Destroying our house

[ecburt]

Exercise is the key! It does very little to just crate a dog...Also, I'd invest in a good knuckle bone when you crate..it'll keep the mind focused on chewing proper items.

[DaveS]

Crate and excerise. Before his morning and evening walks our 4 month old can't be trusted. After the walks he is calm and enjoys being with the family. He is always crated when we can't keep a watchful eye on him.

[Sam's Mom]

Yes, for the four or so hours you speak of, I agree a crate is the answer. I would walk him before and after he's crated to be sure he gets his excercise. And maybe offer him a special treat going in and out of the crate.

When we first got our crate (at about 6 mo old) we set it up and left the door open, put a comfy mat inside, and fed him treats in it. Before long he would hang out in the crate even if we were home. It was his safe place, his den. People who don't like the crate idea aren't thinking right...it is safe cozy place...all there own...and feels secure to them. Ever noticed a dog will lay under a table or in the corner? They like the whole protected feeling like a den in the wild.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by steph_21

I find it does help with Max, on some occasions, i know it does all come down to boredom but he trusts me whatever happens he never leaves my side and follows me everywhere, so i don't have to worry about him not trusting me.

It really does not help.

Dogs live in the HERE and NOW.... any correction or reward MUST be given in less than 2 seconds of the offending or wanted behavior in order for the dog to truly understand what he's being corrected or rewarded for!!!

Please do your dog a favor and read up on proper reward/correction/timing/etc...

If you punish your dog after the fact, the only thing you are doing is demonstrating to your dog that you can be considered dishonest, unpredictable, and untrustworthy. A dog understands a fair correction given in a timely manner, it reacts with 'guilt' (read: submission!)because of your tone/body language/decible level... not because it knows better!

Please check the archives in the training section of the forums. It would be in your best interest (and your dogs!) to learn about the basics of operant conditioning.

Welcome to the forums where education is encouraged!


To the OP:

Please look up crate training by performing a simple search in the tool bar above.

Providing a crate for your dog gives her a 'safe' spot in the house to chill. She can be easily trained by using positive reinforcement, and playing games.

Let us know how things go. Good luck.

[jenn8five]

my puppy was the same way. i followed the advice on here and now she is crated while i'm at work. it has been the best thing for her AND me! i no longer have to come home expecting to see this & that destroyed. when i get home, i know exactly where JB has been all day (in her crate) and all of my things remain untouched.

i have a Q for the experienced ones though -- once the dog gains the privilege of free roam, do they just "know" to stay away from things that they shouldn't chew/mess up?

[Marcino]

One word.... CRATE!

[moondog]

This is what happens when you give a puppy or grown adult freedoms that they have not earned. Not good for the dog, not good for the house.

Add me to the "Your puppy needs a crate" group.

[bubbles2006]

Hello
Thank you to everyone that has replyed to our post with your advise
A crate is the way to go for Bubbles
We are ordering a crate this evening, just a quick question
Is there any particular crate I should be looking to buy and what size would you recommend - bearing in mind I dont want to buy one every month with the rate she is growing!!!
Again thanks for your help and I will let you know how we get on (fingers crossed)

[dogsbydoug]

Originally Posted by jenn8five

i have a Q for the experienced ones though -- once the dog gains the privilege of free roam, do they just "know" to stay away from things that they shouldn't chew/mess up?

In my opinion and experience, yes.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by bubbles2006

Hello
Thank you to everyone that has replyed to our post with your advise
A crate is the way to go for Bubbles
We are ordering a crate this evening, just a quick question
Is there any particular crate I should be looking to buy and what size would you recommend - bearing in mind I dont want to buy one every month with the rate she is growing!!!
Again thanks for your help and I will let you know how we get on (fingers crossed)

Go ahead and get her a crate that will fit her as an adult. A 700 size should be sufficient for a bitch.

[Tywaknya'sBABY]

Originally Posted by jenn8five

i have a Q for the experienced ones though -- once the dog gains the privilege of free roam, do they just "know" to stay away from things that they shouldn't chew/mess up?

I'd be interested in the answer to this as well. Do they just get used to laying around all day or what?

[Canadianrotti]

With the crate, you can block off part of it so it is not too big, and adjust the partition as she grows. With my crate, 2 x 4 pieces of wood fit nicely through the bars, so I slide them through in an area that allows the dog just enough room to turn around and lie down comfortably, and NO MORE! This is very important because if there is too much room, the dog will still "mess" in its crate if it can still have room to lie down.

Also, it will take some time to get her use to the crate. Be very consistent about how you use it, and she will take to it much faster. Throw a few treats into it while you are there, and just let her go in and out. Then try closing the dor for just a sec, and reward. The biggest key is to only let her out when she is calm and quiet. If she is making a fuss, and you let her out, then she got exactly what she wanted, and will do it again and again.

Also, the rule of thumb with crate time is a dogs age in months plus 1 = every hour that is ok. ie. dog is 6 m/o, you can leave them for about 7 hrs.

Good luck.

[Canadianrotti]

Originally Posted by Tywaknya'sBABY

I'd be interested in the answer to this as well. Do they just get used to laying around all day or what?

when you start to wean from the crate, do it in small bits and build on success. If you have an "incident", back to the crate they go. They will figure it out sooner or later.

I feel that it also has to do with what you allow when you are there and they are "roaming fee". I don't put up with anything from my pup, no playing with socks, chewing on pants, hand or feet, dog toys only. The crate was put away with her when she was about 1 y/o, but again, every dog is different.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by jenn8five

i have a Q for the experienced ones though -- once the dog gains the privilege of free roam, do they just "know" to stay away from things that they shouldn't chew/mess up?

Originally Posted by Tywaknya'sBABY

I'd be interested in the answer to this as well. Do they just get used to laying around all day or what?

They don't "know" to leave things alone....they simply lose interest in items they have been conditioned through experience to perceive as not available and therefore are not interesting (meaning they have been redirected to appropriate playthings enough that the other items hold no interest).

[spoiledbabies3]

Sorry...duplicate post