Being tested this morning

[GatorCH]

So, I was feeling bad because it seems as though Caesar always bunches up his sleeping linen on the bottom of his crate so he ends up laying on the plastic liner. I went out and bought a large cedar pillow which he proceeded to tear open and destroy. Not much I can do at this point. My son fed the dogs this morning and, after dropping him off at school, I took them each for a walk, rotty first. I provided each a peanutbutter stuffed kong for entertainment while the other was gone. When I returned home with the boxer, I find Caesar has broken out of his crate again. (As I'm writing this I hear strange noises and I go in to find him forcing his way out yet again!) Apparently I've placed the new retaining chain too high up on the crate which is allowing him to force the bottom of the crate open wide enough to squeeze out. He's really testing me this morning.

Jeez, even after all that, while I was finishing this message, he was trying again to get out. I know it's not a potty issue as we just went before I came in to start writing this. Any constructive suggestions?

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by GatorCH

Jeez, even after all that, while I was finishing this message, he was trying again to get out. I know it's not a potty issue as we just went before I came in to start writing this. Any constructive suggestions?

I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way but, if you're home.........why is he in the crate?

[GatorCH]

I put them in their crates for a time in the mornings while I prepare for work. Once the work day starts, I'm able to keep close tabs on them as long as I'm well-prepared. Usually 45 minutes to an hour which they normally use to rest up from our early activities. It's become a routine. Maybe all the changes being introduced are too much at one time?

[mmgy]

Originally Posted by GatorCH

I put them in their crates for a time in the mornings while I prepare for work. Usually 45 minutes to an hour which they normally use to rest up from our early activities. It's become a routine.

We do this too. Handle the dog chores, then they rest while we get ourselves going.

Your guys may be too young and rowdy for nice beds right now. I know you feel sorry for them, but unless you're watching them, (beds are like some toys) they might need to be more mature before they can have fluffy bedding.

My brits didn't have anything nice till they were two!

[Judi W]

This guy has 2 pups that are turning into a dog gang and they need to learn to be separated.

Get some large snap hooks and put one every 4 or 5 inches around the door.

Also, why insist the dog lie on something (dog bed) that it doesn't want to? Don't make things harder than necessary.

[MARYDVM]

He is trying to get out because he knows he can. After achieving success in the past, he will try much harder, many different times, before finally accepting the confinement. And he will test any new crate you put him in as well.

[GatorCH]

Judy, are you saying that their crates need to be separated as well? I have a decent-sized house but my first thought is where would I put it? Would a visual divider between the crates suffice?

[babybluetx23]

Originally Posted by GatorCH

So, I was feeling bad because it seems as though Caesar always bunches up his sleeping linen on the bottom of his crate so he ends up laying on the plastic liner. I went out and bought a large cedar pillow which he proceeded to tear open and destroy. Not much I can do at this point. My son fed the dogs this morning and, after dropping him off at school, I took them each for a walk, rotty first. I provided each a peanutbutter stuffed kong for entertainment while the other was gone. When I returned home with the boxer, I find Caesar has broken out of his crate again. (As I'm writing this I hear strange noises and I go in to find him forcing his way out yet again!) Apparently I've placed the new retaining chain too high up on the crate which is allowing him to force the bottom of the crate open wide enough to squeeze out. He's really testing me this morning.

Jeez, even after all that, while I was finishing this message, he was trying again to get out. I know it's not a potty issue as we just went before I came in to start writing this. Any constructive suggestions?

Ok Two things.....

I put a bed in harleys crate and he pushes it off to the side and sleeps on the plastic flooring too. After watching his actions around the house (ie taking naps on the tile, taking naps on the bottom level of our coffee table which is made of glass. He is a cold sleeper. He would MUCH rather sleep on a cold hard surface then he would a warm comfy bed.

#2: You may want to try turning on music or a TV in the room that the crates are in. They may have seperation anxiety from either you or from one another or maybe even a combo of both.

Good luck

[JDUCE]

I agree with babybluetx23, Duce loves to sleep on a cold surface. In the winter he will lay on his blankets/towels during the night. In the day, he will push them to one side and just lay on the plastic liner. He also likes to dig at the liner to let us know he is ready to get out of bed. . . . :p At this time I make him wait until I am ready to let him out. Its funny, he will lay on the kitchen tile them get up an lay next to the heater. Funny dog. My advice go to Goodwill and get towels and blankets. This way you don't care if they wreck their crate liners. (Duce also has a habit of chewing on the corners of the towels.)

Good luck

[Dans2Rotts]

My 2 dogs are the same as Jduces and Baby's they cant stand sleeping on anything that helps hold in the heat. I tried the dog pillow and they just sat in there panting and whinning. Until i took the pillows out of there crates. As for the getting out i agree with the others now that he knows he can do it he will try every time he probly thinks its a game.
Good Luck :)

[Journey77]

Only if it is cold will my four dogs sleep on anything but they first have to tear whatever it is up. We do not keep toys or sleeping articles when alone (unless they are outside and its cold). All of my same sex dogs have to be separated. If they are in the indoor kennel (10X5), they are separated by a piece of wood we bought at Home Depot. This works out great!