feb 19, 2011 18:19:34 GMT -5
My dog was TERRIFIED of the open metal type crate, but with the plastic "airline-approved" crate (and a name change to calling it "den") and my pup will go in for some carrots or a chewy treat. Give it time and whatever you do, don't force him in before he's ready. I think it took me a good weekend of put your nose in, get a treat, put your paw in, get 2, put 2 paws, get 3, etc.
Good luck!
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 19, 2011 18:23:51 GMT -5
why I am asking about what type because I have a good plan for the Plastic with top and bottom but wont bother to type it out if you don't have one or are not planning on getting one.
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Amanda Joy
Member
I loved bullies when bullies weren't cool!
Posts: 95
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Post by Amanda Joy on Feb 19, 2011 18:30:58 GMT -5
We bought a plastic one with metal door, little metal vents on the side and and plastic holes on the back.
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 19, 2011 18:57:33 GMT -5
Perfect. This will take time not over night.
Take top off and put it inside bottom. Put her dog bed in there. Reward her for it. After time of this. I had a dog that did this for about 2 weeks.
Once she is comfortable using as her bed put top on all the way back so it is only on a few inches. Find something to prop it so it does not fall and scare her. Reward her. Each day I moved it up a tiny bit until it was all the way on. This probably took another week or more. once good with that put the door on. reward big time. Closed door while home and reward for staying quiet for short time. Then started going just to bus stop to get kids gone no more than 15 min.
I did this with a fearful doberman. very fearful with anxiety. This was her bed at night that I put in the crate and she slept there each night. She was petrified of the crate but was successful by using this method.
If she is going to be in the crate for a while you should keep a few kongs stuffed in freezer. Frozen keeps them busy longer. If someone can stop by the house to let her out and give new kong even better.
Hope you are able to understand what I mean. with the crate lid and slowly putting it on and moving it up.
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Amanda Joy
Member
I loved bullies when bullies weren't cool!
Posts: 95
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Post by Amanda Joy on Feb 19, 2011 19:08:51 GMT -5
Awesome. I am about to take it apart now. I am a stay at home mom so I am rarely gone more than 30 minutes.
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 19, 2011 19:15:30 GMT -5
Good, I am too which is why I was able to do it. That will help and then when you need to go on a school trip or something you can leave her in the crate. Work on finding someone to stop by and walk her and crate up with fresh kong. That will help if you need to be gone for a few hours. This way you will be ready and comfortable while away. Good Luck.
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Amanda Joy
Member
I loved bullies when bullies weren't cool!
Posts: 95
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Post by Amanda Joy on Feb 20, 2011 9:49:48 GMT -5
We made HUGE progress last night. I put his blanket, a snack, and one of his favorite toys in the kennel and left the door open. After about an hour of him laying in front of it whining, he walked in enough for me to close the door. He whined for maybe a minute then layed down. I let him out after a bit, took him potty, and played with him. Since he does most of his damage at night while we are sleeping, I got him to walk in right before bed. I was totally prepared to spend the night reassuring him that he was ok. He walked and laid down. Didnt hear a peep out of him until about 5 this morning and he just needed a potty break. I have never been so proud of him!
Now if I can only get him to walk on a leash without dislocating my arm!
Thanks for all the help!
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 20, 2011 10:26:30 GMT -5
No problem. Rocky spent the nights in the crate until he was at least 1 1/2 or 2 he would just go in at about 7pm and stay until I woke up at 7am. If he can do that then he will be able to stay when you run errands. If he seems nervous dont shut the door yet. Just reward him for being in there then shut the door. But I think all will be good when he realizes what a good safe place it is.
Dont be surprised if you have a set back. We had a few and had to carry the crate down to finished heated basement get out the portable dvd player and play relaxing or classical music this way I did not hear him whining and eventually he got tired of whining. He was new to our home then and quite young but he was already holding it for the night for a few weeks. This only happened a couple of times.
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Post by michele5611 on Feb 20, 2011 10:40:05 GMT -5
Agree with Carolann...don't worry about shutting the door yet. Just getting him to go in there is a good start.
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Post by suziriot on Feb 20, 2011 10:47:44 GMT -5
My suggested technique is the same as Carolann's. It works for even the most fearful dogs.  |
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 20, 2011 10:51:03 GMT -5
My suggested technique is the same as Carolann's. It works for even the most fearful dogs. Yes it does. My dad and I came up with the idea together. I was what I will call fostering a Doberman who had severe separation anxiety and was terrified of the crate. I had gotten her in there to the point of closing door took like 3 weeks just in time for her transport of 4 hours to the Doberman rescue. |
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Amanda Joy
Member
I loved bullies when bullies weren't cool!
Posts: 95
|
Post by Amanda Joy on Feb 21, 2011 8:06:49 GMT -5
VERY happy to report that night 2 with Buddy in his crate was amazing! I took him for his walk and when we got inside he walked in and laid down. At 6 when I got up to get my husband off for work, he woke up and waited patiently for me to get his leash and take him out.
Thanks for everyones advice and help!
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Post by tjamison2001 on Feb 21, 2011 11:48:09 GMT -5
Having a good chuckle reading over the post. So glad the training went well for you! This is how the hubby got Oreo to go in the crate:  |
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Amanda Joy
Member
I loved bullies when bullies weren't cool!
Posts: 95
|
Post by Amanda Joy on Feb 21, 2011 12:17:21 GMT -5
That is hilarious! There is no chance on this Earth that my husband would climb into his kennel! My 3 year old has been climbing into it and barking. The day we bought it, she cried for a good 20 minutes because I wouldnt let her take a nap in it!
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 21, 2011 14:19:17 GMT -5
Good to hear Buddy likes his crate.
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I look forward to learning much here